Fan Sites: which ext is preferable?

dgridley · 02-19-2005, 11:50 PM

Fan site related domains: .net, .us, or .org? (assuming these are the only available)

Legend.name · 02-19-2005, 11:57 PM

I'll definitely go for .org!

AdoptableDomains · 02-20-2005, 07:24 AM

For "community" type sites such as clubs, forums, fan sites,etc. I like .net best, then .org followed by .info.

.com and .biz are pretty much out since it would indicate you intend to profit from the celebrity's name.

Jiblob · 02-20-2005, 07:37 AM

I would say that .info would be best if You can get the exact name of the thing you are making a Fan Site about

dgridley · 02-20-2005, 07:51 AM

I'm thinking more specifically a fan site related to a general segment and not one clebrity specifically... myself, I'm leaning toward .org, not a big fan of .net and .us would be too limiting IMO (implying it's applicable to the US segment only).

Thanks for your comments.. anyone else care to weigh in?

Originally Posted by AdoptableDomains

.com and .biz are pretty much out since it would indicate you intend to profit from the celebrity's name.

EbookLover · 02-20-2005, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by AdoptableDomains

For "community" type sites such as clubs, forums, fan sites,etc. I like .net best, then .org followed by .info.

.com and .biz are pretty much out since it would indicate you intend to profit from the celebrity's name.

I disagree. While it is technically wrong to build an info site on a .COM or really, anything but a .INFO, that is very unrealistic of the way the web actually works and is perceived by users. Most web surfers have no idea what the extensions stand for or what they should be used for, nor do they care. Extensions seemed to be branded inside the average surfers head in the following rank...

.COM
.NET
.ORG

So, if .COM is available, regardless of the site contents, I would buy the .COM because of it's mass familiarity. let's face it, if tey remember your domain name but not the extension, they will most likely try the .COM extension first. And possibly never even try another extension if the .COM does not return the site they were looking for.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/71078-fan-sites-which-ext-is-preferable.html

IMO, using extensions properly is not practical for the site owner seeing how the surfers do not think the same way the domain industry does.

To answer the OP, I'd go with the .NET first if no .COM is available but would seriously consider looking for a different domain that has the .COM available if your intent is to build a site to market it yourself.

Commerce site or not, .COM is most widely known and used.

Rules are OK when they are practical but when they are not, to listen to them and abide by them will always hurt you as they make you think practically within an impractical world/industry. Bad mix. It is for this reason I believe that the current domain/addressing system of the internet as we know it today could quite possibly not be the same system we will see 10 to 20 years from now, making all these great .COMs we are all buying today worth .ZIP in the near to kinda near future.

AdoptableDomains · 02-20-2005, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by zquest

I disagree. While it is technically wrong to build an info site on a .COM or really, anything but a .INFO, that is very unrealistic of the way the web actually works and is perceived by users. Most web surfers have no idea what the extensions stand for or what they should be used for, nor do they care. Extensions seemed to be branded inside the average surfers head in the following rank...

.COM
.NET
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078
.ORG

So, if .COM is available, regardless of the site contents, I would buy the .COM because of it's mass familiarity. let's face it, if tey remember your domain name but not the extension, they will most likely try the .COM extension first. And possibly never even try another extension if the .COM does not return the site they were looking for.

IMO, using extensions properly is not practical for the site owner seeing how the surfers do not think the same way the domain industry does.

To answer the OP, I'd go with the .NET first if no .COM is available but would seriously consider looking for a different domain that has the .COM available if your intent is to build a site to market it yourself.

Commerce site or not, .COM is most widely known and used.

Rules are OK when they are practical but when they are not, to listen to them and abide by them will always hurt you as they make you think practically within an impractical world/industry. Bad mix. It is for this reason I believe that the current domain/addressing system of the internet as we know it today could quite possibly not be the same system we will see 10 to 20 years from now, making all these great .COMs we are all buying today worth .ZIP in the near to kinda near future.

It depends on what your definition of "preferable". I generally prefer not to have UDRP's or lawsuits filed, and think that this is less likely with a non-dotcom name. Let's say we were talking about a fan site for Paul McCartney. Lets say you did have a choice of any TLD and chose .com. Then let's say Paul McCartney decides he wants a domain for himself to promote himself commercially, and all the gTLD's of his name are developed as fan sites, locking him out of using his own name. What name do you think he'll file a UDRP on? ...DOT-COM. Yes, dot-com is the best choice for hits. It's the worst choice for proving good faith use to a UDRP panel when registering someone else's given and/or business name.

Fan sites are on the very edge of that gray line between good faith and bad faith cybersquatting. I'd rather err on the safe side and keep my site.

dgridley · 02-20-2005, 09:20 PM

Precisely why domainers need to start thinking "out of the box" and stop following the crowd blindly and strike out on their own.. no domain is worth it's salt without branding and development.. the ext IMO is a distant second consideration to the root. COM is on it's way out.. may be years still but gradually it will be replaced by other ext.

