Domain Name for Canadian Retail Website?

.ca or .com?

[andmunn]

Hi Guys,

I need your input. I need a name for an online website i'm developing. IT's an e-commerce storefront, for a particular untapped "niche" in Canada. I too, am located in Canada.

I'm wondering whether i should go for a ".ca" name, o a ".com" name. The benefits of the ".ca" name is that there are many more domain name's avaialble...and much better ones! However, i'm worried if i choose .ca, people will type the .com version and not find my site?

Any suggestions?
Andrew.

[rogmo]

My opinion my be irrelevant, since I'm a southerner (down in the states ;-) ... but I think you'd be better off to go with a .com domain.

For any of these other types of TLD's, you run a greater risk of directing people to your competitors site because frequently enter the .com by habit.

On selecting a domain name here are a few things to try to shoot for:
1. Keep it as short as possible
2. .com if at all possible
3. don't-put-dashes-in-your-domain-name.com Too hard to type, and makes it harder to remember
4. Make it memorable or catchy - to help it stick in their mind
5. Consider whether you should register the alternate domains too - .net, .org, .ca Some TLDs cost more, but frequently not too expensive to cover yourself both ways.

Hope that helps. Good luck.
Roger K.
p.s. - pm me if you want help brainstorming for domain names.

[andmunn]

THanks very much for your opinion...i feared as much that perhaps a .com was a better idea...
Anyone else have any other opinions?

CHeers,
Andrew.

[Timotheos]

I just moved to Canada last year and because of duties and such like I really like to see a domain with .ca at the end. So I'm not Canadian but I'd assume that a .ca would be more attractive to a Canadian market. It took me awhile to get used to it (expecting a .com) but I've seen several businesses using the .ca tld so it's grown on me.

[laertes]

Why not go with both- domains are inexpensive. Redirect the .com to the .ca and have the best of both worlds.

[andmunn]

HI laertes,

I definately would go with both - except that the .com version of any domains i like usually isn't available...

Andrew.

[encyclo]

A .ca domain is a good indication that you have a site aimed directly at Canadian visitors. I'm a big fan of .ca, but don't choose a name where there is an actively-developed .com equivalent otherwise you will lose traffic and confuse your visitors. You need to be explicit with your branding too, and make a point of highlighting the .ca as an integral part of your company/site name.

[andmunn]

Thanks encyclo - i value your opinion.
Cheers,
Andrew.

[stu2]

I'd DEFINITELY get both and point the .com to the .ca since you are targeting Canadian buyers.

[spoxox]

Andrew, I'm in the same boat as you. I strongly agree with the previous posts.

It's disappointing, but the country code TLD is widely neglected in Canada (and elsewhere). People expect .com. But I always get both, advertise .ca, and redirect them when they use the .com version.

You should definitely be very careful about (avoid if at all possible) going with a .ca when a different site uses .com.

All the best,
paul