Key facts
- .uk, .co.uk and .org.uk are run by Nominet; .com is run by a different registry under ICANN rules.
- A .co.uk or .uk signals a UK business to UK customers.
- .com suits businesses with an international audience.
- .uk domains transfer by changing the IPS tag; .com uses an auth code.
- The .uk rights period for .co.uk owners ended on 25 June 2019; any unregistered .uk is now first come, first served.
- Owning both and redirecting one protects your name.
- Search, register and renew both in the dijitul client portal.
The short answer
If your customers are mainly in the UK, a .co.uk or .uk is a natural choice. It tells people you are local, and good names are often still available. If you sell internationally, or want one name for everywhere, a .com makes sense.
For most small UK businesses the best answer is both: register the matching .co.uk (or .uk) and .com, use one as your main address and redirect the other to it. That protects your name from copycats and catches people who type the wrong ending. See choosing a domain name.
.uk vs .com side by side
| Factor | .uk / .co.uk | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Registry | Nominet | A separate registry, under ICANN rules |
| Audience signal | UK business | International or no country |
| Availability | Good names often still free | Short, common names mostly taken |
| Who can register | Anyone; .ltd.uk and .plc.uk must match a company name | Anyone |
| Transfers | Change the IPS tag; no auth code | Auth code (EPP code); usually within 5 days |
| Transfer adds a year? | No | Normally yes |
| Expiry | Suspended 30 days after expiry; renewable to day 90 | Registrar grace period, then 30-day redemption |
| Privacy | Nominet hides individuals' address by default | Most registrars redact personal data; privacy services available |
Availability and the .uk rights
Because .com has been around longer and is used worldwide, short and obvious names are mostly taken. A matching .co.uk is often easier to find. The shorter .uk ending is newer still.
Owners of .co.uk names had reserved rights to the matching .uk until 25 June 2019. That period has ended, so any unregistered .uk is now first come, first served. If you own a .co.uk and not the .uk, it is worth checking whether someone else could take it. Other UK options include .org.uk for non-commercial organisations and .me.uk for personal sites. See .co.uk domain names, .com domain names and how to register a .uk domain.
Transfers, renewals and privacy
The two families follow different rules. A .uk domain moves to a new registrar when the IPS tag is changed to the receiving registrar's tag. There is no auth code, ownership is unchanged and no year is added. A .com uses an auth code: remove the transfer lock, request the code, give it to the new registrar and approve any confirmation. It usually completes within 5 days and normally adds a year. A registrar may refuse a .com transfer within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer.
On privacy, Nominet hides individual registrants' addresses in WHOIS by default. For .com, most registrars redact personal data since GDPR, and privacy services can replace contact details. See domain privacy and transferring a .co.uk domain.
How dijitul helps
Search, register and renew .uk, .co.uk, .com and other endings in the dijitul client portal, with live prices, all in your name. We can then set up domain forwarding so your second domain redirects to your main one, and point email at the right place. One domain registration or renewal a year is included free with dijihost Complete Hosting (£1 a day + VAT) on common extensions. For several names, see multiple domains for business.
Frequently asked questions
Is .co.uk or .com better for a UK business?
For a business selling mainly in the UK, .co.uk or .uk is usually the clearer signal to customers, and good names are easier to find. If you trade internationally, .com may suit better. Many UK businesses own both and redirect one to the other.
What is the difference between .uk and .co.uk?
Both are UK domains run by Nominet. The shorter .uk ending launched later. Owners of .co.uk names had reserved rights to the matching .uk until 25 June 2019; since then any unregistered .uk is first come, first served.
Do I need an auth code to transfer a .co.uk?
No. A .co.uk or .uk transfers when the IPS tag is changed to the receiving registrar's tag. Ownership stays the same and no year is added. A .com transfer is different and uses an auth code from your current registrar.
Should I buy both the .co.uk and the .com?
Usually, yes. Owning both protects your name from copycats and catches visitors who type the wrong ending. Pick one as your main address for the website and email, and redirect the other to it so search engines see one site.
Can anyone register a .uk domain?
Yes, .uk, .co.uk and .org.uk are open to anyone, with no checks on .org.uk. The exceptions are .ltd.uk and .plc.uk, which must match a registered company name. .com is also open to anyone, anywhere.
Where can I check if my .uk and .com are available?
Search in the dijitul client portal at clients.dijitul.uk, which shows live availability and prices and lets you register both in your name. One domain registration or renewal a year is included free with dijihost Complete Hosting on common extensions.
Related
Find and register your domain
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