is .ORG alright to use for a business website?

[homeriscool]

Hi everyone, i just want to know your comments on a .org for a business. The .com has been registered and the 2 best alternatives are .net or .org . To me the .net does not sound that appealing but the .org kind of portrays trust and value.

What are your opinions on doing this?

 

[Timoxendale]

You could do but if I saw an online store with .org I would tend to think it’s a bit dodgy and I wouldn’t use it, you would be better off with a .com or .co.uk, have you tried a slight variation of the domain name you want? Also shorter the domain the better! What’s the name of the domain you want? Might be able to help with some suggestions?

 

[RadiusBPO]

I'm using some .org with great effect.

 

[homeriscool]

I just purchased a .org.uk as i didn't want to target a worldwide audience. I hope this goes ok. The .com or .uk were both registered...

 

[funkykitsch]

Hi everyone, i just want to know your comments on a .org for a business. The .com has been registered and the 2 best alternatives are .net or .org . To me the .net does not sound that appealing but the .org kind of portrays trust and value.

What are your opinions on doing this?

if you do decide to buy a .org and personally i wouldn't advise it for business but it's up to you...godaddy you can get 50% off the domain name using "fan749".

 

[goldmercury]

org.uk is fine - google will like that and you'll rank higher because your TDL is local

 

[sambarnes90]

You should really be registering the two that are available plus the local TLD (top level domain or domain extension).

In business terms, 30 quid or so a year for 3 domains is not much.

It wont make any difference using the .org or .net for SEO, but having the local domain I.e. .co.uk could help you rank a bit better in the UK. Just 301 direct all the domains to the one website.

Sent from my HTC Desire using UK Business Forums

 

[homeriscool]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Its much appreciated.

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

Hi everyone, i just want to know your comments on a .org for a business. The .com has been registered and the 2 best alternatives are .net or .org . To me the .net does not sound that appealing but the .org kind of portrays trust and value.

What are your opinions on doing this?

No. You immediately lose brand recognition. You need the .com or .co.uk and in an ideal situation, both.

Your options would be:

- buy the .com, .co.uk (assuming they are available)
- if you own the trademark and can prove proof of ownership before these domains were used, look at options to get the domains
- choose a different brand to trade as online
- choose a different business name

You really don't want to make a .org or .org.uk a primary business domain. It dents your credibility, it loses you brand traffic, it creates an identity crisis... I could go on

Good luck
Matt

 

[fx7solutions]

Purpose of .org TLD is slightly different than .com or .net.

.org means organisation and especially it means non-profit organisation. It is good for associations, charities etc. If I am thinking about .org domain I am thinking about non-commercial activity, so as Timoxendale mentioned, I would consider online store using .org domain as dodgy.

The same applies to .org.uk TLD.

 

[funkykitsch]

Purpose of .org TLD is slightly different than .com or .net.

.org means organisation and especially it means non-profit organisation. It is good for associations, charities etc. If I am thinking about .org domain I am thinking about non-commercial activity, so as Timoxendale mentioned, I would consider online store using .org domain as dodgy.

The same applies to .org.uk TLD.

yep fx7 is right .org is for charities...

 

[homeriscool]

No. You immediately lose brand recognition. You need the .com or .co.uk and in an ideal situation, both.

Your options would be:

- buy the .com, .co.uk (assuming they are available)
- if you own the trademark and can prove proof of ownership before these domains were used, look at options to get the domains
- choose a different brand to trade as online
- choose a different business name

You really don't want to make a .org or .org.uk a primary business domain. It dents your credibility, it loses you brand traffic, it creates an identity crisis... I could go on

Good luck
Matt

Hi matt, i have taken on board what you have advised me. The .com and .co.uk versions have both been registered but are not in use. I am going to get a refund on the .org.uk and register the .net instead. Theres no way i can get hold of the other domains

 

[fx7solutions]

Before you do that think for a moment about purpose of .net domains. For the difference, they are supposed to be used by internet and hosting providers. This TLD is supposed to serve NETwork infrastructure providers. I would say that it is very good if you sell hosting, domains, broadband etc and it popularity has fallen within last few years.

At the other hand it is much better than .org/.org.uk.

 

[sambarnes90]

The original definitions of the TLDs have not mattered for a long time.

.net isn't just for networks anymore, .org isn't just for charities.

They are all gTLDs and can be used for any kind of website and I don't think 90% of the public know their original use anyway.

Sent from my HTC Desire using UK Business Forums

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

The original definitions of the TLDs have not mattered for a long time.

.net isn't just for networks anymore, .org isn't just for charities.

They are all gTLDs and can be used for any kind of website and I don't think 90% of the public know their original use anyway.

Sent from my HTC Desire using UK Business Forums

You're missing the point. It isn't about intended use which I agree, it doesn't really matter these days.

Let's say that the OP builds up quite a brand name for himself. What happens when all of that hard work and money thrown at branding is wasted because people will automatically type in the .co.uk or the .com?

 

[S-Marketing]

I agree with Matt, although it does depend on its intended use.

If you want a keyword rich domain to have a crack at making a swift few quid from lead gen etc from a certain market the .org or .net will probably do. If you want to build a business over time, make sure you have the .com and .co.uk at least.

