Domain Branding: Use .co.uk or .com?

[adnan278]

Hey guys,

I've got a new site coming out (and its in the automotive niche). I've managed to buy the .co.uk and .com domain names, however, I'm not sure which I should use as the main site.

Most of the content will be relevant for international traffic, but at the same time, I want to try and become a leading brand in the UK.

If I choose the .co.uk and redirect the .com to it, will this hamper my efforts in the US Google.com Search Engine (as I know that this has the potential to bring me most traffic)?

Or should I put all the content on the .com and redirect the .co.uk whilst sacrificing branding opportunities and recognition here in the UK?

Also to redirect one TLD to the other, should I just use a normal 301?

Any advice you could give me would be much appreciated!

[Dr Googler]

i would say use the .com , then you have like 200x more worldwide audience, and put a redirect on the .co.uk, but dont get it google listed.

[Magawr]

I'll agree with the above, it's most logical to simply use the .com

If you base it on the .co.uk as your primary, you will be severely limiting your audience, website traffic / visitors etc and your potential profits.

If you had stated that the site was content based not on an international audience and was more purely intended just for the UK market, even then I would likely say, use .com over the .co.uk even though in a recent survey, 60% of the UK population prefer the .co.uk over the .com extension.

You just cannot go wrong on the .com - it really is your most logical, commonsense action to take.

I hope this was helpful and is of some assistance to you in drawing a conclusion on this matter.

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Mark

[adnan278]

Thanks for the responses Dr Googler and Magawr.

OK - I'll probably go with putting the main content on the .com and redirecting the .co.uk.

Would it be best to simply use a 301 redirect using .htaccess?

[Magawr]

I think so, yes.