Client Wants To Use A .io Domain Name - How Bad For Organic?

[94501]

Hi,

I have a U.S. client who is stuck on a name that he wants to get as a .io (British Indian Ocean) domain name for a new site.

Aside from the user confusion/weirdness, how much harder do you think this makes this sites organic in the U.S. in the future with a .io domain name?

FYI, the other part of the domain name he wants to use is short, meaningless and implies nothing in and of itself.

Thanks!

[SurgeStream]

Hi Michael Johnson,

I am guessing that your client wants the .io since the keyword's .com version was already taken?  It is always preferred to go with the .com version of course.

A .io domain extension is an odd choice, but I have seen it being used on several  tech startup sites recently where they were creating a brand around the base keyword.  In terms of rankings and seo factors to consider with an .io extension, I would personally avoid them and I have worked on any websites with that extension, but since all of these well funded startups are using them then perhaps they are on to something.  I know of one startup that went from their .io extension to the .com version, but it cost them a pretty penny.

Not sure if this helps at all.

[julie-getonthemap]

How much does he plan to spend on marketing to reinforce his brand?  I believe .io will rank on Google just as easily as .net .info .us etc. but how much will it take to rank in their customer's brain?  I have a .us and 7.5 years later I still have to reinforce the domain when I am talking to a client.  It's like trying to get a client to say chartreuse instead of lime green.