Originally Posted by zquest

It is for this reason I believe that the current domain/addressing system of the internet as we know it today could quite possibly not be the same system we will see 10 to 20 years from now, making all these great .COMs we are all buying today worth .ZIP in the near to kinda near future.

***SpareDomains*** · 02-20-2005, 09:28 PM

I still prefer .com but if that's gone I do like .org instead of .net for a fan club type site.

dgridley · 02-20-2005, 09:40 PM

Thanks for your comments... while .com is undoubtedly universal, I just feel so many are stuck in that "gotta be .com" mindset... it's a shame because there are many other ext that fit the bill just as well, if not better IMO.

.info, I predict (for example), will eventually supplant .com for informational sites and eventually outpace .com as to value for sites that are primarily informational. Anyone dispute that?

IdahoFarmer · 02-20-2005, 11:55 PM

I respectfully dispute that. Perhaps very, very long term this might be the case... but for the foreseeable future dotcom is king. Dotcom is ingrained in the culture. "The Dotcom era" "The Dotcom bust" "Monster.com" "eBay.com" "Amazon.com" "Dell.com". All major market players are dotcom... which continues to reinforce the culture.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078

The shift will begin only when Fortune 500-esque entities begin significant marketing of non-dotcom names. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not for many many years to come.

The reason I believe it will be many many years is the cost of transition. No one wants to be the first to make the move as they know, and rightfully so, that url recall will be weaker than normal and significant type in traffic will go to the dotcom.

dgridley · 02-21-2005, 12:18 AM

I think the shift will be made as a result of cost effectiveness measures.. why pay $1000's for a domain name when with a little effort you can reg a lower tier example and brand it?

Today's companies are fast becoming leaner and meaner.. I think we'll see this shift sooner than either of us anticipate..

Originally Posted by IdahoFarmer

The shift will begin only when Fortune 500-esque entities begin significant marketing of non-dotcom names. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not for many many years to come.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078

The reason I believe it will be many many years is the cost of transition. No one wants to be the first to make the move as they know, and rightfully so, that url recall will be weaker than normal and significant type in traffic will go to the dotcom.

Rob · 02-21-2005, 07:13 AM

Fan sites look good with a .net IMO. You can incorporate this into the name, eg HalfLife.network

PE-Steve · 02-21-2005, 07:15 AM

.com,.net,.org are probably the best

Virgil · 02-21-2005, 10:52 AM

My choice for Fan sites -> .net, .org, .com

dgridley · 02-21-2005, 10:56 AM

Thanks again.. remember the choices given were .net, .org, and .us...

marisolblue · 02-21-2005, 11:53 AM

I would say com first and .org second

dgridley · 02-21-2005, 01:33 PM

Ahem.. how does .com keep cropping up? lol, see above...

Originally Posted by marisolblue

I would say com first and .org second

nRnF · 02-21-2005, 01:37 PM

IMO .net

domaindude · 02-21-2005, 02:25 PM

1) .net
2) .org
3) .us

domaindude

dgridley · 02-21-2005, 03:36 PM

Hm, looks like the consensus is .net which surprises me! I would have thought .org would make a better fit...

Anyways, thanks again for the comments!

AdoptableDomains · 02-21-2005, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by dgridley

Hm, looks like the consensus is .net which surprises me! I would have thought .org would make a better fit...
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078

Anyways, thanks again for the comments!

.org would lend a little more credibility that it's non-profit. I still think the default pecking order is com>net>org which would make .net one step better than .org for type-ins.

Just my opinion...

equity78 · 02-21-2005, 08:54 PM

I think if you use .org and profit one penny people may be upset by that. I would go with .net though I don't like .net but .org may have some politically correct surfers feel they have been misled.

DG I usually agree with you on most topics but I think it is premature to think .com going by the by very quickly. Big companies who understand branding better than most know that .com is ingrained and I own many more non .coms so I am not a .commie. I think why change would be their perspective. Small business has to brand the ext then maybe get a competition going but Joe Blow Postman knows .com never heard of .us let alone .cc or .ws Granny Smith aol.com aarp.org what's a .sc ?I doubt that will change and why would it change from their perspective this is a tight knit industry but is very small. Rest of the world doesn't really care. IMO
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078

Good Luck with site.

dgridley · 02-21-2005, 09:06 PM

Thanks for your comments.. I think we'll eventually find that .com has already begun an infitestmal shift toward a decline in popularity. You're correct in your assumption that .com is better known.. but I liken ext's to a zip or postal code... business address comes with a zip code people either have to look up or remember, website the same way.. it's all a matter of proper marketing. Many of these ext are new but already we're seeing some nice sales... more will come with DEVELOPMENT (not parking)...

