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Digital Company news South Africa

Life's too short – register a standout top-level domain name

If you were thinking that it’s a .co.za domain name for your South African brand or nothing – think again. While .co.za is most definitely the most popular top-level domain (TLD) in the country, there's a shift taking place in the world of domains. Many new and established companies are choosing the TLD-road less travelled and registering .africa, .net, .tech .joburg, or .site. Not only is there more availability for desired names when choosing a less mainstream top-level domain but it could also depict your business in a positive, more modern light.
Life's too short – register a standout top-level domain name

There's a perfect TLD for any line of business out there, it just depends on your brand, target audience and location.

Make sure your innovative domain extension is relevant by answering the following questions:

1. Does it align well with your brand?

Your TLD should resonate with your brand's identity and the industry you operate in. A relevant TLD enhances brand recognition and credibility. For instance, a tech startup might benefit from using .tech, while a photography business could use .photography or .studio. By aligning your TLD with your brand, you create a stronger connection between your domain and what your business represents.

2. Does it cover the location of your audience?

Consider where your audience is located. A country-specific TLD like .co.za or a geo-TLD like .africa or .durban can make your website more relatable and trustworthy to users in that region. These TLDs also signal to search engines that your content is relevant to users in specific geographical locations, potentially improving your local search rankings.

3. Will it benefit your SEO?

While TLDs don’t directly affect SEO rankings, they can influence user perception and click-through rates, which indirectly impacts SEO. A familiar or industry-specific TLD can encourage users to click on your link over others, increasing your site's traffic. As mentioned in point two, localised TLDs (like .africa or .durban) can help with geotargeting, making it easier for your site to rank in specific regions.

4. Is it memorable?

A memorable domain name is crucial for online success. Your TLD plays a role in how easily people can remember and share your domain. Short, simple TLDs like .store or .net are often easier for users to recall. If your domain name is already long or complex, pairing it with a well-known TLD can help balance it out and make it more memorable.

5. Could it hold you back one day?

Consider your business's long-term goals. If you plan to expand into different cities, other continents or even industries don't pick a TLD that could potentially tie you down too much. Think about where your business is heading and choose a TLD that won’t limit your future growth.

Now that there are more TLD options to choose from, is .co.za considered boring?

Absolutely not! As with all things in life, having options creates wiggle room to do something different.

Get a .online and .site for free when you register a new .co.za

If you register a new .co.za domain name at Domains.co.za by 31 December 2024, you have the option of registering the same name in both a .online and .site for free.

This is a great opportunity for you to start building a multi-TLD strategy for your brand. All you need to do is point these domains to your main website.
Both .online and .site are highly versatile, and can be used for almost any type of website, regardless of industry. They also have a modern, contemporary feel to them.

At Domains.co.za we have big dreams for your small business. It all starts with a domain name. Begin your online journey with us!

Domains.co.za
Domains.co.za is a South African domain name and website hosting provider. Innovation, superior value-added business solutions and a dedication to quality and service set us aside from the competition.
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