For UK government organisations, the .gov.uk domain is a vital way to ensure that the public can easily identify that you are a legitimate entity and that your online services, website content and emails can be trusted. In this post, we look at the importance of .gov.uk domains and explain the process of how to get one.
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What is a .gov.uk Domain?
The .gov.uk domain is the official domain extension of the UK government and for this reason, it can only be used by legitimate UK government organisations, like government departments, local authorities, security and law enforcement agencies and so forth. The exclusive nature of the domain therefore provides public sector organisations with a secure online identity that gives the public confidence in the trustworthiness and credibility of the online services and information being provided.
Which organisations can use the .gov.uk domain?
For obvious reasons, .gov.uk domains cannot be purchased by any website owner. Indeed, the Government Digital Service (GDS), which oversees access to the domain, has strict eligibility criteria to ensure it can only be used by legitimate government bodies. As part of this criteria, eligibility is restricted to the following entities:
- central government departments or agencies
- non-departmental or ‘ arm’s length’ bodies
- parish, town or community councils
- district, borough, city or county councils
- combined or unitary authorities
- fire services, police and crime commissioners
- partnership bodies
- joint authorities and joint committees
- organisations representing a group of public sector bodies
- organisations representing a profession across public sector bodies
While this does not cover all government agencies and public sector organisations, other domains might be more suitable for those not listed above, such as .nhs.uk for state-run healthcare organisations and .mod.uk for Ministry of Defence organisations like the navy, air force and army.
Benefits of .gov.uk domains
The .gov.uk domain offers a range of benefits for public sector organisations. One of the most important is that, as the domain is widely recognised as an official government website address, it gives the organisation’s website and email communications credibility and trust with the public. Given the often essential services, advice and sensitive information provided by these organisations, such trust is vital in ensuring the public knows that the website is legitimate and reliable.
That credibility also plays a vital role in the website’s online visibility. Search engines understand that government organisations provide highly trustworthy, accurate and up-to-date information and therefore rank those sites very highly in search results. The obvious benefit here is that more users will visit the site and get to read the information from the official source rather than through other websites where that information may have been misinterpreted, summarised or be out of date.
Improve trust even more, read: Boost Your Website’s Credibility: A Guide to Winning Visitor Trust
While .gov.uk domains are not invulnerable to threats, they do benefit from enhanced security. Domain owners are required to put strict security measures in place themselves, however, they are supported in this by the government’s Domains Team which is responsible for overseeing all .gov.uk domains and monitors them for configuration errors and potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, approved .gov.uk domain registrars, like eukhost, can also help entities keep their domains secure.
Take your security to the next level, read: How The Public Sector Can Improve Cloud Security
How to register a .gov.uk domain
As there are strict eligibility criteria for these domains, the registration process is more complex and rigorous than that of a standard domain. Firstly, organisations must check that they are one of the eligible entities mentioned above. Following this, they need to apply via an Approved Registrar, like eukhost, that has been granted government permission to act as a registrar for these domains.
During the application, your company will need to supply your Approved Registrar with various details, including the organisation’s name and contact details, as well as the name, role and email address of the registrant, which will be published in the government’s online directory. Additionally, those applying on behalf of a central government organisation or an arm’s length body will also need evidence showing that they are authorised to apply for the domain.
Once you have gathered all the required information, the registrar will then submit your application to the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) where it will be reviewed internally to ensure it meets all the eligibility criteria. This process can take up to five working days to complete.
When your application has been approved, your .gov.uk domain will be registered and will usually be available within 24 hours. The stringent vetting procedures mean that not all applications get approval. However, should your application be rejected, feedback will be provided, and you will have the opportunity to amend and resubmit it.
After the domain is approved, you’ll also be able to manage and renew it via your registrar’s online portal.
Hosting your .gov.uk domain website
If you wish to move your website and host it with an Approved Registrar, like eukhost, who can help you maintain the security levels the government requires, then the process is relatively straightforward. At eukhost, simply contact us and our support team will guide you through the steps to complete the transfer. We’ll also ensure a hiccup-free move which won’t disrupt your website’s online availability.
Have you got the right hosting solution? Read: How Charities And The Public Sector Benefit From The Cloud?
Conclusion
With strict eligibility criteria and a robust registration process, a .gov.uk domain is a prestigious web address that provides eligible government organisations with a way to establish legitimacy, credibility and trust with the public, both with their website and email communications. From reading this article, you should now be aware of the benefits of these domains and the process of applying for one.
If you are a government organisation considering applying for a .gov.uk domain and are looking for an Approved Registrar, visit our Register .gov.uk Domain page.
