Opting for a .com or .ae domain for a website is like weighing international megaphone reports against local manifestation. Each has merits to offer and the one that is appropriate lies with your audience and SEO goals.
.com: The Global Powerhouse
It is generally a good idea to choose .com domains for websites appealing to an international audience. The search engines, Google especially, tend to look favorably upon .com as they are The domain of international recognition and trust. Further, assuming that your plans may transcend even to the .com universe, such a domain gives you a free hand. I have seen some businesses in Dubai with a .ae domain suffering in later times when wanting to get clients from Europe or the US. Lesson learned: long-term thinking.
.ae: The Local SEO Champion
To concentrate on the UAE market, having a .ae domain can make a difference. Google tends to rank country-specific domains most prominently for local searches. So, if someone in Dubai searches for the “best SEO agency in Dubai,” a .ae domain might outperform a .com. I know a small business that migrated with its .com extension to .ae and increased its local traffic. It sends a message to Google and customers that this is a brand from the UAE.
Which One Should You Choose?
Though the .com domain is for global reach, the .ae domain better serves sites looking to rank higher on UAE-related searches. Cannot make up your mind? Get them both and redirect one to the other! In that way, you’ll not be losing traffic.
Final Tip:
Ask yourself before deciding: Who is my current audience, and where do I believe the business will be in five years?
