If you’ve ever searched for a website and noticed it ends in .com or co.uk, you’re not alone in wondering—what’s the difference? And does it really matter which one you pick for your business?
We get this question all the time from our clients at Amphiseo, especially small business owners who are building their first website or looking to rebrand.
It’s a small detail that feels easy to overlook, but to be honest, your domain extension can make a difference in how your business shows up online, who it reaches, and even how trustworthy it appears.
We thought it was about time we broke it down for our wider community – because if our clients are asking, chances are you’re wondering too.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what domain extensions are, how .com and co.uk differ, and which one is better depending on your business goals.
Whether you’re targeting local customers or dreaming big with international ambitions, we’ve got practical, jargon-free advice to help you make the right call.
Let’s get into it.
What is the difference between .com and .co.uk?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
.com stands for commercial and is one of the oldest and most widely recognised domain extensions. It’s used all over the world and doesn’t tie your business to any specific location.
.co.uk is specific to the United Kingdom. If your website ends in this, it signals to search engines (and people) that you’re likely a UK-based business or targeting UK customers.
What Are Domain Extensions?
Let’s start simple. A domain extension is the bit that comes after your website name – like .com, .co.uk, .org or even newer ones like .london or .shop
They’re technically called top-level domains (TLDs), and while they might seem like just another internet thing, they do actually serve a purpose.
They help users and search engines understand a bit more about your website – like where you’re based, what you do, or who you’re trying to reach.
At Amphiseo, we like to think of domain extensions like little digital accents. A .co.uk sounds like you’re from London or Leeds. A .com sounds international – like your business could be based anywhere.
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Choosing between .com and .co.uk
This is where things get a little more strategic.
When you’re choosing between .com and .co.uk it’s not just about what looks right—it’s about what works best for your audience and goals.
Here’s how we guide our clients through it:
Go for .co.uk if:
Your business is based in the UK.
You mainly serve UK customers or want to focus on the local market.
You want to show up in UK-specific search results.
You want that “shop local” vibe that makes you feel more trustworthy to British customers.
Choose .com if:
You’re targeting customers outside of the UK or have plans to expand internationally.
Your brand feels more global or universal.
You want something simple and familiar – .com is still the most recognised domain extension worldwide.
Bonus tip: Some businesses actually buy both and redirect one to the other. That way, you’re covered if someone types in the wrong one, and you protect your brand name from imitators.
Which Is Best for SEO – .com or .co.uk?
Here’s the bit where our SEO clients lean in.
Both .com and .co.uk can be great for SEO—but they’re useful in different ways.
.co.uk helps your site rank better in UK-specific Google searches. So if you’re a restaurant business owner in Chesterfield or a café in Sheffield, Google will understand you’re a local business and try to show your site to local searchers.
.com doesn’t have a location attached to it. That means if your content is relevant to users in multiple countries, .com gives you more flexibility. But to rank well in different countries, you’ll also need the right setup behind the scenes (think language tags, region targeting, etc.).
So, it’s not that one is better than the other – it’s more about what you want your SEO to do. If you’re focused on your local area, .co.uk gives you that home advantage. If you’re aiming beyond the UK, .com might be the smarter move.
We always remind our clients: SEO isn’t just about what domain you pick. It’s about the content, technical setup, and strategy behind it.
The domain just helps point things in the right direction.
Is .com domain better for business credibility?
This is a great question—and one that comes up a lot.
There’s still a sense that .com feels a bit more “official” or polished.
It’s what most people are used to seeing, especially outside the UK. So if you’re thinking about global branding, or appealing to a wider audience, .com might give you that slightly more universal feel.
But here in the UK, co.uk is just as credible. In fact, it can work in your favour if you’re all about local trust, supporting the community, or attracting UK customers who prefer to “buy British.”
We’ve worked with clients who’ve leaned into .co.uk because it aligns perfectly with their brand, and others who’ve gone with .com to keep things simple and scalable.
So again, it comes down to your business, audience, and where you want to go next.
Get more marketing tips from our expert team
At Amphiseo, we’re all about helping small businesses show up online in ways that feel smart, sustainable, and true to who you are. Whether you’re picking your domain, launching a new site, or trying to figure out why your competitors are ranking higher than you—we’re here to help.
We don’t believe in jargon or one-size-fits-all advice. We believe in building strategies that work for your goals, your audience, and your budget.
👉 Ready to get clearer on your next marketing move?
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