Should You Buy a .Co Domain?

When the Internet first got its start, the number of domains used was quite limited. The actual record of the first website was one at the address info.cern.ch, a resource created to help with automated information sharing among scientists in institutes and universities all over the world. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, created this website in 1991 to provide information on the World Wide Web Project. 

Bear in mind, that although websites were newer concepts, domains have been discovered with registration dates all the way back to 1985. First came Symbolics.com, which is now dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Internet and domains. Today, there are endless options for domain names. We’ve gone beyond .com and .org to everything from .biz to .io to .co, and so much more. So, how are you supposed to choose the right domain?

What is a .co domain?

GoDaddy released the .co domain in July 2010 to offer a .com alternative because so many domains and website names had already been claimed. It is essentially the next best thing to a .com address, and as many as 75% of those using the domain are doing so in a business capacity. 

This domain gets a lot of good attention because it causes users to associate it with words like “company” and therefore will assume it’s a business URL. What most people don’t realize is that .co domains are a bit more expensive than the popular .com domain option. This is done to avoid what happened with the .com boom: entities bought all the domains so they could be resold at exorbitant prices. 

Starting at a higher price point keeps the .co domain from suffering the same fate. 

Is a .co domain going to impact my search rankings? 

Some worry that choosing to go with the .co option instead of a .com site will affect their ranking in Google and other search engine results. Google does recognize this domain as a top-level website and all websites will be treated just as if they had a .com address. 

The only thing that is going to affect your search rankings is if you don’t take the time to optimize your content. Where you choose to host your site isn’t going to have any bearing on how your website ranks. Your search rankings will be impacted by things like how relevant your content is, what keywords you use, and what kind of brand reputation you’ve built for your business online. 

When search engine indexers are looking for indicators to rank websites, the URL is only a factor in so much as it provides a relevant, easy-to-remember address. Google isn’t going to care if it’s .com, .org, .co, or anything else. What matters is the actual address that you choose, or business name, so keep that in mind. For example, HP.com was one of the first .com websites registered back in the 1980s. Why didn’t Hewlett Packard choose to use their full name? Well, just look at how much easier it is to remember HP.com than HewlettPackard.com when you want to go looking for a printer. 

Benefits of a .co website

First, this domain offers just as much safety and security as .com and other domains. Therefore, people don’t have to worry that they’re going to get hacked or risk any serious security threats when they choose this domain option. Because it makes people think “co” like a company or corporation, it gets the recognition that your business needs. 

It’s easy to remember and even though it costs a little more, a .co domain is going to be a reliable choice that gets results. A .co address is also just one letter away from .com domains, so it will be easy for people to find your business even if they forget the exact domain suffix. 

A .co website lets people know that your business is a serious business that’s ready to interact and engage online. It is well worth the investment for most people who need a reliable, high-quality domain to host their online presence. 

Choosing a domain name 

Obviously, the first and ideal option will be to use the company name or a form of that name, as the URL (DavisRepairShop.co or davisrepairs.co). First, however, you will need to think about the length. Keep the website name short and sweet so that it’s easy for people to remember. Use keywords when you can, too, because that will ensure that it gets noticed. 

If you have a brand name, acronym, slogan, or other catchy content that would make for a good URL, consider using that, too. It doesn’t always have to just be the business name and the domain name. People really like companies that take the time for a little creativity and fun these days. 

A domain name is everything, and so is the host. Make sure that you take the time to learn all about .co domains and figure out which ones you can purchase. It’s a good rule of thumb not to use a .co domain that someone already has a .com website for because that can create a lot of confusion. However, you should feel free to employ the use of a .co website when you want something professional that stands out. 

With all the new leads, will you be ready?

Now that you’ve got a website that’s set up and ready to generate leads, do you have all the right systems in place? Start with a 24/7 answering service to ensure you never miss a lead and partner with the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai to get assistance with lead intake, appointment scheduling, and even live website chat in addition to call answering and more. 

We’ll help you create a strategy to manage all your admin and communications needs and make sure that nothing gets overlooked. We can even help you with outreach campaigns once you get your new website launched, so schedule a consultation or reach out to us at hello@smith.ai to learn more.

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