Is a com or nl domain name better?
When you want to set up a new website, one of the most important decisions you need to make is choosing your domain name and extension. While there is a wide range of domain extensions such as .net, .org, .info, etc., in this blog post we will focus on the popular domain extensions .com and .nl. Let's take a look at the factors to consider when deciding which one to choose.
.com domain: Worldwide recognition and commercial appeal
The .com domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that is recognized and used worldwide. It has a long history and is often associated with commercial entities. Here are some reasons why you should choose a .com domain.
International audience
If your website is aimed at a global audience or if you plan to expand to other countries or regions in the future, a .com domain may be suitable. It has broader international appeal and can attract people from all over the world.
Availability of a .com domain name
Because .com domains have been around for so long and are so popular, it can sometimes be difficult to find a short and memorable .com domain name that is still available. You may need to get creative in coming up with a unique .com domain name. Or you may consider purchasing a domain name from another party; however, this may require a large budget, as .com domains often don't go over the counter for less than $1,000. We advise against the temptation to extend an existing domain name with an additional word or character such as - in almost all cases. After all, this could present a legal problem that you would rather avoid.
Commercial appearance
If you own a business or run an e-commerce platform, a .com domain can give a professional and commercial appearance. Many people are used to associating .com domains with business websites and consider them trustworthy. However, .com domain names are no longer used only for commercial purposes, and average blog websites and personal domains are also often registered under this designation.
.nl domain focused on the Dutch market and local presence
The .nl domain is the official domain extension for the Netherlands. If you are mainly focused on the Dutch market and your business or website is specifically targeted to Dutch users, e.g. written in Dutch, a .nl domain can offer more benefits. Here are some reasons to consider a .nl domain:
Local relevance
The .nl domain is often associated with local businesses and organizations. It can help build trust and recognition among Dutch visitors. If you want to emphasize the local market and build a strong local presence, a .nl domain can be a good choice.
Easy recognition
Dutch Internet users are used to seeing and using .nl domains. With a .nl domain that has a direct link to their country, it is easier for them to remember and visit your website. It will therefore be recognized faster than, for example, a .com domain or another extension like .eu.
Local SEO benefits
Search engines like Google, Bing and DuckDuckGo often prefer local results when users search from a specific country. With a .nl domain, you can benefit from local SEO advantages and be found better by Dutch users. You can try this out for yourself by performing a search in another country. For example, even if you search Dutch in Germany, you will see more .de domains and German results than if you enter the same search term in the Netherlands.
Use multiple domains
It is also possible to register both a .com and a .nl domain and have them point to the same website. This way you can get the best of both worlds. You can use a .com domain to target a global audience, and use a .nl domain to target the local market and gain the trust of Dutch visitors. You can also create two different versions of your website and provide multiple languages as well. You can also include a translation in your website so that your website can be used by a wider audience, and still make the most of the two domain name extensions.
When deciding between a .com domain and a .nl domain, it is important to consider your target audience and the purpose of your website. If you want to target a worldwide audience and have commercial appeal, a .com domain might be suitable. If you are mainly targeting the Dutch market and want to emphasize a local presence, a .nl domain might be more suitable. You can also use both domains to combine the best of both worlds. In the end, the most important thing is to choose a domain that fits your brand, your goals and the expectations of your target audience.
