Choosing between .COM and .MELBOURNE comes down to one big question:
👉 Are you building a global brand, or are you owning Melbourne as your home turf?
Let’s break it down cleanly, from a branding + business strategy point of view.
🌍 .COM — The Global Default
Best for scale, credibility, and resale value
Why choose .COM?
- Universal trust – The most recognized domain worldwide
- Global reach – Works instantly in any country or market
- Investor favorite – Highest liquidity and resale ceiling
- Email credibility – Fewer trust issues with partners, banks, and enterprises
Ideal use cases
- SaaS platforms
- Tech startups
- E-commerce brands
- International consultancies
- Companies planning future expansion beyond Australia
Trade-offs
- Premium names are often expensive
- Many strong names are already taken
- Less local identity compared to geo-TLDs
💡 Investor note: If you care about long-term resale value, .COM almost always wins.
🏙️ .MELBOURNE — Hyper-Local & Proud
Best for local trust, community connection, and regional branding
Why choose .MELBOURNE?
- Instant local relevance – Signals “we’re Melbourne-based” immediately
- Great availability – More chances to secure short, meaningful names
- Strong for local SEO – Especially for “near me” searches
- Brand personality – Feels modern, civic, and authentic
Ideal use cases
- Cafés, restaurants, bars
- Real estate agencies
- Local consultants & creatives
- Event organizers
- Tourism, lifestyle, or city-focused platforms
Trade-offs
- Limited recognition outside Australia
- Lower resale demand compared to .COM
- Less suitable for global scaling
💡 Branding insight: For local businesses, .melbourne can outperform .com in trust and memorability within the city.
⚖️ Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | .COM | .MELBOURNE |
|---|---|---|
| Global recognition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Local identity | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SEO (local) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SEO (global) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Resale value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Brand personality | Neutral / Professional | Local / Civic / Modern |
| Availability | Low | High |
🎯 How to Choose (Quick Decision Guide)
Choose .COM if:
- You want maximum credibility
- You plan to scale globally
- You care about domain resale value
- You’re building a tech or SaaS brand
Choose .MELBOURNE if:
- Your customers are primarily in Melbourne
- Local trust matters more than global reach
- You want a strong city-centric brand
- You’re a brick-and-mortar or service business
🧠 Pro Strategy (Smart Brands Do This)
If budget allows:
Buy both.
Use .COM as the main brand
Redirect .MELBOURNE for local marketing, SEO, and city pride
This protects your brand and lets you speak directly to Melbourne customers.