As a Canadian entrepreneur, you’ve got a lot on your plate—from managing your business to connecting with customers. But when it comes to setting up your website, one question often bubbles to the top: Should you go with a .CA or a .COM domain name? This seemingly small decision can have a big impact, sending strong signals to both your audience and search engines. Let’s break down the key differences so you can make the best choice for your business.
Why Register a .CA Domain Name?
1. You’re a Proudly Canadian Business Selling to Canadians
A .CA domain name brands your website as 100% Canadian. With .CA’s Canadian presence requirements, only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and businesses can register one. This exclusivity resonates with Canadian customers, as a poll conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows, 86% say they prefer supporting Canadian businesses, and a study from the Strategic Council tells us 84% prefer shopping on a website with a .CA domain.
2. You’re Selling Online to Canadians
Websites with a .CA domain are viewed as safe, secure, and trusted by Canadian internet users. Canadians are more likely to buy from a .CA site because they know they’ll be charged in Canadian dollars and won’t have to deal with extra taxes or duties from cross-border shipping.
3. SEO Benefits in Canada
A .CA domain signals to search engines like Google that your site is Canadian, making it more relevant to customers searching in Canada. Since Canadians prefer .CA websites, they’re more likely to click on a .CA listing in search results, boosting your site’s performance in Canada.
4. The .COM is Already Taken
With over 125 million .COMs registered globally, finding an available .COM domain can be challenging. On the other hand, there are only 2.6 million .CA domains registered, giving you a better chance of securing a domain name that matches your business name or one that’s simple, short, and memorable.
5. .CA Gives Back to Canadian Communities
A portion of the proceeds from .CA registrations goes to the Community Investment Program, a funding innovative projects that benefit Canadian communities. By registering a .CA, you’re helping build a better online Canada.
Why Register a .COM Domain Name?
1. You’re Expanding Beyond Canada
If your business sells products or services outside of Canada, a .COM domain may be more appropriate (or whichever extension is relevant to that market). However, if you are a Canadian business, additionally securing your .CA domain is still a smart move.
2. You Want to Protect Your Brand
Many businesses register their domain names across multiple top-level domains (TLDs) to protect their brand. By registering both .CA and .COM, you prevent competitors from snapping up your domain name. You can easily forward one domain to the other, ensuring brand consistency. Building a portfolio of domain names can help protect your brand, products, and ideas.
The Bottom Line
If your business is based in Canada and targets Canadian consumers, the .CA domain is the obvious choice. However, registering the .COM version of your domain is also wise if you plan to target an international audience or want to protect your brand.
Ready to take the next step? Book a free meeting with one of our business advisors to discuss your domain name strategy and more.
Sources
Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Majority of Canadians are choosing to shop at small businesses to support their communities [2022].
Startup Canada. Why Get a .CA Domain? The Definitive Guide [2024]