The .PRO Discussion

JoeBiz said:

Imagine what it might have done without restrictions. Do you suppose the idea of restrictions was from one man or was it a group screw up?

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Maybe they thought restricted TLDs would be a good idea. In hindsight we now know that restricted TLDs do not sell well. End users don't feel like they must be vetted by a registry to show they are legit.
But it appears that some registry operators still believe they can succeed where others failed. That is fine if they are happy with being another .museum 'success' story with 600 regs....
ccTLDs can thrive with restrictions (if they are not too severe) but in gTLDs it's different.

Restrictions have neutered .pro, but there is also a decade-old marketing failure, and a problem of relevance and overlap.

sdsinc said:

Maybe they thought restricted TLDs would be a good idea. In hindsight we now know that restricted TLDs do not sell well. End users don't feel like they must be vetted by a registry to show they are legit.
But it appears that some registry operators still believe they can succeed where others failed. That is fine if they are happy with being another .museum 'success' story with 600 regs....
ccTLDs can thrive with restrictions (if they are not too severe) but in gTLDs it's different.

Restrictions have neutered .pro, but there is also a decade-old marketing failure, and a problem of relevance and overlap.

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The .pro restrictions weren't invented for marketing purposes. They were invented because otherwise ICANN wouldn't have let .pro go at all. Imagine what would have happened in 2002 if Registry.pro just had said "Hey guys, let's invent a new TLD! Doesn't sound PRO cool? Just let everybody register whatever they want, we don't care."

ICANN wasn't curageous enough to start with several unrestricted TLDs for anyone, and there were other parties against it as well. So they favoured all those restricted TLDs (even .biz is restricted).

Times are changing, and I agree that .pro would benefit a lot from unrestricted access. But we shouldn't blame Afilias for that, we should rather blame ICANN.

Good point Kuli. I would hope that at some point restrictions could be removed so that .pro can have the freedom to compete without restriction!

Kuli said:

The .pro restrictions weren't invented for marketing purposes. They were invented because otherwise ICANN wouldn't have let .pro go at all.

...

But we shouldn't blame Afilias for that, we should rather blame ICANN.

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I don't think so.
If you want to find out about the history of .pro start here:
http://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/pro2/
Also here:
http://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/pro2/Description of TLD Policies.htm
(lot of wishful thinking, but that was then - hindsight is 20/20)

Look at this for zany projections:
http://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/pro2/Registry Operators Proposal.htm
(read from D13.2.4. if you are lazy)

The plan was not realistic, now we know that. But it was poorly carried out too.
The problem is that the business model relies on surveys echoing vague consumer sentiment like: "Hey Mr Lawyer how would you feel about a .pro domain name that signals to consumers you've been vetted as a legit professional, sounds cool isn't it ?! Yeah, I like it !!"
But when it comes to actual adoption, the end users balk at the proposition, especially when there is red tape involved and fees that are significantly more expensive than .com. Perception is one thing, reality is another.
Likewise, I may sympathize with the actions of Greenpeace (just an example) but that doesn't mean I will want to become a card-carrying member. If you catch my drift :]

I invite you to check all the links in your spare time, it's interesting read not only for historical purposes but also because the information remains very valid today (but widely ignored unfortunately), in view of the upcoming flood of TLDs. I think it should be mandatory for all TLD applicants, and not just the .pro proposal, look at the others too :imho:

Hi sdsinc,

this si no contrast to what I've written. Of course, I don't know what Registry.pro really would have done when they'd have been allowed to register everything without any restrictions; maybe they still thought it would be a good idea to only allow some limited clients register .pro names. But I doubt it.

There simply was no other choice; ICANN favoured restricted TLDs, and .pro wouldn't had a chance if it had been intended to be an unrestricted TLD.

Look at this background paper from ICANN: http://archive.icann.org/en/meetings/carthage/pro-sld-topic.htm
Or the original request from Registry.pro: http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/sehgal-to-dam-06aug03-en.htm

First thing is that the registry had to send a request to ICANN regarding second level domains. They're "subject to ICANN’s written approval under certain circumstances".

The interesting paragraph:
"RegistryPro proposes to amend relevant portions of the Registry Agreement, including portions of Appendices F, G, and L to reflect the addition of the proposed registry service. Specifically, the Registry proposes to modify the Registration Requirements set forth in the Registry Agreement, which are published on the RegistryPro website at www.registrypro.pro, and to take such steps as are necessary to notify ICANN Accredited Registrars of, and to implement, the revised Registration Requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Registry-Registrar Agreement."

