I was looking for a domain name for my new air conditioning company and noticed that the domain name I wanted was much cheaper if it ended with .org.uk , can anyone explain why this is the case?

Is there something wrong with this name that I have not noticed.

www.arcticaircon.org.uk (http://www.arcticaircon.org.uk)

Any feedback would be much appreciated.
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That extension is normally associated with organisations and/or charities. Although there is nothing to stop you using it for a business, .co.uk would be better.

Generally you will also find the uk domains are cheaper than the mainstream ones.
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.org.uk would suggest that you are a organization such as a charity etc, where as .co.uk or .com say that you are a business with goods for sale. Mostly an appearance thing.
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What about .biz.. but then again .biz domains dont seem to be as popular either.
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For the price difference I would go for a .co.uk or .com. If you are a limited company you could try .ltd.uk...
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.biz unfortunately have attracted a rather spammy image and I wouldn't choose one over the mainstream extensions, I would look for a variation of the domain rather than rely on a biz extension.
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Surely the price differenece is a few pounds per year on each domain. I would suggest a .com or .co.uk if you are selling products or services.

MIke.
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Its not the price, its just that .com or co.uk are not available with arcticaircon and most other variations. What about .net or .org , is there any problems in using any of these?
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Well .org is again aimed at charities and organisations, .net is more technical sites.

I would look for domains on a variation of your chosen domain and get the .co.uk at the very least.

What I would NOT do though is discuss your choices on the board in public as they could get snapped up by others who may then try to flog them to you at a hefty profit ;)
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What I would NOT do though is discuss your choices on the board in public as they could get snapped up by others who may then try to flog them to you at a hefty profit ;)

A good point - keep any ideas off a public forum. If it's a new business, you haven't spent a lot on branding and you want a web presence, you may want to be a bit more inventive with the name to ensure you can get a domain under .com or .co.uk.

Cheers,

Geoff
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Its not the price, its just that .com or co.uk are not available with arcticaircon and most other variations. What about .net or .org , is there any problems in using any of these?

If the main domains have gone it would be a bad idea to use an inferior domain - not only do you lend yourself open to being sued for passing off but the main name will dominate search.
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Thanks for the advice guys.

And if any one is thinking of doing the dirty, dont bother. I dont do business with snakes.
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Don't worry, it was the last thing on my mind but not everyone is as honest plus it just make life harder for yourself :)
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Have you thought about chosing a search engine friendly domain.

Extensions have very little bearing on a sites ability to rank well compared to the keyword content of the domain.

Earl
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Have you thought about chosing a search engine friendly domain.

Extensions have very little bearing on a sites ability to rank well compared to the keyword content of the domain.

Earl

I dont know what this is. Can you tell me ?
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I dont know what this is. Can you tell me ?

well if you are selling air conditioning your ideal domain would be www. airconditioning.ext and not the one you suggested.

Earl
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I've pm'd you a few, the first in the list looks alright and they all currently show as unregistered. :)
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We sell all domains ending in .uk at the same price, because they cost us the same price.

Now, call us old fashioned, and I know others must do otherwise because I see them as working web sites, but we wouldn't knowingly sell you a .org.uk unless it was clear you were a professional or umbrella organisation, a charity or something within the voluntary sector such as a club or association. This site would count, but a forum on a company's web site wouldn't, as instances.

Nor would we let a business have a .me.uk and so forth. You would have to buy them elsewhere.
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We sell all domains ending in .uk at the same price, because they cost us the same price.

Now, call us old fashioned, and I know others must do otherwise because I see them as working web sites, but we wouldn't knowingly sell you a .org.uk unless it was clear you were a professional or umbrella organisation, a charity or something within the voluntary sector such as a club or association. This site would count, but a forum on a company's web site wouldn't, as instances.

Nor would we let a business have a .me.uk and so forth. You would have to buy them elsewhere.

well if you could not get the domain name you wanted as a .co.uk or .com

you are better off to have the right domain name under any extension for the purpose of obtaining a high ranking on the SE's.

Earl
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Or a .biz or a .biz.uk or a .ltd.uk and so on and so forth. There are enough underutilised options and little reason to cheat. I am forever surprised at the top level registrars who so obviously smile upon the practice.
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