Its Raining ccTLDs

By now you've probably noticed the onslaught of unfamiliar domain name extensions popping up here and there. Like most domain name professionals, you've probably sat at your computer pondering whether or not you should kick out the extra cash to register some of these domain names... why?

Keywords! While droves of individuals place an extreme value on the domain names extension, I firmly believe that the extension has nothing to do with the success or failure of the domain name. While certain ccTLD's (Country Code Top Level Domains) gain popularity, others leave little to be desired. Mostly because of certain restrictions placed on the domain extension by it's sponsoring organization.

Those ccTLD's made available nationwide, or at least with no registration restrictions are, of course, going to be more popular than ones limited to corporations of the country for which it stands.

What determines popularity. People do. How do we increase the popularity of these alternative domain names? Marketing, and education. The best thing to do is make people aware that they do, in fact, have other options.

Just because .cc is technically the country code for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, or .ad is for Andorra doesn't mean you have to market it that way. Use some creativity in choosing the best name possible. People remember creative names.

Again, I cannot stress the importance of keywords. The part of the domain name before the extension is, and always will be the most important aspect of the domain name. So, if your question is, should I buy or invest in ccTLDs, the answer is yes. Though the present return on these alternative domain names is minimal in comparison to the .com, the future looks promising for certain ccTLDs, for example, Beauty.cc sold for $1,000,000; setting a record for the highest amount paid for a non .com! I'd say the proof is in the pudding, not to beat an old cliché to death.

About The Author

Jennifer Chiera Webmaster/Investor; webmaster@domainbash.com

DomainBash.com - http://www.domainbash.com

DotTown.com - http://www.dottown.com

DomainAppeal.com - http://www.domainappeal.com

In The News:

Nominet registers over 7 million .uk domain names
Telecom Paper (subscription), Netherlands - Aug 29, 2008
UK domain name registry Nominet has announced that there are now over 7 million .uk domain names, with one million .uk domain names added since July 2007. ...

Misleading Web addresses lead to anti-Obama site
Los Angeles Times, CA - 2 hours ago
"I wanted to see if the campaign was quick enough to snatch up the domain names," Hasen said. As for websites including the names of John McCain and Sarah ...

EstDomains, Inc: .MOBI Domain Name Promo Action Prolonged
PR Web (press release), WA - Aug 29, 2008
.MOBI domain name is the first and the only specific domain for mobile devices which certainly pays its role in the development of mobile technology as the ...

OFFLINE: your_domain-bulgaria.com
Sofia Echo, Bulgaria - Aug 29, 2008
Over the years, a constant source of fun and teasing for me has been the type of domain names that Bulgarian companies and organisations have a tendency to ...

Renew Domain Names Before October Price Increases
Domain Name Wire, TX - Aug 28, 2008
It’s that time of year again — time for VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN) and other registries to increase their wholesale price of domain names. ...
GoDaddy Hikes Price of .Net and .Org Domain Names to $13.19 Domain Name Wire
all 2 news articles

Social Site - Social Network. Social Domain Names at 200Best.com
Emediawire (press release), WA - Aug 28, 2008
"My favorite Social domain name is SocialMagazine.com. It can be the ideal domain name to cover the Social Networks. SocialMagazine.com is the right domain ...

Domain Name Wire
Moniker Offers $7.49 .Mobi Domain Names
Domain Name Wire, TX - Aug 27, 2008
If you want to get your hands on any unregistered .mobi domain names, now may be a good time. Moniker just announced $7.49 per year pricing on new .mobi ...

BG Radia Unveils New Website and Domain Name
eCoustics.com (press release) - Aug 27, 2008
... NV August 27, 2008 -- BG, the world leader in planar loudspeaker technology, announced the launch of an all new website as well as a new domain name. ...

KENIC embarks on aggressive .ke marketing campaign
NetworkWorld.com, MA - 18 hours ago
... in noncommercial domains will lead to an increase in uptake of sc.ke, ac.ke and go.ke domain names, which cost 500 Kenyan shillings (US$7.58) per year. ...

ME DOMAINS NAMES HIT MARKET IN RECORD STYLE - Domain auction
OnlineCasino.org - Aug 26, 2008
Domain names are a big part of any internet business. As anybody that has had a modicum of success in the online world can tell you, an easy to remember ...
domain names - Google News


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