New Domain Addresses: Movement Towards a Dot.com & Not-Dot.com World
The recent announcement by ICANN (the governing body that oversees domain internet addresses) opening up new domain extensions has important implications for start-ups and entrepreneurs. In this article, our strategic planning team assesses the challenges and opportunities for small business.
Simplified IP Addressing System
Let’s begin with a bit of background. A domain name is just a convenient addressing system for the numerical IP internet address for a website. Instead of typing in a numerical IP address, ICANN has created a protocol consisting of a series of letters, numbers or hyphens followed by a dot. To the right of the dot are ICANN established top level domain extensions (TLD). ICANN has established TLD extensions for countries and for specific applications.
For example, if you were trying to reach the Brandings website, instead of typing the cumbersome IP internet address 97.74.60.211 into your browser, you could reach the site by simply typing in Brandings.com.
Country Code TLDs
ICANN established two letter codes for over 240 countries and external territories. These “country code” TLDs are commonly referred to as ccTLDs. Examples of ccTLDs include .us, .jp, .de, .ru. For a complete list of ccTLDs click here.
Generic TLDs
ICANN also establish TLDs composed of three or more characters. These are referred to as "generic" TLDs, or gTLDs. The .com domain extension was intended for commercial use and through widespread adoption has become the global standard for business. Over the years ICANN has approved additional gTLDs. Examples include:
.aero - For use primarily in the air-transport industry.
.asia - For use by companies, organizations, and individuals based in the region of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.
.biz – For use by business.
.coop – For use by cooperatives.
.edu – For use by accredited postsecondary institutions.
.gov – For use by U.S. governmental entities and agencies.
.info - For use by informational resources and agencies.
.int – For use by organizations, offices, and programs which are endorsed by a treaty between two or more nations.
.jobs – For use by established companies with jobs to advertise.
.mil – For use by the U.S. military.
.mobi – For use by mobile-compatible sites.
.museum – For use by verified museums.
..name – Primarily used for individual names.
.net – Originally developed for network use, now open for general registration.
.org – Originally developed for non-profit organizational use, now open for general registration.
.pro – For use by licensed or certified lawyers, accountants, physicians and engineers in France, Canada, UK and the U.S.
.tel – For use by internet communication services.
.travel – For use by verified travel-related entities.
New gTLDs
Beginning on January 12, 2012 ICANN will begin accepting applications for new gTLDs. The initial application fee starts at $185,000 (USD) with annual maintenance fees begin at $25,000 (USD) for the right to secure a new gTLD. With the opening of the floodgates to new gTLDs, we’ve identified ten challenges and opportunities for the marketplace.
10 Implications for Business
1. Reaffirmation of Domain Name Addressing System. The new gTLDs firmly establish the long-term viability of domain names as an addressing system. There was talk that ICANN would establish a new addressing system without a TLD. ICANN’s move to add a myriad of new gTLD powerfully concretizes the domain name addressing protocol.
2. Strengthening Dot.com Domain Extension. When starting a business, entrepreneurs are looking to build their company around a brand. The overwhelming acceptance of the dot.com extension for business has turned the extension into a de facto name screening mechanism. No growth-driven firm would consider adopting a company name without owning the “exact-match” dot.com extension. With the proliferation of new gTLDs the dot.com extension will become more important and valuable.
3. Consumer Confusion. New gTLDs will likely cause initial consumer confusion. Consumers have come to expect that the address of an established business to be the company name followed by dot.com. Just think about it, .museum, .pro, .biz, .info and .jobs have been around for a while and are rarely used. They simply cause too much confusion and likely drive traffic to competing dot.com domains.
4. gTLD Opportunities. Some strategically focused gTLDs will thrive. Here are a few examples that could work …
.hotel could be a good extension for lodging – paris.hotel, london.hotel, beijing .hotel
.nyc could be a great extension for businesses located in New York City – taxi.nyc, tours.nyc, nightlife.nyc
.weather could be a useful extension for consumers – tokyo.weather, mumbai.weather, sydney.weather
.movie could be useful for moviegoers – casablanca.movie, terminator.movie, gonewiththewind.movie
5. Corporate Opportunities. Large companies with the resources to pay the initial $185,000 application fee and annual maintenance fees will have the opportunity to use their company name as a gTLD. For example Sony could use the .sony gTLD for specific product websites like playstation.sony, electronics.sony, music.sony. Disney could use the .disney gTLD for themeparks.disney, toys.disney, and animation.disney.
6. Branding Challenges. Companies will need to sort out some awkward applications. For example, will the main page for Disney be disney.disney or disney.com? sony.sony or sony.com? Large firms will undoubtedly retain their dot.com domain extensions. For large consumer product firms, the product name usually comes after the company name, not before it. For example, we know these products as Apple iPhone, Post Raisin Bran, and Dell Computer not iphone.apple, raisinbran.post and computer.dell. Firms will need to think through the branding implications.
7. Multiple Industry gTLDs. There will likely be a number of similar gTLDs created for an industry and marketplace. Singular and plural gTLD extensions have the potential for consumer confusion. For example, the automobile industry could see the following gTLDs -- .auto, .autos, .car, .cars, .automobile, .automobiles, and more. There will likely be many confusingly similar gTLDs that will require major branding campaigns and consumer education.
8. Second Tier gTLDs. With the proliferation of new gTLDs, second-tier domain extensions like .net, .org, .info and country code extensions will likely lose value and prominence. There will simply be too many extensions for consumers to process. These lesser known extension will simply get swept up into the new gTLD mix.
9. Decrease in Super-Premium Generic Domains. The addition of new gTLDs will likely diminish the value of super-premium generic domain names. It will be more cost effective for some firms to buy the gTLD rather than the generic dot.com. For example, it will likely be less expensive for a firm to buy the gTLD extension .food than to acquire food.com.
10. Movement to a Dot.com & Not-Dot.com World. The more TLDs introduced the more important the dot.com extension will become. In a world of turmoil, the marketplace will likely turn into a dot.com and not-dot.com world. The turbulent environment will affirm the dot.com extension as the TLD of choice for business. The dot.com extension should continue to be the established domain extension for small, mid-size and large business.
No one knows for certain how all of this will shake out. Check back with us … we’ll keep updating our assessment as the marketplace absorbs the tidal wave of new gTLDs.
Where To Find the Best Domain Names
Finding a great name for your start-up has never been easier. We’ve got two easy ways to search:
1. Search CATEGORY. Search names by category and subcategory. Check-out the category list in the column to the left. You'll see that that company name categories have more specific subcategories. Just select a category or subcategory and browse!
2. Search by NAME. You can also find company names that contain a key word (or partial word) important in your business. Use the NAME SEARCH function -- located at the top of this page. Simply enter any word or word fragment in the keyword bar ... then click “GO!”
We are here to help you find the perfect name for your business. Call Brandings Client Service Team today at 1-800-852-8900 (Toll Free USA) +1-310-246-5100 (Worldwide) or simply click here to contact our office via e-mail: info@brandings.com
Click here to return to Brandings.com main page: How to Name a Business
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