City-centric domain names have become incredibly popular alternatives for business owners. We’re talking extensions that read .melbourne and .sydney etc. These extensions can be incredibly powerful for businesses located in these cities and looking to grow a substantial local audience.

What’s more, they are simply perfect for a range of industries, with everything from accounting firms to tourism operators and web designers benefiting from using a city-based extension for their website. There are numerous reasons why your local business should enlist this powerful extension and we are going to share them with you below:

But first, a look at what websites can use this extension

First thing’s first: when go for domain name registration with city-centric extensions, your business or organisation must have a valid street address in that city. For example, if you run a store down a charming Melbourne laneway, you are more than entitled to utilise a .melbourne extension.

Going on from here, these extensions are perfect for:

• Business websites: Any business operating within a city and looking to grow a local audience can benefit from such an extension i.e. www.gordongardening.melbourne.

• Government websites: This is perfect for government websites i.e. a services information site based in Sydney could use www.services.sydney.
  
  

• Tourism websites: Tourism operators could use this website to highlight the fact that their service is based in and around Melbourne i.e. www.toptours.melbourne.
  
  

• New websites: Local news websites could definitely benefit from using a city-centric extension i.e. www.thelocal.melbourne.
  
  

• City events websites: Websites that list a city’s exciting upcoming events could use this extension i.e. www.events.sydney.
  
  

The awesome benefits of using a city-centric domain name

Now that we know what kind of operations can benefit from these extensions, let’s take a look at how, exactly, they can benefit from them:

1. Build a local web presence

A city-based extension is perfect for businesses looking to capitalise on their local presence. They are looking to build a local audience, to tell their current and new clients that they are here, present and can quickly deliver the product or service they desire in that city.

Naturally, this makes it perfect for businesses with brick-and-mortar locations (i.e. cafes or clothing stores), those who offer a B2B service (i.e. digital marketing agencies) and companies that offer trades and services to the local community. This is because when potential clients see the city-based extension they immediately know that you are operating within their greater vicinity and can probably provide their need in a short amount of time.

2. Build trust amongst the locals

Clients and customers love the peace of mind that their business is operating locally. For example, if they are buying something from your online store, they will be thrilled to know that you operate in Melbourne as this likely means you will be able to deliver their product in a matter of days. What’s more, they will immediately know that you likely have a brick-and-mortar location that is likely easy for them to access and this further builds credibility!

3. Stand out amongst the competition

Clients and customers are far more likely to trust a brand that has their city in their web address than one with the generic .com or .store. This is because they will feel an immediate affinity knowing that you, too, are based in that city and this creates a sense of comradery between you and them!