Pros and Cons of Lebanese Domain Name .com.lb – Mohamed Soufan
As a software engineer in Lebanon, I constantly receive the same questions from my Lebanese clients about registering a .LB domain name (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) after building their websites and mobile apps:
- Should we register a .com.lb domain name?
- Are .com.lb domain names better than .com?
- Is .com.lb safer than .com?
- Is .com.lb more trusted than other TLDs?
I totally understand you if you’re a Lebanese business owner looking to register a .com.lb domain name for your website, given that it gives you a well-targeted geolocation and the right target market for your local business.
However, .com.lb domain names, just like everything else, comes with many downsides that you should consider before making the decision to purchase one and dedicate it for your online business.
The decision of choosing between Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) like .com, .net, .org, or Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) such as .com.lb can be quite confusing.
You are Lebanese, your business is based in Lebanon, and your target market is in Lebanon, so you might be asking yourself, “Why not use a .com.lb domain name?”
In this article, I’m going to list the advantages and disadvantages of using the ccTLD .com.lb, helping you to make an informed decision based on the factors that matter to your business.
Before I start, I want to make it clear that in this article, I’m referring to all .LB domain extensions, not only .com.lb. This includes:
- .com.lb
- .net.lb
- .info.lb
- .org.lb
When you should aim for a .LB Domain name?
Potential Advantages of using .LB domain name:
- Enhance your local brand.
- Improve your Local SEO in Lebanon.
- Create a memorable brand name.
- Improve trust in Lebanon
Let’s take a look at each one, and explain how it can positively affect your business.
1. Enhance your local brand
.LB domain names (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) can give your business a local touch, which makes it familiar to your target market in Lebanon.
When you decide to buy from a website in Lebanon, let’s say an online shop, you’d prefer to see its URL ending with .com.lb or .net.lb as it confirms the business’ location. This makes it easier for you to make the decision to buy from that website instead of another website that focuses on different geolocations.
2. Improve your local SEO in Lebanon.
Your Local SEO is extremely important whether you’re an online shop, a digital agency or a freelancer working in any sector.
By registering a .LB domain name (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb), you are confirming to search engines that you are located in Lebanon. As a result, this strongly encourages search engines to prioritize your website when people in Lebanon are searching to buy your products and services.
3. Domain name availability
.LB domain names (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) can make it easier for you to buy a brand name that is memorable and easy to remember, purely on the fact that it has a high availability unlike other TLDs such as .com, .net. .info and .org.
This makes it much easier for you to find and register an attractive, memorable brand name that fits your business vision.
4. Improved trust in Lebanon
Registering a .LB domain name (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) can enhance local trust in your business. Unlike registering other TLDs like .com and .net, acquiring a .LB domain involves company registration in Lebanon and additional legal processes. This adds an extra layer of credibility, making it easier for customers to place their trust in your brand.
Bottom line:
Registering .LB domain name can improve your local SEO, gives you the chance to register a better brand name due to high availability, and improve brand trust within Lebanon.
Why You Shouldn’t Register .LB Domain Name
.com.lb domain names (or .net.lb, .org.lb, .info.lb) come with many downsides that you should consider before making the decision to purchase one and dedicate it for your online business.
Disadvantages of registering a .LB domain name:
- Limited Global Reach
- Geopolitical Concerns
- Legal and Administrative Requirements
- Limited Global Trust
- Limited Global Recognition
- Maintenance Difficulties
- Pricing Differences
Let’s take a look at each one, and explain how .lb domain names can negatively affect your business.
1. Limited Global Reach of .LB domain names
When you use a .com.lb domain name, you tell the search engines that your business is focused and limited to Lebanon. This makes your website reach less people outside of Lebanon.
If global reach is important to your business, you should avoid registering a .com.lb domain name.
2. Potential Geopolitical Concerns of .LB Domain Names
Using a country-based domain name like .com.lb can sometimes raise geopolitical or political concerns, especially if there are ongoing conflicts or tensions related to Lebanon.
This could affect your online presence and business reputation.
Let’s simplify the decision-making process:
Imagine you’re searching for a software company to bring your dream project to life. You begin with a Google search, aiming to find the ideal company that fits both your budget and vision.
After some research, you’ve identified two companies that meet your requirements and can turn your dream project into a reality.
