Shorter, Sharper .UK Domain Name Extension Now Available

Biggest Change in the UK Domain Space Since 1985

London, UK (10 June 2014) – GoDaddy, the world’s largest technology provider dedicated to small businesses, announced it has entered into an Accredited Partnership with Nominet, one of the world’s leading Internet registry companies, enabling British and international customers to benefit from the new .UK domain name, which is available starting today at GoDaddy.UK.
 
Putting the emphasis firmly on the website name, .UK provides a space for businesses to shape their online identity, build their digital presence, or launch an online community.

Powered by Nominet, one of the world’s leading Internet registry companies, .UK comes from a successful line of domain names, including .CO.UK and .ORG.UK. The release of .UK will mark the biggest change in the UK domain name space since its inception in 1985. In a recent Nominet study, 72 percent of business decision-makers said they wanted .UK to be an option alongside .CO.UK, mirroring the simple .COM structure.

Existing holders of a .CO.UK domain name will be protected for five years before their .UK alternative opens to the wider market. For businesses that have built their name and reputation on their Web address, activating their .UK address is a simple way to ensure all traffic from new and existing customers finds its way to their site.

Over the past three decades, CO.UK and its respective alternatives, have built solid foundations of trust, status and reliability with .UK the latest addition to an established collection.

“The new dot-UK is for people who want a short, memorable domain in the UK’s favourite namespace,” said Nominet Chief Operating Officer Eleanor Bradley. “We already know three-quarters of UK consumers prefer domain names ending in dot-UK when searching or buying online, and we found the new domain has extra appeal among a more tech-savvy, digitally-engaged population. It’s a new opportunity for those wanting a sharp, snappy domain name combined with the recognition and trust of the UK namespace.”

“Now with the option of a new dot-UK domain, having dot-co-dot-UK can be limiting,” said GoDaddy VP Europe Middle East and Africa Stefano Maruzzi. “It is essential that businesses get in quickly and register this new domain name in June to avoid missing out on new opportunities. It’s time to get on board and invest in a domain name that epitomises everything that’s important to British businesses. It’s go time!”