New gTLDs vs ccTLDs: which should you sell to clients?

Today, domain names are a key part of a business’s online identity. In many instances, like booking.com, they’re part of a brand.

When helping clients choose domains, many resellers often face the same conundrum: should they recommend generic top-level domains (gTLDs) or take a more geo-targeted approach via country code top-level domains (ccTLDs)?

Understanding the differences and knowing when each makes sense can help resellers confidently guide clients, optimize domain portfolios, and increase margins.

This article breaks down gTLDs vs ccTLDs, explains strategic considerations for clients, and shows how Openprovider helps you cover all bases in a cost-effective way.

What are gTLDs and ccTLDs?

gTLDs (generic top-level domains) – domain extensions like .com, .net, .tech, or .design. These are global domains not tied to a specific country. Beyond traditional choices like .com and .net, new gTLDs offer expanded options for businesses to signal their industry, niche, or brand identity. Examples include .shop for e-commerce businesses or .app for a software product.
ccTLDs (country code top-level domains) – domain extensions like .nl, .fr, or .ca, representing a specific country or region. They are ideal for businesses targeting local audiences or building geographic credibility.

Both types of TLDs have unique advantages. The key is matching the right extension to your client’s business goals.

gTLD vs ccTLD: key differences that matter to clients

Every client has unique goals and target markets, so choosing the right TLD at the right moment is crucial. Knowing when to recommend a gTLD versus a ccTLD can make all the difference when it comes to branding, reach, and SEO performance.

Here are some factors to consider:

Geographic targeting: ccTLDs indicate a clear local presence, which is especially important in markets where there is already strong trust in the national TLD – as has been the case over the past couple of years with .CA in Canada. gTLDs are global by default, giving flexibility for international reach.
Brand perception: most ccTLDs convey trust within a country, helping to build audience confidence. This is particularly important for newer brands who have yet to gain a foothold in a given territory. gTLDs, meanwhile, offer creative branding options, especially with new extensions like .app or .agency.
Portfolio diversification: gTLDs allow businesses to secure multiple niche-specific domains for marketing campaigns or products. ccTLDs, by their nature, are scarce: the .nl TLD is the only one that represents the Netherlands market, for example.
SEO impact: search engines often favor ccTLDs for local search results, while gTLDs rely more on content and backlinks to rank regionally. On the other hand, gTLDs are better suited for global or multi-country businesses. They centralize SEO efforts, consolidate link equity, and simplify management. It’s also more cost-effective to manage one gTLD than multiple ccTLDs.
Legal and compliance considerations: some ccTLDs require businesses to meet residency or registration rules. gTLDs generally have fewer restrictions, making them easier to register globally.
Brand protection: registering a brand name across multiple common TLDs is a best practice for protecting intellectual property and preventing misuse. Holding both gTLD and ccTLD variations can help reduce the risk of cybersquatting, phishing, or brand impersonation.
Security and trustworthiness: while new gTLDs are perfectly secure, some very low-cost extensions have developed associations with spam or abuse. In more conservative industries, traditional gTLDs or well-established ccTLDs may inspire greater trust among customers. By contrast, creative industries, startups, and brands targeting Gen Z audiences tend to be more flexible and open to newer or more unconventional TLDs.

When you should sell gTLDs to clients

Traditional gTLDs: these are often the best choice when a client wants maximum familiarity and trust. Extensions like .com, .net, or .org remain the default for many audiences and are especially well suited to established businesses, conservative industries, or brands aiming for broad, global recognition.

New gTLDs: TLDs such as .app, .design and .cloud work particularly well for businesses looking to highlight their niche, launch new products or marketing campaigns. They also appeal to tech-savvy audiences and modern brands that value innovation and memorability.

ccTLDs: the go-to choice for clients focused on local markets. They signal a clear local presence, help build trust, and can improve regional SEO performance. ccTLDs are especially valuable in countries where national extensions are widely recognized and trusted.