And they had to make sure that "Requested Amendments Are Consistent with the Intent of the .PRO Domain".

This "intent" was not only claimed by the reistry, but also by ICANN itself.

But we agree that it's time to start another trial to discard all restrictions.

While I haven't researched the history of .pro in depth, I am not sure Icann is to blame.
My understanding is that registrypro wanted a TLD that was special and trusted (like .jobs, they also screen applicants which means .jobs sites must be very legit). Initially .pro domains were delivered with an SSL bundle, I don't think it's another Icann invention.

I have said that the plan was poorly carried out, because for many years the TLD was restricted to a certain set of professions and accepting registrants from four countries only (US, Canada, Germany and France if I remember well). With all those restrictions, what did they expect ? It's strange that they have remained apathetic for so many years, yet it must have been clear there was something wrong with their business model. I find it hard to believe they had their hands bound by the Icann contract.
I suppose that like other registries, they lost interest and focused resources on other ventures.

I think during that time, ICANN would only entertain these extensions if it came with restrictions. Tell me if I'm wrong but I can't imagine that they would have been self imposed.

The webs changing and new gtlds are making news. This may be the first time ever where business starts to take notice and really think about their web brands.

http://www.facts.pro/content/inccom-asks-big-questiondo-you-really-need-com

It's a great to time to start thinking about how you can develop a few of your .pro domains and help further the .pro community! This message board has been great for posts about .pro and developments like sites such as tech.pro and others that are slowly spreading the .pro brand.

IMHO .pro stands up well against the competition where .com is going to have a tougher fight to maintain themselves as the only place on the web to do business. I think the lofty prices for .com's will diminish over time and a more level playing field for extensions moving forward. In time of course.

del

Sold rezina(.)pro (russian translit related to Tires) 2500 USD, Sedo

vadts said:

Sold rezina(.)pro (russian translit related to Tires) 2500 USD, Sedo

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Wow, that's cool! :kickass: Congrats! Well done.

http://www.facts.pro/content/pro-di...xtensionjoin-community-participate-market-ext

I'd like to come up with a list of things .pro owners can do to help market the extension. I'm sure each and everyone of us is doing our share for promotion but it would be cool to layout some bigger ideas.

There has always been some pretty good mojo on this board. Here are a few things anyone can do to help:

1. Write about benefits of .pro in blog posts or by placing comments.
2. Using .pro for your own email usage. Better yet put it on your business cards.
3. Of course building a website based on .pro brand.
4. Promote your domains on social media..Linkedin especially since it is geared towards professionals.

Here are some harder tasks:

1. Make a viral video for .pro or even one that is just plain cool. (I'm tempted to tackle this one)
2. Guest post articles on other blogs about .pro domain topics.
3. Promote .pro in an ad campaign.

It's hard to just fork up money to support the cause, but even if you are promoting your own .pro website in a media campaign or google adwords campaign it is helping yourself and the overall cause. Do any one of these tasks about once a week or even twice a month and it will add up.

Just wanting to think outside the box!

del

webdomain said:

http://www.facts.pro/content/pro-di...xtensionjoin-community-participate-market-ext

I'd like to come up with a list of things .pro owners can do to help market the extension. I'm sure each and everyone of us is doing our share for promotion but it would be cool to layout some bigger ideas.

There has always been some pretty good mojo on this board. Here are a few things anyone can do to help:

1. Write about benefits of .pro in blog posts or by placing comments.
2. Using .pro for your own email usage. Better yet put it on your business cards.
3. Of course building a website based on .pro brand.
4. Promote your domains on social media..Linkedin especially since it is geared towards professionals.

Here are some harder tasks:

1. Make a viral video for .pro or even one that is just plain cool. (I'm tempted to tackle this one)
2. Guest post articles on other blogs about .pro domain topics.
3. Promote .pro in an ad campaign.

It's hard to just fork up money to support the cause, but even if you are promoting your own .pro website in a media campaign or google adwords campaign it is helping yourself and the overall cause. Do any one of these tasks about once a week or even twice a month and it will add up.

Just wanting to think outside the box!

