Domains
.com.my vs .my vs .com: Which Domain Should a Malaysian Business Choose?
By JPBC Web Designs · · 6 min read
Short answer: if your business is SSM-registered and serves Malaysian customers, get the .com.my. If you aren't registered yet, take the .my, which anyone can register. If you sell overseas or plan to, get the .com. If the budget allows, register the matching .com as well and point it at your main site, so nobody else can take it.
The three options at a glance
| .com.my | .my | .com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can register | SSM-registered businesses | Anyone, individuals included | Anyone |
| Documents | SSM registration documents | Identification may be requested | None |
| Signals to customers | A registered Malaysian business | Malaysian, short and modern | Global, familiar |
| Signals to Google | Targets Malaysia | Targets Malaysia | No country by default |
| Availability | Often good | Often good | Short, good names mostly taken |
All three typically cost somewhere around RM50 to RM150 a year, depending on the registrar and any promotions. Check the renewal price, not just the first-year price.
.com.my: the registered-business option
Malaysian domains are run by MYNIC, the national registry, and sold through accredited registrars. For .com.my you need a business registered with SSM, either a sole proprietorship or partnership (enterprise) or a Sdn Bhd. The registrar will ask for your registration documents and check that the details match.
Because of that check, a .com.my quietly tells customers you're a real, registered Malaysian business. For a clinic, a contractor or a B2B supplier, that trust is worth having.
.my: shorter, and open to everyone
MYNIC relaunched .my in 2024 and opened it to individuals and organisations anywhere. That makes it the natural pick for freelancers, home businesses that haven't registered yet, and anyone who wants a short, clearly Malaysian address. It also signals Malaysia to Google, just like .com.my.
.com: global, but crowded
Everyone recognises .com, and it's the right choice if you sell to customers outside Malaysia. The problem is availability: short, obvious names were taken years ago, which pushes people into long names with hyphens and numbers. A clean .com.my beats a messy .com.
Does the extension matter for Google?
A little. Country domains like .my and .com.my tell Google your site is aimed at Malaysia, which can help with local searches. But it's a small factor. What decides whether you appear when someone searches “tuition centre Puchong” is clear, local content, a fast website (see why your website is slow) and a well-kept Google Business Profile.
Picking the name itself
- Keep it short and easy to say over the phone. If you need to spell it out twice, it's too hard.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers. They get forgotten or typed wrong.
- Use your business name, not a keyword soup like best-aircon-service-klang.
- Say it aloud in BM and English, and check it doesn't accidentally read as something awkward.
How it works with JPBC
Every website plan includes the domain, a .com or .com.my, registered in your name, so it's yours even if you leave us. See what else is included on our pricing page.
Not sure which name to go for? Send us a few ideas and we'll check what's available. WhatsApp us.
Quick answers
Do I need SSM registration to get a .com.my domain?
Yes. MYNIC, the registry for Malaysian domains, requires a business registered with SSM for .com.my, and registrars ask for your SSM registration documents.
Can an individual or a foreigner register a .my domain?
Yes. Since MYNIC relaunched .my in 2024, it has been open to individuals and organisations from any country. You may still be asked for identification such as a passport.
Is .com.my better than .com for SEO in Malaysia?
A Malaysian domain tells Google your site is meant for Malaysia, which can help a little with local searches. A .com can rank just as well in Malaysia if the content is clearly local. Content, speed and your Google Business Profile matter far more than the extension.