Good or Bad? - buying a .com domain name that is already branded under a different county code like .nl but a different business model completely

[Cyclone]

For example - www.example.com (I purchase) and www.example.nl (is in use and well optimized but a different business model)

Seeing that this business (example.com) will be based here in the USA and theirs (example.nl) is in the Netherlands and they are both completely different models, is this ok?

They are well optimized for the name and it will be a little bit of a challenge to outdo them here in the US as far as the name goes, but the name is really good and the client wants it!

[Chenzo]

Cyclone -

Depending on the vertical - you may be able to achieve more local/geographical rankings - but if this company has deep pockets and is branded as well as like "go-pro" or something else - you be better off finding another low hanging fruite - or your life could become a major battle throughout the longevity of the URL.

Not to mention - it will be tough for you branding if the other URL carries good recognition globally - or has the potential to out to you at the drop of a dime.

Your pal

Chenzo

[Cyclone]

Thanks Chenzo for the reply.  Yeah, they are not as powerful and far reaching as "go-pro" but they are still pretty big.  Their company has the potential to be global one day that's for sure.

[MoosaHemani]

Shame to a brand that left the .com domain free J but to be honest it’s a bad idea in my opinion and I will not at all recommend doing that... why?

1. Different country

Usually people around the world when typing URL uses .com as most of the times and this will allow you to capture their traffic but there are two major reasons why that will increase your bounce rate without giving you any significant conversions...

• Different country traffic

For instance your brand website is something that is not catchy to their country then they will more likely to switch as they were not looking for your website anyways...

• Offers not valid

For instance you have a great product that is catchy and may be you are able to attract some of their traffic in to leads... what if you do not offer delivery services to that country or delivery charges makes thing expensive enough... either way they will more likely to switch instead of giving you any real sales

2. Different Business Model

For Instance the brand in a different country offer dental surgery and i have a .com website that is an animal food store online.

I might be able to attract lot of traffic but will it offer me any real conversions... i don’t think so!

Try and work for conversions instead of traffic hacking or you will end up watching at how much bandwidth has been used but you might not able to see good conversions out of it.

[Cyclone]

I think you have misunderstood me completely!  I am not out for highjacking traffic or getting juice from their links and would never in a million years think of such a stupid thing.  The client and I both agreed that the name was awesome and fits the business perfectly, that is the reason why I asked the question.  Simply because the name was so good and it would be a great shame to not be able to use it.

You being so emphatic about that point you were making, I am sure future readers will appreciate it and find it helpful.

Thanks anyway for trying to help!

[MoosaHemani]

My bad completely but as you said:

Seeing that this business (example.com) will be based here in the USA and theirs (example.nl) is in the Netherlands and they are both completely different models, is this ok?

I am not saying you will or plan to hijack traffic but some of the traffic will move to your domain (as many people do try .com instead of the country level tld).. But yes I got your point and from that angle my answer was of less or no help!

Sorry about that!