However, there’s a crucial difference: one of these companies is located in a region with increasing political instability and the potential for conflicts.
In this scenario, which of these two companies would you eliminate from your list? It’s evident that the one with a high level of political risk would be the first choice to remove.
After all, who wants to collaborate with a team based in a region prone to conflicts and instability?
3. Legal and Administrative Requirements of Registering a .LB domain name
Registering a .LB domain (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) involves meeting specific legal and administrative requirements, including registering a company in Lebanon.
This process can be more complex and time-consuming compared to registering a standard gTLD such as .com, .net, .org and .info.
4. Limited Global Trust and Recognition
Some users may be more familiar with well-established gTLDs like .com, .org, or .net.
Using a ccTLD like .com.lb may raise questions about the authenticity and reliability of your website among international users.
5. Maintenance and Renewal of .com.lb domain names
Managing a .LB domain (such as .com.lb, .net.lb, .org.lb and .info.lb) involves dealing with specific local registrars and adhering to Lebanese regulations. This can add complexity to domain maintenance and renewal compared to gTLDs.
Renewing a gTLD domain name such as .com, .net, .org is really easy and can be done with a click of button.
Several clients of mine who own .com.lb and .net.lb domain names encounter various challenges related to maintenance and renewal. Moreover, these challenges include pricing differences, maintenance difficulties, support issues, and more.
It’s better to avoid .com.lb if you prefer a stable service from big corporations such as Godaddy, BlueHost, NameCheap, etc.
Bottom line:
.com.lb domain names can limit your business global reach, potentially engage your business in geopolitical concerns, and lead to a limited global trust and recognition.
.com.lb vs .com Comparison
Reach:
- “.com” offers a wider global reach, making it better for international audiences.
- “.com.lb” is more region-specific, only targeting the Lebanese market.
Geographic Targeting:
- “.com” is not region-specific, making it better for businesses with a global or multi-market focus.
- “.com.lb” is often used for businesses that specifically target the Lebanese market.
SEO Considerations:
- “.com” is better for global SEO as it is more used and trusted.
- “.com.lb” can be better for SEO within Lebanon, as it aligns with local searches.
Trust and Credibility:
- “.com” is more trustworthy on a global scale due to its popularity.
- “.com.lb” may convey local authenticity and trustworthiness for businesses targeting Lebanon.
Cost and Registration:
- “.com” domains have simple competitive pricing due to their popularity.
- “.com.lb” domains have specific registration requirements and pricing structures.
Expert Perspective:
You should register a ‘.com.lb’ domain extension only if you’re exclusively targeting Lebanon and not aiming for a broader audience.Mohamed Soufan – Software Engineer & Digital Marketing Expert
.com.lb Alternative
What to do instead of Registering a .com.lb domain name?
You’re a Lebanese business looking to expand globally, and you still want to tell the search engines that your business in based in Lebanon, and you don’t want to lose the advantages of having a .com.lb domain name.
And on the other hand, you’re avoiding .com.lb domain name because of its disadvantages, right?
I understand.
Here’s what you can do to tell the search engines that you are a Lebanese business without registering .com.lb domain name:
1. Create a Lebanese Subdomain instead of using .LB domain name
You can use a subdomain on to create a Lebanese version of your website.
Live Example of Lebanese Subdomain:
For example, my website is ‘soufan.me‘, if I want to create a Lebanese version of it, and tell the search engines that I’m interested in targeting Lebanese audience, I would create the following subdomain:
lb.soufan.meThis will create a new domain name to represent a different version of my website.
I would have 2 domain names: ‘soufan.me‘ for the international version, and ‘lb.soufan.me‘ for the Lebanese version.
Remember that your subdomain will be considered as a different domain name, so treat it as a new domain name that only targets the Lebanese audience.
2. Use Lebanese Keywords in URLs and Content
Create content that reflects your Lebanese identity and location. This can include mentioning your location in the content, using Lebanese keywords, and discussing topics relevant to Lebanon and the Lebanese audience.
The use of Lebanese Keywords in URLs:
For instance, I created a category titled ‘Lebanon’ on my website, where I publish articles that are related to Lebanon.
Category URL: ‘soufan.me/category/lebanon/‘
This informs search engines that the URL ‘soufan.me/category/lebanon/‘ is directing its content toward w Lebanese audience.
