If the .com version is taken but i don't want the .net and .org domains, only the .co.uk domain will that domain be able to rank against the .com in worldwide searches?
Why not? It's a top level domain, And it tells people that it's a UK business website ... not like .com that goes internationally .com, co.uk, .net, .info ... can rank better because it's PR, content and authority with SEs.
If you are targeting a worldwide audience i wouldnt go fro a .co.uk. Thats just my opinion as im not sure how it will affect your rankings
A CC TLD will sometimes do better than a .com. The usual other factors will make a difference, like optimisation and content. Certainly, we have clients who rank very well indeed with the .co.uk alternative. Saying that, if its to actually attract a global audience online as much as the local one then sourcing a near enough domain to the preferred choice is still the way I would go. If I couldnt find one then I would then be happy with the CC TLD in my preferred keyword/s.
If you are targeting a worldwide audience,CC tld is not good. If most of your audience are in UK, co.uk is fine,IMO
First option is to try to buy the .com. But if that doesn't work I'd rather go for the .net or perhaps even the .eu. gTLDs comes before any ccTLDs if your aming for a global market. Atleast imho.
According to Matt Cutts, Google look at: - IP Address - gTLD {(Generic Top Level Domain) like .com or .net or .org} - ccTLD {(Country Code Top Level Domain) like .us (United Stated), .ca (Canada), .in (India)}
Think of it this way, you have a site, you promote it to me, but I only remember the name of the site, without the domain ending. The first thing I will try is a .com
^ That's true and it's as important a factor as any. Bear in mind also that Google favours UK domains in search results when users search in the UK, but not when they search Google.com... it's only one of many factors but it's still a factor. And people outside the UK won't be familar with .co.uk so you will be making life that little bit harder for yourself from the outset in that respect as well.
Well i made the mistake of letting the domain drop in 2002, and when i got around to wanting to use that name again it was taken, guess i will just have to move onto a new name!
If you want to look professional, then you want .com or .net. If it is only a local service then .co.uk would be fine though.
I dont agree with that at all Get a .com over a .net or .info if pos but if your site is aimed and highly targeted at a certain country then get the ccTLD for example your setting up an e ecommerce site in the spainish language with prices in euros get the .es Sure get the .com too if its free but work with ccTLD I have seen the ccTLDs of domains ranking above the .com or other gTLDs To the OP get the .co.uk