Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory?

Dlife · 11th Mar 2016, 07:10 AM

Hi,

I have a big multi language website that is available through multiple domain names for each country. For the countries/languages that I do not cover, I use '.com'. Users from Britain can use '.co.uk' but also '.com', this is no issue to me.

After looking into Analytics however, I noticed a major difference in conversions. British users on .co.uk barely reach my goals, they visit less pages per session and the session length is also very short. On .com everything seems a lot better.

The sites are duplicates of each other, so I would've expected .co.uk to perform better. Is there a possible theory behind this? It isn't a problem, I just would like to learn more and find out why this is happening. I just don't know where to begin.

danieldesai · 11th Mar 2016, 07:20 AM

My guess is that people are simply just more used to .com domains, as opposed to other TLDs (even if it's from their native country).

Dot com domains have been around since the dawn of the internet and TLDs, and as such people probably subconsciously trust them more.

Not to mention, .com looks more professional to most people.

Regards,
Daniel

reachintan · 11th Mar 2016, 07:22 AM

.com domain is the most universal domain appealing to a broader audience more than any other domain extension.

If you still need reasons to go for a .com domain, do check out this article https://domainate.wordpress.com/2011...siness-domain/ to have a clear understanding.

Chintan

Dlife · 11th Mar 2016, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by reachintan

.com domain is the most universal domain appealing to a broader audience more than any other domain extension.

If you still need reasons to go for a .com domain, do check out this article https://domainate.wordpress.com/2011...siness-domain/ to have a clear understanding.

Chintan

Thank you for the reply!

Interesting article! I do see that they list some exceptions though, for example:

"If you’re a German company selling to German customers, get a .de instead of a .com as you’ll better target your market."

That's something similar that I basically find anywhere on the internet. It makes sense for sure, but in my situation it just doesn't do what the writers of the articles expect. Perhaps .co.uk is an exception to this because the domain names use the same languages?

This isn't about a few visitors, but a website with multiple millions of unique visitors a month. There clearly is a preference somehow. There's hundred thousands more British visitors on .co.uk, but more conversions on .com. It's still a little mystery to me.

screensquid · 11th Mar 2016, 01:02 PM

Although you're directing uk users to a domain that is localized, the internet is a global resource and .com holds the most authority.

.co.uk is more relevant, but .com is more trustworthy. This is why you're getting more conversions on .com

over9000 · 14th Mar 2016, 01:40 AM

Com are the most common and used than a .co.uk . Hard to find people outside England which often opens a .co.uk webpages.

11th Mar 2016, 07:10 AM	#1
Dlife Warrior Member Join Date: 2016 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory? Share on: Hi, I have a big multi language website that is available through multiple domain names for each country. For the countries/languages that I do not cover, I use '.com'. Users from Britain can use '.co.uk' but also '.com', this is no issue to me. After looking into Analytics however, I noticed a major difference in conversions. British users on .co.uk barely reach my goals, they visit less pages per session and the session length is also very short. On .com everything seems a lot better. The sites are duplicates of each other, so I would've expected .co.uk to perform better. Is there a possible theory behind this? It isn't a problem, I just would like to learn more and find out why this is happening. I just don't know where to begin.

11th Mar 2016, 07:20 AM	#2
danieldesai Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2014 Posts: 890 Thanks: 704 Thanked 586 Times in 383 Posts	Re: Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory? Share on: My guess is that people are simply just more used to .com domains, as opposed to other TLDs (even if it's from their native country). Dot com domains have been around since the dawn of the internet and TLDs, and as such people probably subconsciously trust them more. Not to mention, .com looks more professional to most people. Regards, Daniel

11th Mar 2016, 07:22 AM	#3
reachintan HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2015 Location: India Posts: 372 Thanks: 37 Thanked 79 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory? Share on: .com domain is the most universal domain appealing to a broader audience more than any other domain extension. If you still need reasons to go for a .com domain, do check out this article https://domainate.wordpress.com/2011...siness-domain/ to have a clear understanding. Chintan
	Chintan Mehta

11th Mar 2016, 01:02 PM	#5
screensquid Warrior Member Join Date: 2016 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory? Share on: Although you're directing uk users to a domain that is localized, the internet is a global resource and .com holds the most authority. .co.uk is more relevant, but .com is more trustworthy. This is why you're getting more conversions on .com

14th Mar 2016, 01:40 AM	#6
over9000 Warrior Member Join Date: 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why does .com convert better than .co.uk for my British users? Is there a theory? Share on: Com are the most common and used than a .co.uk . Hard to find people outside England which often opens a .co.uk webpages.