Tip for resellers: suggest bundling gTLDs with SSL certificates and business email solutions. This strengthens the relationship with clients, showing that you’re thinking about their security and success.

When you should sell ccTLDs to clients

You should recommend ccTLDs to customers when:

The business operates primarily in a specific country or region.
They rely on local SEO to attract organic traffic from a geographic market.
Trust and credibility are critical for their audience, such as legal, finance, or healthcare sectors.
ccTLDs can also help businesses comply with local digital regulations, such as GDPR and NIS2, reinforcing legitimacy in that market.

Example: A Spain-based e-commerce store looking to enter the neighboring Portuguese market might register a .pt domain to promote a regional presence and improve local search rankings.

Tip for resellers: explain how ccTLDs strengthen local authority and trust. Use client case studies or examples to show the real-world benefits of geographic targeting.

Pricing, margins, and reseller strategy

gTLDs provide variety and flexibility, while ccTLDs offer greater regional trust. Let’s look at which ones offer the best opportunities for margins and client value:

Many new gTLDs have competitive pricing on the first year and high branding value for clients, particularly in the tech space.
ccTLDs often deliver better upsell margins, particularly when bundled with hosting, SSL, or privacy protection services. ccTLDs also have a higher average renewal rate than gTLDs, which means that a ccTLD – especially when bundled with add-on services – often secures years of recurring revenue for you.
Resellers can strategically mix gTLDs and ccTLDs to maximize client satisfaction and revenue. For example: a .com for global presence plus local ccTLDs for regional markets.
Domain portfolio strategy is key. Encourage clients to secure their main domain first and consider secondary gTLDs or ccTLDs as protective or marketing assets.

Practical tip: Resellers can create packages like “global + local,” combining a gTLD with a ccTLD to cover both branding and geographic trust. This upselling approach also increases recurring revenue when domains are renewed annually.

Common mistakes resellers make when recommending TLDs

Always defaulting to .com: ignores unique branding or local SEO opportunities.
Ignoring local SEO needs: ccTLDs can significantly impact search visibility in targeted regions.
Not explaining trust implications: ccTLDs and recognized gTLDs can enhance credibility with customers.
Missing upsell and protection opportunities: bundling domains, business email, EasyDMARC, and other digital infrastructure products can boost revenue and client satisfaction.
Failing to consider long-term strategy: recommending domains based solely on short-term cost can lead to client frustration and lost revenue. If a business decides to go back to square one with their domain name, there’s a chance they will do so with someone else.

Pro tip: Review your client’s business goals before suggesting domains. Understanding their audience, geographic focus, and brand ambitions ensures your recommendations are strategic and not generic.

How Openprovider helps resellers sell gTLDs and ccTLDs

As your client base grows, having the right mix of TLDs and management tools at your fingertips is essential.

Openprovider’s all-in-one platform helps resellers manage domains, automate processes, maintain healthy margins, and confidently offer both gTLDs and ccTLDs – with upsell solutions that generate recurring revenue.

On-demand access to 1,900+ TLDs.
Bundled offerings for upselling domains with security and email services.
Easy-to-use dashboard, API, and WHMCS modules to manage multiple clients and domains efficiently.
Competitive pricing and margins that make both gTLDs and ccTLDs profitable to sell.

And with an Openprovider Membership subscription, resellers can register all their domains at registry wholesale prices and get bundle products like SSL, email, EasyDMARC, and more at discounted rates.

Conclusion

Every new business should consider both gTLDs and ccTLDs when defining their online identity. gTLDs offer global reach and creative branding, while ccTLDs enhance local SEO, trust, and credibility.

As a reseller, your role is to help clients choose the right domain while also supporting their broader digital infrastructure. Guiding them through these choices and showing how domains fit into their wider online setup positions you as a partner they can rely on for the long term.

Openprovider makes it simple to offer both gTLDs and ccTLDs, with easy domain management, transparent pricing, and tools that help your clients develop their digital infrastructure quickly and securely.