Also name your webpages with Lebanese Keywords. Instead of using general titles, focus on keywords that target Lebanon such as ‘Lebanese’, ‘Lebanon’ and ‘Beirut’.
The use of Lebanese keywords in content:
Instead of ‘Software Development‘ use ‘Software Development in Lebanon‘
Don’t use ‘Online Shop’, but instead use ‘Online Shop in Lebanon’
Instead of ‘X Company’ use ‘X Company in Lebanon’
Using keywords such as ‘in Lebanon’, ‘Lebanese’, and ‘in Beirut’ signals to search engines that your content is tailored for a Lebanese audience. This strategy enhances your local SEO, ensuring that your website appears more prominently when people in Lebanon search for your products and services.
3. Improve your Local SEO in Lebanon – See How
Optimize your website for local search by listing your business on local directories, using schema markup for local businesses, and encouraging local reviews and ratings.
This will tell the search engine that your website is operating in Lebanon, and targeting the Lebanese market.
You can refer to the following article to learn more about Local SEO in Lebanon:
Local SEO in Lebanon: All You Need to Know
4. Hreflang Tags
Hreflang is an HTML attribute used to specify the language and geographical targeting of a webpage. Additionally, if you have multiple versions of the same page in different languages, you can use the hreflang tag to tell search engines like Google about these variations. This helps them to serve the correct version to their users.Source
5. Geo-Targeting in Google Search Console
You can specify your geo-targeting using Google Search Console to tell the search engine that you are targeting Lebanon.
This will simply tell Google “I’m targeting Lebanon, so consider me as a .com.lb business”.
Bottom line:
There are several strategies to inform search engines that your business operates in Lebanon without needing to register a .com.lb domain. These include using Geo-Targeting in the Search Console, implementing Hreflang Tags, creating a Lebanese subdomain, incorporating Lebanese keywords into your content and URLs, and enhancing your website’s SEO specifically for the Lebanese market.
FAQs about .LB domains
Should I register .com.lb domain name?
.com.lb domain is a good fit if your business only operates in Lebanon and isn’t planning global expansion. Still, it’s worth noting that .com.lb domains have their downsides, such as Potential Geopolitical Concerns, Maintenance and Renewal, Legal and Administrative Requirements, etc.
Is .com better than .com.lb?
A .com domain is preferable over .com.lb for businesses operating outside Lebanon as it offers greater international visibility and reach.
What are the disadvantages of .LB domain names?
- Limited Global Reach
- Potential Geopolitical Concerns
- Legal and Administrative Requirements
- Trust and Recognition
- Maintenance and Renewal
Is .com.lb more trusted than other TLDs?
No, .com.lb domain names are not generally more trusted than other TLDs, such as .com, .info, and .net. However, .com.lb domain names cannot be registered without company registration, which makes them more appealing to consumers in Lebanon.
Is .LB better for SEO?
.com.lb is only better for local SEO in Lebanon. However, when it comes to global reach, other TLDs have better SEO performance.
Is .com.lb safer than .com?
No. The safety of a website is not determined by its domain extension.
What to do instead of Registering .com.lb domain name?
Create a Lebanese Subdomain ‘lb.yourwebsite.com’ instead of using .com.lb domain name.
What does .com.lb domain stand for?
‘.LB’ is the country-specific website domain extension for Lebanon. It includes .COM.LB, .NET.LB, .INFO.LB, .ORG.LB, and .GOV.LB. These are all different types of web addresses you can find in Lebanon.
Who is Mohammad Soufan?
Mohammad Soufan is a Lebanese Software Engineer who passionately leverages Flutter to create top-notch mobile applications and ranks in the top 5% among 1.6 million AI Engineers globally, based on LinkedIn assessment.
What is Mohamed Soufan known for in Artificial Intelligence?
Lebanese Software Engineer Mohamed Soufan is known for his expertise in AI and ranks in the top 5% among 1.6 million AI Engineers globally, based on a LinkedIn assessment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between using a .com.lb domain and achieving a global reach for your online business is a significant decision. We’ve explored the advantages and disadvantages of .com.lb domains, as well as alternative strategies to convey your Lebanese presence to search engines.
Remember that the right choice depends on your specific business goals, target audience, and global aspirations. Additionally, by carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business vision and growth strategies.
