Domain extension .co.uk makes firms appear 'secure and trustworthy'

An essential component of a company's brand presence in the UK is the.co.uk domain name, a new survey has revealed.

Research by domain name marketplace Sedo found that two-thirds of respondents believe that the domain extension .co.uk leads users to believe that the business's website is secure and trustworthy.

Domain extension .co.uk was the primary domain of 45 per cent of individuals questioned.

The most popular domain name for businesses is .com, the poll undertaken at Internet World 2009 found, with 80 per cent of companies using this extension.

Nora Nanayakkara, director of business development at Sedo, said: "Domain names are fundamental to a company's brand identity online and in failing to renew a domain registration, companies risk jeopardising their brand and reputation."

She added that average sales of .co.uk are valued at £1,004, making it a "wise purchase from a branding perspective" for firms looking to establish themselves in the UK marketplace.

During the first quarter of 2009, 9,781 .ie domains were registered, according to the IE Domain Registry.

Written by Debra Hastings-Henry