.nl vs .com domain: which is better for you?

Choosing between a .nl or .com domain? It's one of the most frequently asked questions when registering a domain name. Both have their strengths, and the best choice depends on your specific situation.

The main differences

When to choose .nl?

A .nl domain is the logical choice if:

You target the Dutch market Dutch consumers trust .nl websites. It signals that you're a local business that understands the Dutch market.

You want SEO advantage in the Netherlands Google gives a small advantage to .nl domains in Dutch search results. For local SEO, .nl is therefore smart.

You have a physical store or service in the Netherlands A plumber in Amsterdam, a restaurant in Rotterdam, a lawyer in The Hague - all are better off with .nl.

You want the lowest price .nl domains are often cheaper than .com. Compare current prices.

When to choose .com?

A .com domain is better if:

You operate internationally Selling products or services in multiple countries? Then .com is the standard. It's the most recognizable extension in the world.

You're a tech startup In the startup world, .com is the norm. Investors and customers expect it.

You want future international growth Even if you're currently only active in the Netherlands but have international ambitions, .com is wise.

The .nl isn't available If your desired .nl name is taken, .com can be a good alternative.

SEO: does the TLD matter?

For Dutch searches, .nl provides a small advantage. Google recognizes .nl as relevant for Dutch users. But this advantage is limited - good content and technical SEO are much more important.

For international SEO, the TLD hardly matters. Google looks at content language, hreflang tags, and other signals.

Practical advice: Choose .nl for local focus, .com for international ambitions. The SEO impact is too small to make the wrong choice.

Cost comparison

Prices vary by registrar:

Note: some registrars lure with low first-year prices but charge heavily on renewal.

Register both: yes or no?

Advantages of registering both:

• Protects your brand
• Prevents competitors from claiming your name
• Redirect .com to .nl (or vice versa) for consistent branding

Disadvantages:

• Extra costs (€10-25 per year)
• You must actively manage both

Our advice: For serious businesses, registering both extensions is a small investment for brand protection. Let the secondary extension redirect to your main domain.

Practical tips

1. First check availability

Before deciding, verify if both extensions are available. Sometimes your ideal name is only available as .com or only as .nl.

2. Think about your email address

Your domain also determines your business email address. info@company.nl looks local, info@company.com looks international.

3. Look at your competitors

What do successful competitors in your industry use? That gives an indication of what customers expect.

4. Also consider .be or .eu

Active in Belgium? Also consider a .be domain. All of Europe? Then .eu is interesting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from .nl to .com later? Technically yes, but you lose accumulated SEO value. Better to register both and set up a redirect.

Is .nl safer than .com? Not necessarily. Both TLDs are reliable. .nl is managed by a Dutch organization (SIDN), which some people prefer.

What do most Dutch companies do? Most choose .nl for their main website. Large companies often register both.