Register a ccTLD or GeoTLD

A country‑code top‑level domain (ccTLD) is a two‑letter extension assigned to a specific country or territory. For example, .uk for the United Kingdom or .jp for Japan are all country domain extensions). On the other hand, a generic top‑level domain (gTLD), not to be confused with a GeoTLD, is an extension not tied to any single country (such as .com, .net or .store) and can generally be registered by anyone worldwide.

In terms of SEO, a ccTLD signals to search engines and visitors that the website is focused on a particular country or region, which can boost local rankings. Meanwhile, a gTLD delivers broader global appeal and fewer geographic constraints, making it a strong choice if your business wants to reach multiple markets.

By choosing one or the other, you’re signalling whether you’re local or global. Think about your target audience and branding strategy when deciding.

In a website URL (for example www.yourbrand.co.uk), the top‑level domain (TLD) is the part after the final dot. This could be a country code (for example .uk, .de, .ca), making it a ccTLD.

So when you see a two‑letter extension that represents a country or territory (like a GeoTLD), that’s the country code portion of the URL. The rest of the URL, like sub‑domains (www.), second‑level domain (yourbrand) and path (/about), sits before or after that code.

Understanding this helps you recognise whether a domain is global or local which is useful when planning your branding and international SEO strategy.

It depends on your goals. If your main market is in one country and you want strong local branding, registering a ccTLD can be a smart move since it signals to search engines and users that your site is relevant to that country.

But if you’re aiming for global reach, flexibility and fewer geographic constraints, a gTLD is usually the better choice. Most new extensions fall under the gTLD.

And if you’re curious about niche or industry‑specific branding, a new gTLD like .ai or .design for example, can help you stand out from the crowd.

Yes,  in many cases you can, but it depends on the policies of that specific country’s ccTLD registry. Some countries require local presence, residency or a physical business address within their territory.

Other country domain codes are more open and allow registrations from overseas. Always check the eligibility requirements listed by the registry before registering.

Yes, a few ccTLDs do offer free or very low-cost domains, but “free” doesn’t mean unlimited. Often, there are some strings attached, like shorter registration periods, residency or usage rules or even limited DNS and security features. If you come across a free domain, make sure to check the ccTLD list and it’s fine print to see what happens after the first term.

If you’re thinking long-term and want stability, credibility and easier brand management, a paid ccTLD or GeoTLD is usually the safer choice. A big benefit of Wix is you can get a bunch of free ccTLDs or GeoTLDs for one year when you purchase any annual website plan. These free domains still come with all the perks of Wix like domain security, free SSL and hosting, all under a reputable brand name.

Each ccTLD has its own rules. Some are open to anyone, while others may require you to live in the country, have a local business or meet specific residency criteria. Before you register, it’s worth checking their list of country domains and registry’s guidelines to make sure you meet the requirements and avoid surprises.

With Wix, you can register most ccTLDs for up to 3 years at a time. You can then renew when the registration period ends (you’ll be reminded), keeping your domain safe and active for as long as you need. To check Wix’s pricing and start registering your domain today, you can compare domain prices here.

Simply use a domain search tool like the one at the top of this page, type in the name you want and see a list of country domains and check if the ccTLD you want is available with your chosen domain. If it’s taken, you’ll get a list of suggestions for similar names or alternative extensions.

Some countries require the registrant’s info to be public, while others allow privacy protection. Using domain privacy services (where available) helps keep your personal details safe and reduces spam or unwanted contact.

Absolutely! You can set up a professional business email using your ccTLD with Wix, giving your communications a polished, trustworthy look. Matching your email to your domain, like yourname@yourbusiness.co.uk, not only reinforces your brand but also helps your messages avoid spam folders.

Whether you’re running a small business or a growing team, having a ccTLD-based email makes your brand instantly recognizable and credible. It’s the simplest way to ensure your emails are safe, professional and aligned with your online identity.

Yes you can. Most ccTLDs allow you to transfer your domain to a different registrar or change ownership, though the exact process depends on the country’s registry rules. With Wix, you’ll skip ICANN fees and can transfer your domain anytime.

It depends on the registrar. With Wix, you can enable automatic renewals so your domain never expires, but some other registrars require you to manually renew each year. Setting reminders or automatic renewal is a good way to keep your domain secure long-term.

Almost every recognized country and territory has a ccTLD, usually a two-letter extension like .fr for France or .ca for Canada. A few regions or territories might share a TLD or not have one available, but most countries do have their own domain extensions or at least their own GeoTLDs specific to certain regions.

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) is a security layer that protects your domain from attacks like DNS spoofing, ensuring visitors reach your real website and not a fake one. At Wix, every domain comes with free SSL protection and DNSSEC can be included for certain TLDs like .com, .net, .org and .co.uk.