In short
- When choosing a domain name for mainly UK customers, a .co.uk is the safe, familiar choice.
- Pick a name that is short, easy to say and easy to spell. Avoid hyphens and numbers.
- Check the name isn’t someone else’s trade mark before you buy it.
Your domain name is your address online. It goes on your van, your business cards and every email you send, so it is worth ten minutes of thought before you buy. Here is how to choose a good one, and which ending to pick.
.co.uk, .uk or .com?
All three work the same way. The difference is what they tell people about your business.
| Ending | Best for | Price at HostDingo |
|---|---|---|
| .co.uk | Businesses that mainly serve UK customers. The ending most people in the UK expect. | £11.99 a year |
| .uk | A shorter UK address. Good if the .co.uk is taken, or as a second address that points to the same site. | £11.99 a year |
| .com | Businesses that sell abroad, or want an international feel. | £18.99 a year |
Both .co.uk and .uk are run by Nominet, the UK’s official registry. If you can, register the .co.uk and the .uk together and point both at the same website. It costs little and stops anyone else using the other one.
Six tips for choosing a domain name
- Keep it short. Fewer letters means fewer typing mistakes, and it fits on a van.
- Make it easy to say. Say it out loud over the phone. If you have to spell it, simplify it.
- Skip hyphens and numbers. People forget them, and “4” or “four” causes confusion.
- Use your business name if you can. If it is taken, add your town or trade, like smithplumbingleeds.co.uk.
- Think about email. You’ll write it as you@yourname.co.uk for years, so it should look good in that form too.
- Look for double meanings. Read it with no spaces. Some names spell something you didn’t mean.
Check it isn’t someone else’s
When choosing a domain name, remember that a domain being available doesn’t mean you can use the name. Before you buy, search the UK trade mark register on GOV.UK and check Companies House for businesses with the same name. It takes five minutes and can save a lot of trouble later.
Tip: when choosing a domain name, check what it will cost to renew, not just the first year. At HostDingo a .co.uk is £11.99 to register and £11.99 to renew.
Use it for email too
An email address on your own domain looks more trustworthy than a free webmail address, and it stays yours if you ever change provider. It is one more reason choosing a domain name you are happy with matters: you will use it every single day. Our business email plans start at £3.99 a month for five mailboxes.
Ready to search?
Type your business name into the domain search and see what is free. If you take our Pack or Alpha hosting plan, your first year of a .co.uk or .uk is included.
Common questions
Can I move a domain I already own to HostDingo?
Yes. Transferring a .co.uk or .uk to us is free. For other endings, the transfer price includes a year of renewal.
Does the ending affect my Google ranking?
A .co.uk or .uk tells Google your site is aimed at the UK, which can help with UK searches. Beyond that, good content and a fast website matter far more than the ending.
Should I buy more than one domain name?
Often, yes. When choosing a domain name, it is worth registering the .co.uk and the .uk together, plus any common misspelling if it is cheap. Point them all at the same website, so visitors land in the right place whichever one they type, and nobody else can use them.
