.Com or .Cpa? Choosing the Right Accounting Firm Domain

If you're an accounting firm considering a domain change, you've probably heard about the .cpa option. But will switching from a .com domain give your firm more credibility? More specifically, is it worth the cost and effort? Here’s our take.

.Cpa Domains: Why Do They Exist?

Unlike .com domains, which anyone can own, .cpa domains are only available to licensed accountants or firms who pass the AICPA’s verification process. The American Institute of CPAs introduced the .cpa domain in 2020 for two reasons:

• To help prospective clients easily identify AICPA-approved CPA companies
• To give accounting firms an additional layer of legitimacy that standard domain extensions don’t offer

Should Your Accounting Firm Switch to a .Cpa Domain?

Switching to a .cpa domain is not a quick-fix solution to common website issues like high bounce rates, low engagement, or poor search rankings. However, a .cpa domain can be a valuable addition to your firm's overarching digital strategy.

Our recommendation? Consider acquiring a .cpa domain if:

• Your preferred .com domain is unavailable. Often, domain squatters purchase extensions to resell at an inflated price.
• You already have a .com domain but want to enhance your digital presence. In this case, we recommend making the .cpa domain your primary URL and redirecting your existing .com domain to it. This approach allows you to maintain your web presence while boosting credibility with a .cpa extension.
• You want to build brand authority and make it easier for prospective clients to identify you as a verified CPA firm. Cpa domains send an immediate trust signal that differentiates you from unverified competitors.
• You are concerned about security risks from lookalike domains. Scammers often create phishing sites by registering similar-looking .com domains (like switching SmithCPAs.com to SmithCPA.com). Cpa domains minimize this risk since only verified CPA firms can register them.

Factors to Consider Before Switching to a .Cpa Domain

Technical Considerations

From a development perspective, switching or redirecting to a .cpa domain does not require a lot of heavy lifting. The process is similar to setting up any other domain. The difference is that you must complete the straightforward AICPA verification process to prove you are a licensed CPA firm. Our dev team can guide you through the process.

Cost Analysis

.Cpa domains are nominally more expensive than traditional .com domains. You’re looking at approximately $200/year compared to $20/year for a .com domain. In the context of a professional service marketing budget, that cost difference is negligible.

SEO Impact

If you’re looking for a quick fix to your SEO woes, switching to a .cpa domain will not directly improve your search rankings. Search engines treat .cpa domains similarly to traditional URLs. The value of the switch is less about search optimization than it is about brand positioning and industry recognition.

Paid Media Perspective

From a paid media standpoint, a .cpa domain won’t directly impact your campaign preference. It could, however, improve click-through rates by giving your paid media ads more credibility. That said, you shouldn’t count on a domain change alone to dramatically improve your advertising results.

Overarching Marketing Strategy Perspective

As we discussed in a recent post, accounting firms hit growth ceilings for all sorts of reasons—a major one being that they lack a cohesive digital marketing strategy.

Yes, choosing between .com and .cpa domains is an important decision. But it’s just one piece of the larger marketing puzzle. A domain change alone won’t solve your marketing challenges.

To truly differentiate your firm from competitors, you need a marketing partner who:

• Understands your unique challenges and opportunities and develops strategies around them
• Helps you create original and authoritative content that meets Google Quality guidelines
• Optimizes your website with proven SEO strategies, ensuring people find and engage with your site
• Creates targeted paid media campaigns that reach (and convert) the right prospects

At WISE, we offer 15+ products and services that cover every aspect of your digital presence, from brand identity and design to SEO-optimized copy and paid media.

Need Help Calculating Your Next Move?

Looking for a digital marketing partner who understands your industry-specific challenges and opportunities? Someone with a proven track record of helping accounting firms cut through the digital noise? WISE's comprehensive digital marketing solutions can help you build authority, attract qualified leads, and grow your practice. Contact us today to learn more!