Ready to dive into the wild world of domains? We’re talking about that web address that’s going to be your online home. After all, the decision between a popular .com and a localised .ae top-level domain can have a significant impact on your future success. Beyond being a mere technicality, the choice of your new domain holds the power to shape your brand identity, target audience reach, and online objectives.
What Audiences Do .com And .ae Reach?
The .com domain is a versatile and universally recognised top-level domain (TLD). While it’s primarily intended for commercial entities, its use is unrestricted, which makes it a popular choice for businesses, blogs, and personal websites worldwide.
The .ae domain, on the other hand, is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United Arab Emirates. It’s the prime choice for start-ups and big brands alike operating in the UAE, or those looking to establish a strong online presence in the Middle-Eastern market.
Is Domain Availability Going to Be a Problem For .com Or .ae?
Look, .com domain names have been around forever. They are certainly the oldest and most popular domain extension and so may have fewer options available due to both high demand and the time people have had to find all the hidden gems. It’s more likely you’ll need to be creative or flexible with your desired .com domain name.
On the other hand, .ae, being a ccTLD, has fewer registrations. So if you aim to buy a .ae domain, chances of securing your business name are higher.
Start your .ae domain search to find out if your preferred domain name is still available.
.com vs .ae SEO
A .com domain is widely recognised and trusted. However, there is no indication that the .com domain extension will give you an advantage when it comes to ranking on the search engine results page.
On the contrary, search engines often give priority to local domains when displaying search results for users in a specific country (local SEO). If your website uses a ccTLD that matches the target audience’s location, it could potentially improve your website’s visibility in local search results. So for .ae, the SEO benefit lies in geo-targeting, giving a .ae domain an edge in the UAE market.
What About Price Differences Between .com And .ae?
Speaking of costs, a .com domain name extension usually comes with a wallet-friendly price tag. The average industry price for a .com domain is quite reasonable, which is why it’s not only popular amongst businesses but also individuals. At OnlyDomains, you can get your .com domain for as low as $10.99 per year, while a .ae domain name leans towards the pricier side, kicking off at $34.99 annually. Neither are going to break the bank though, especially when launching an online business.
Do .com Or .ae Have Any Special Requirements?
.com domains have no registration requirements, making them accessible to anyone, anywhere. Luckily, unlike some other country-specific domains (which sometimes require a local presence for sign-ups) .ae is open for registration to anyone, too. Therefore domain name registration for both .com and .ae is a hassle-free process.
.com vs .ae: Final Curtain Call
| .com | .ae | |
| Target audience | Intended for e-commerce websites | Intended for the UAE |
| Eligibility | Open to everyone | Open to everyone |
| Credibility | Well-known across the globe | Well-known and trusted in the UAE |
| Availability | Lower chance your domain is available | Higher chance your domain is available |
| Price | $10.99/yr | $34.99/yr |
Ultimately, the perfect domain name for you depends on your potential customers and the goals of your online business. If you’re targeting a global audience or thinking about launching an online shop, you can’t really go wrong with a .com website. But if your focus is primarily on the UAE market, consider .ae. Better yet, why not secure both if they’re available?
