The .KR domain is a powerful asset for anyone targeting the South Korean market. To get the most value, follow these best practices for selecting, registering, and managing a .KR domain name.
1. Choose a Name That Fits the Korean Market
Korean users prefer:
- Short, simple, memorable names
- Keywords that clearly describe the product or service
- Names easy to pronounce in Korean
Best practices:
- Avoid overly long or complex English words
- Use descriptive terms for local credibility (e.g., shop, korea, beauty, market)
- Favor names that match a Korean-language brand or website
2. Consider .KR for Local SEO Advantage
.KR domains perform strongly on:
- Naver (Korea’s dominant search engine)
- Google Korea
SEO tips:
- Match keywords Koreans search for (in English or Korean)
- Consider buying both .KR and .한국 for full coverage
- Use local hosting in Korea for extra ranking benefit
3. Register the Matching .COM (If Available)
If your brand is bigger than Korea, securing both .COM and .KR prevents:
- Brand confusion
- Traffic leakage
- Competitors owning your global version
Strategy:
Use .KR for your Korean audience, and .COM for global operations.
4. Keep It Short and Easy to Type
Korean mobile users account for over 90% of browsing. Short domains perform best.
Examples of strong styles:
- Single word (Beauty.kr, Finance.kr)
- Brand + keyword (SeoulShop.kr)
- Two-syllable combinations
Avoid:
- Numbers (unless culturally meaningful)
- Hyphens
- Hard-to-spell English words
5. Buy Both .KR and .CO.KR if Your Brand Is Long-Term
Many Korean users still trust .CO.KR for business sites.
Recommendation:
- Primary brand → .KR
- Corporate or professional site → .CO.KR
- Redirect to unify brand identity
This is especially useful for:
- Startups
- Retail brands
- Service companies
6. Check for Trademarks Before Registering
Korean and global trademark conflicts can be costly.
Tips:
- Search KIPRIS (Korean trademark database)
- Avoid registering famous brand names
- Generic keywords are safest
- If investing: prioritize industry-neutral or broad-application names
7. Use Localized Keywords When Targeting Korean Consumers
Korean language keywords in English letters (Romanized) can perform well.
Examples:
- HanguelStyle.kr
- KimchiMarket.kr
- KBeautyShop.kr
Also consider pure Korean names if the brand is meant for locals only.
8. Secure Korean-Language Variant (.한국) When Needed
If your brand uses Korean characters, consider registering:
- yourbrand.한국
Benefits:
- Higher trust from Korean-only audiences
- Better visibility in Hangul searches
- Perfect for domestic services or cultural products
9. Renew Early & Protect High-Value .KR Domains
.KR domains can be highly competitive in major industries:
- Fintech
- Beauty
- Robotics
- Education
- Health
- Online shopping
Tips:
- Enable auto-renew
- Lock the domain to prevent unauthorized transfers
- Consider monitoring expiring .KR domains for investment opportunities
10. If You’re Investing: Focus on These High-Value Patterns
Investors should target:
- Money keywords (loan, finance, pay, shop, market)
- Tech keywords (AI, robot, data, cloud, fintech)
- Korean cultural terms (kimchi, hallyu, kbeauty)
- Short brandables
Avoid:
- Long multi-word names
- Low-demand English-only brands
- Unclear or awkward spellings
Summary — Best Tips for .KR Registration
✔ Choose a name Korean users understand quickly
✔ Keep it short and mobile-friendly
✔ Use .KR for local trust & SEO, .COM for global reach
✔ Avoid trademarks and confusing spellings
✔ Consider also registering .CO.KR and .한국
✔ Focus on high-value keywords if investing
✔ Use reputable Korean registrars
✔ Protect your domain with renewals and locking