When was the last time you searched for a business online? Did you click on the one with a .com or .tz link?

When searching for local businesses or services, a user is likelier to trust a .tz site because it feels local and accessible. That’s the power of a .tz domain. It is like a badge for a Tanzanian-owned website.

In this guide, we’ll explain the benefits of a .tz domain over generic TLDs like .com or .net and why users will instantly feel at home and recognize you as their own. 

Benefits of using a .tz Domain Over Generic TLDs

Enhances Brand Trust and Identity

A .tz domain immediately tells website visitors that you are based in Tanzania. Therefore, with a .tz domain, you build trust with customers who prefer local businesses.

For example, if you have an e-commerce website that sells clothes, having a .tz domain gives you the advantage of being identified as locally based. 

Having a local brand identity builds confidence with customers because they perceive that you understand their needs. In addition, customers know that you have local payment plans, and shipping is easier since you have local arrangements.

While a .com or .net domain gives you global recognition, a local consumer might assume that your brand is foreign and out of reach.  

Search Engine Visibility In Tanzania

Businesses targeting Tanzanian customers need a .tz domain to improve local SEO without wasting resources.

Search engines like Google favor local domains when users search from specific regions. So, if you have a .tz domain, you will likely rank higher in search results for Tanzanian users than when you have a .com or any other generic TLD.  

For example, if a user in Arusha searches “best airbnbs in Arusha”, a website like affordablebnbs.co.tz will have a ranking advantage over a generic TLD like affordablebnbs.com. 

Having a .tz domain associates you with local relevance, ensuring you have an advantage with local searches. 

Domain Name Availability

One thing with global competition is that the good stuff is already taken. The same applies to generic TLDs; most short and memorable domains have owners. Hence, you have to settle for longer domain names in such cases. 

With a .tz TLD, you can get a better domain name without paying a high price to buy from a reseller. For example, a domain name like coffeetanzania.com might be taken, but you can find a domain like coffee.co.tz available. 

A clear and short domain name is easier for customers to remember your business than a longer one or one that has symbols. 

Reduced Cybersquatting Risks

Cybersquatting is when someone with ill intentions buys a domain name matching a particular brand to resell it at a higher price. Generic domain extensions are easy targets for cybersquatters. 

Sometimes, you might find that your brand’s domain is already taken with a generic extension. With a .tz domain, the cybersquatting risk is lower.

Furthermore, if you find that the .com version of your brand’s name belongs to someone else, you can still secure a .tz domain without paying high reseller fees. 

Besides, having a .tz beats a .com regarding local visibility and customer trust.

Builds Local Digital Growth

Registering a .tz domain contributes to Tanzania’s digital and economic growth. First, the domain registration fee goes to a local domain registrar if you choose one. 

Secondly, a .tz domain helps improve local tech development and internet development. Thirdly, by registering a .tz domain, you promote Tanzania’s online presence and boost its global digital identity.

Reinforcing Legitimacy

A .tz domain is perfect for businesses that want to be seen as trustworthy and established. Large corporations like banks use country-specific TLDs for their official websites.

The .tz domain is an additional layer of legitimacy and established local authority for growing businesses. 

Easier Compliance With Regulations

Some institutional regulations require businesses to have a .tz domain, for example:

• Government e-services
• Some mobile payment services

A generic TLD might require more verification steps than a .tz domain, which automatically links you to a local connection. 

.tz Domain vs Generic TLDs (Detailed Comparison)

After reviewing the benefits of a .tz domain over generic TLDs like .com or .net, let’s now understand how each TLD impacts your website’s success:

Audience Perception

Generic TLDs have no obvious geographical association, and a visitor needs to look at your about page to find out where you are. 

A .tz domain, on the other hand, has a geographical advantage because it instantly signals your location. 

Therefore, users searching for services or products in Tanzania are likelier to click on a .tz domain because it feels familiar as opposed to a generic domain like .net.

Branding

One of the benefits of a .tz domain is that, compared to a generic TLD, you have many short and ideal domain name options. 

Also, you can use local terms for a .tz domain that relate to Tanzanians instead of having a regional second-level domain mismatched with a generic TLD. 

SEO

You need extra effort to do well in local rankings with a generic TLD. If your business needs local traffic more than global visitors, consider having a country-specific TLD like a .tz. It is easier to do local SEO in Tanzania with a .tz domain.

Generic TLDs are perfect for global ranking and SEO.

Brand Protection

You can align your local business social pages with a country-specific TLD like a .tz. This alignment enhances brand professionalism and protects the business from cybersquatting. 

.tz vs Generic TLDs (Quick Comparison)

Feature	.tz Domain	Generic TLD (.com, .net)
Local Trust	Strong	Weaker than .tz
SEO in Tanzania	Effortless ranking	Needs more effort
Domain Availability	Easier	Limited options
Global appeal	Focused on Tanzania	Has worldwide recognition
Brand protection	Easy	Risky

How To Get a .tz Domain

Need to register a .tz domain for your business? Here’s how to get one:

Choose your preferred .tz extension. 

You need an appropriate .tz domain name extension for your website. Some examples:

• .tz; you can use it for any website, like a blog
• .co.tz; great for businesses 
• .ac.tz; for academic institutions 
• .go.tz; for government entities 
• .or.tz; for non-profit organizations

When choosing a .tz domain extension, consider your website’s purpose. 

Check Domain Availability

Once you have decided on the domain name, check whether it’s available for registration. 

The good news is you don’t need additional tools to check whether a domain name is available. Most domain registrars feature a search tool to check domain availability. 

Pick a Domain Registrar

You cannot have a .tz domain name without a Tanzanian-accredited registrar. It is also essential to compare the offer packages of different registrars and settle for the best. 

Note that cheap prices are not always the best deals. Check the renewal fee plus any signs of hidden charges before choosing the domain registrar.

Truehost TZ offers a .tz domain registration at TSH 32,750 with free DNS management.  

Provide the Required Information and Pay

Fill out the required details using valid information. Some of the necessary information is useful when you need help with a domain issue. 

After filling out the information, ensure you can access the provided payment options to complete the purchase. 

Connect to Hosting

Your .tz domain needs hosting to go live. If you already have hosting, connect the domain name to the hosting. However, if you don’t have hosting, you must purchase a package and connect your domain for the website to go live. 

Can You Have Both a .tz and a Generic Domain?

Yes.

You can have a .tz and a generic domain for your business. Here’s why:

1. To protect your brand from cybersquatting, where someone registers the .tz or the .com version of your business.
2. To reach both local and international audiences for businesses with global ambitions
3. It can prevent customers from landing on a competitor’s site if they mistype the TLD during their search.
4. To provide customers with customized products, services, or content depending on their pain points and needs

Final Take

If you have a business targeting Tanzanians, a .tz domain is an added advantage. It is a great option for building instant trust, boosting local rankings, and protecting your brand from cybersquatting. 

While generic TLDs like .com or .net domains work for global reach, a .tz domain gives you local credibility, better SEO, and a stronger brand identity without struggling to find an available name.

If you are torn between the two TLDs, why not have both? A .tz for local dominance, and a .com to future-proof your business for global expansion.