 

[Tin]

Let's say that the OP builds up quite a brand name for himself. What happens when all of that hard work and money thrown at branding is wasted because people will automatically type in the .co.uk or the .com?

I think that's a good point and being honest, I never notice many .net domains whenever I browse the net. Are you sure you've examined your .co.uk and .com domain choices fully? Quite often you can pick up decent domains by adding something small at the start or end of your choice when your preferred domains have been purchased long ago. Try sticking a "the" on the front, does it make sense? Or a "uk" on the end, does that work?

Make absolutely sure you've chosen the most appropriate domain before you begin building outwards.

Hope that's helpful

Ray

 

[funkykitsch]

i'm sure you can add a few hyphens in there - i would always buy a .co.uk or .com and like other people have suggested use letters and numbers like A1,4u,2,the etc.etc. you could always try a double hyphen - although i've never seen it in a domain name...you could be the first!

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

i'm sure you can add a few hyphens in there - i would always buy a .co.uk or .com and like other people have suggested use letters and numbers like A1,4u,2,the etc.etc. you could always try a double hyphen - although i've never seen it in a domain name...you could be the first!

You get exactly the same problem with a hyphen. People leave them out and go to a different website.

.com and .co.uk is king.

 

[funkykitsch]

You get exactly the same problem with a hyphen. People leave them out and go to a different website.

.com and .co.uk is king.

i'm not disputing that - but if a domain isn't available - it isn't available and most people get to websites by clicking on links so it doesn't matter to a large extent, i would suggest as long as it is keyword rich and is a relevent TLD that is the most important things to consider. You could try and offer the owners to buy the domain from them - obviously it's going to cost you...but if it's just doing nothing as a lot are then you might get it for a few hundred pounds...worth a try - just go to whois and e-mail them and see if it is available.

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

Yep, what I am saying is that choose a business name that has a relevant domain name available. If you have to change your business name, so be it. If you have to buy a domain on the aftermarket, so be it.

From my position, I see so many great websites that we host but with poor or mediocre domains that will leak traffic to better domains. A good domain is a worthwhile investment and if it is good, you won't lose money on it.

The likes of www.sedo.co.uk, www.namejet.com etc make buying domains on the aftermarket very easy.

 

[homeriscool]

whats your opinion on putting 4u on the end of a keyword rich domain?
I personally don't really like it and maybe the type of business it is determines whether its suited or not....

 

[webstore]

Best way to determine the popularity of a site like yours using .org is to enter a selection of different keywords into Google that surfers are most likely to use to find a site like yours.

If the first few pages come out as a mix of .co.uk and .com (which I suspect is going to be the case) then you'll know if you are going to struggle with a .org in SERPs

My suggestion is to remain focused to try and find a suitable .co.uk
.

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

whats your opinion on putting 4u on the end of a keyword rich domain?
I personally don't really like it and maybe the type of business it is determines whether its suited or not....

My opinion - its amateurish.

 

[homeriscool]

My opinion - its amateurish.

yeah me too - damn this is hard Thanks for your help guys - much appreciated

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

yeah me too - damn this is hard Thanks for your help guys - much appreciated

Have you looked on the aftermarket to see what is available?

If you are a local or a regional business, I see no problem with including this in the domain.

If you are national, stuff like "ABConline" isn't necessarily bad.

 

[funkykitsch]

can you pm with the url you are thinking about and maybe i can have a go at recommending what i would get if i was in your position - i won't usurp you honest!

 

[S-Marketing]

What industry are you in?

 

[Faevilangel]

I have said this to numerous clients, and they always see my thinking, but Matt has already approached it so I will just reiterate...

If a non-techie web user sees your website name, they will remember the identifier of the domain e.g. google, facebook etc, when they get to a PC they are likely to do the following:

1) Add a .com / .co.uk to the name to see if the company name comes up
2) Search on Google and land on the .com / .co.uk option

.org is relatively unknown and will lose you customers, you need a .com or .co.uk for the non-techies who aren't sure about the numerous domain extensions available.

Don't think about the domain identifier, get the right extension first.

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

I have said this to numerous clients, and they always see my thinking, but Matt has already approached it so I will just reiterate...

If a non-techie web user sees your website name, they will remember the identifier of the domain e.g. google, facebook etc, when they get to a PC they are likely to do the following:

1) Add a .com / .co.uk to the name to see if the company name comes up
2) Search on Google and land on the .com / .co.uk option

.org is relatively unknown and will lose you customers, you need a .com or .co.uk for the non-techies who aren't sure about the numerous domain extensions available.

Don't think about the domain identifier, get the right extension first.

You just said it more eloquently than I did

 

[fx7solutions]

I have said this to numerous clients, and they always see my thinking, but Matt has already approached it so I will just reiterate...

If a non-techie web user sees your website name, they will remember the identifier of the domain e.g. google, facebook etc, when they get to a PC they are likely to do the following:

1) Add a .com / .co.uk to the name to see if the company name comes up
2) Search on Google and land on the .com / .co.uk option

.org is relatively unknown and will lose you customers, you need a .com or .co.uk for the non-techies who aren't sure about the numerous domain extensions available.

Don't think about the domain identifier, get the right extension first.

100% agree!