Neil Lim
What’s the difference between a .CA and a .COM? They’re both the same right? It’s a little more complicated than that. In fact, your domain name is one of the most important aspects of your business and it’s the first thing that customers see when they visit your site.
As a Canadian business, which one should you choose and will the domain extension you choose really have an impact? The domain extension of your choice has an impact on a variety of factors that range from search engine optimization to branding.
.CA vs. .COM: Search engine optimization
Search engines use your extension as a sign of a website’s relevance to user searches.
For example, it’s a well-known fact that Google uses country-code domains like the .CA to understand that a particular website is tailored for Canadians. As a result, Google gives .CA domain names a slight boost on local search results because it deems it more relevant.
.COM, on the other hand, is a generic extension and Google does not associate it with any particular country. This means that it ranks better on international markets, but only if it is optimized properly.
This means that if you are planning on only offering your products and/or services to Canadians, then a .CA can help your business online. However, a .COM will be better for businesses that plan on expanding internationally because .COM is treated as a generic extension.
.CA vs. .COM: Online Branding and Trust
Canadians know that the .CA was specifically made for Canadians. In fact, our co-founder founded the .CA from his office in the University of British Columbia with the intention of creating a unique online presence for Canada.
With that in mind, registering a .CA domain has strict requirements before an individual or business can buy one. As a result, most Canadian trust and support the .CA over any other extension online. From banking to online shopping, Canadians choose to support businesses they can easily identify as Canadian.
The final verdict
Choosing between .CA and .COM involves having a keen understanding of your business. If your business operates within Canada and has a Canadian target market, choosing a .CA domain is the ideal choice. However, if you plan on offering your products and services abroad, then a .COM domain name can help you reach an international audience.
Ready to make your choice? Start your search for a .CA or a .COM domain name with Webnames.ca today!
This post was originally published on April 29, 2015 has been updated on July 12, 2016.