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All of this will be coming soon

I market/sell VanityEmail addresses with the .pro extension...many of my domain names are professional titles, some are fun and/or funny niche markets...names real people can relate to...names not suited for the .com extension.
Here are some of them:
SkiBum.pro
BellyDancer.pro
Sitter.pro
Baller.pro
Redneck.pro
Ganja.pro
Gangsta.pro
Bitch.pro and others are coming soon.
Just trying to do my part …let me know what you think.

coolbreeze said:

I market/sell VanityEmail addresses with the .pro extension...many of my domain names are professional titles, some are fun and/or funny niche markets...names real people can relate to...names not suited for the .com extension.
Here are some of them:
SkiBum.pro
BellyDancer.pro
Sitter.pro
Baller.pro
Redneck.pro
Ganja.pro
Gangsta.pro
Bitch.pro and others are coming soon.
Just trying to do my part …let me know what you think.

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Cool Breeze....sites are fantastic. Maybe Afilias can cough down some marketing dollars.....I have an idea any .pro owner who puts great sites like these above should be part of a new Afilias marketing program for developers.. So instead of marketing the extension itself they can focus on real world live .pro sites that meet some type of criteria.


Cool Breeze has my vote. Of course this is self serving.:kickass:

Talent.pro has been sold for 2,000 EUR

:gl:

Time.pro has been sold for 1,000 USD

:wave:

According to Frank Shilling in this video dot pros aren't great...but aren't bad either.

http://www.ricksblog.com/2013/10/team-schwartz-vs-team-schilling-traffic-video-part-1/

Everyone investing in new gtlds should watch this.

It's exciting to see the last few posts on this board as I really think that .pro's success will come through our hard work, development and promotion of .pro as an extension.

It was interesting in this video where they mentioned that verisign didn;t really do much to build .com so I think even with .com it was built by the success of the community of its members. The big thing they had going for them was zero competition.

Saw jeuxdecuisine.pro at flippa

cool to see some .pro listings on flippa. Better to see a few that are making money.
little unfortunate that the owner of this business is having a hard time with his ad sense account.

http://registrarstats.com/TLDDomainCounts.aspx
During Sep-Oct'2013 minus 8K domains for .PRO/Afilias (128K >>> 120K).

sdsinc said:

ccTLDs can thrive with restrictions (if they are not too severe) but in gTLDs it's different.

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Hi sdinc. Thanks for the post. I agree, but could you explain your thinking behind your statement below. Just curious.

"ccTLDs can thrive with restrictions (if they are not too severe) but in gTLDs it's different."

8^X

---------- Post added at 08:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 AM ----------

STP said:

Is that a bad sign?

It is not perfect but it's good to know that domainers invest these amounts in this extension.

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Agree. Pro or no Pro the domaining bottom line is not about building nice sites, it's about profit. I'd say that's the motive behind 99.9% of domainers. The same idea applies to most industries. Profit motive is at the base of Capitalism ... no matter where it comes from.

8^X

JoeBiz said:

Hi sdinc. Thanks for the post. I agree, but could you explain your thinking behind your statement below. Just curious.

"ccTLDs can thrive with restrictions (if they are not too severe) but in gTLDs it's different."

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Sure, here are some examples of TLDs with restrictions, that are nonetheless fairly strong in their respective markets:
.ie Ireland
.ca Canada
.fi Finland
.com.au Australia

For those TLDs, you usually have to be a national of the country in question, or permanent resident, or local company. People who live in those countries already qualify for their local extension. The restrictions don't hurt them, only the foreigners, some of which could just be speculators.
This is in contrast with .pro where the eligibility requirements seem to be ambiguous or misunderstood (possibly deterring potential registrants).

For the months of November and December 2013, all new .PRO registrations are 50% off for all Gandi's price rates.

sdsinc said:

Sure, here are some examples of TLDs with restrictions, that are nonetheless fairly strong in their respective markets:
.ie Ireland
.ca Canada
.fi Finland
.com.au Australia

For those TLDs, you usually have to be a national of the country in question, or permanent resident, or local company. People who live in those countries already qualify for their local extension. The restrictions don't hurt them, only the foreigners, some of which could just be speculators.
This is in contrast with .pro where the eligibility requirements seem to be ambiguous or misunderstood (possibly deterring potential registrants).

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Don't forget .US ...

Thanks for your input!

8^X