Anyway, speaking of .com is getting off topic as the domains I was considering , .com was already taken.

Originally Posted by equity78

DG I usually agree with you on most topics but I think it is premature to think .com going by the by very quickly. Big companies who understand branding better than most know that .com is ingrained and I own many more non .coms so I am not a .commie. I think why change would be their perspective. Small business has to brand the ext then maybe get a competition going but Joe Blow Postman knows .com never heard of .us let alone .cc or .ws Granny Smith aol.com aarp.org what's a .sc ?I doubt that will change and why would it change from their perspective this is a tight knit industry but is very small. Rest of the world doesn't really care. IMO
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078

Good Luck with site.

equity78 · 02-21-2005, 09:17 PM

I agree DEVELOPMENT with Branding of the ext so people will equate Baseball.sc the whole name including ext as a brand I think this is what has got to be done for these to move forward and gain some ground in realtionship to .com.

I would go with .net I told you because if you not a non profit some might not like that. IS their a .info avail?

02-19-2005, 11:50 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
dgridley NamePros Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 18,396 Follow @davew3b	Fan Sites: which ext is preferable? Fan site related domains: .net, .us, or .org? (assuming these are the only available) __________________ davew3b tumblr blog \| davew3b posterous blog

02-19-2005, 11:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Legend.name Strength & Honor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Classic.name Posts: 5,083	I'll definitely go for .org! __________________ PM ME FOR FOREX INVESTMENT!

02-20-2005, 07:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
AdoptableDomains Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,015	For "community" type sites such as clubs, forums, fan sites,etc. I like .net best, then .org followed by .info. .com and .biz are pretty much out since it would indicate you intend to profit from the celebrity's name. __________________ AdoptableDomains.com ~~~~~Finding Good Homes for Good Names~~~~~ FuelPrices.mobi - Fish.us - ManhattanNewYork.net - Salesmen.info - SoundSystems.org Dickering.com - JobPlacement.biz - LotteryTickets.ws - Deleted.cc - Names.im - MP3.hn

02-20-2005, 09:40 PM	THREAD STARTER #10 (permalink)
dgridley NamePros Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 18,396 Follow @davew3b	Thanks for your comments... while .com is undoubtedly universal, I just feel so many are stuck in that "gotta be .com" mindset... it's a shame because there are many other ext that fit the bill just as well, if not better IMO. .info, I predict (for example), will eventually supplant .com for informational sites and eventually outpace .com as to value for sites that are primarily informational. Anyone dispute that? __________________ davew3b tumblr blog \| davew3b posterous blog

02-20-2005, 11:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
IdahoFarmer mmm ... Pizza .... Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 335	I respectfully dispute that. Perhaps very, very long term this might be the case... but for the foreseeable future dotcom is king. Dotcom is ingrained in the culture. "The Dotcom era" "The Dotcom bust" "Monster.com" "eBay.com" "Amazon.com" "Dell.com". All major market players are dotcom... which continues to reinforce the culture. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078 The shift will begin only when Fortune 500-esque entities begin significant marketing of non-dotcom names. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not for many many years to come. The reason I believe it will be many many years is the cost of transition. No one wants to be the first to make the move as they know, and rightfully so, that url recall will be weaker than normal and significant type in traffic will go to the dotcom. __________________ Idaho Farmer Will someone get me a pizza please?

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02-20-2005, 07:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jiblob Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: .co.uk Posts: 2,237 Follow @coultonluke	I would say that .info would be best if You can get the exact name of the thing you are making a Fan Site about

02-20-2005, 09:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
*SpareDomains* Business Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,462	I still prefer .com but if that's gone I do like .org instead of .net for a fan club type site.

02-21-2005, 07:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rob Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: England, UK Posts: 2,335	Fan sites look good with a .net IMO. You can incorporate this into the name, eg HalfLife.network

02-21-2005, 07:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
PE-Steve NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 622 Follow @BuffaloMG	.com,.net,.org are probably the best __________________ Buffalo Media Group ► Innovative Website Design & Development ► Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Internet Marketing ► Logo Design / Corporate Identity & Graphic / Print Design

02-21-2005, 10:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
Virgil NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 958	My choice for Fan sites -> .net, .org, .com

02-21-2005, 10:56 AM	THREAD STARTER #16 (permalink)
dgridley NamePros Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 18,396 Follow @davew3b	Thanks again.. remember the choices given were .net, .org, and .us... __________________ davew3b tumblr blog \| davew3b posterous blog

02-21-2005, 11:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
marisolblue NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 371	I would say com first and .org second

02-21-2005, 01:37 PM	#19 (permalink)
nRnF Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,567	IMO .net __________________ TargetDomain.com - Reseller Accounts - Domain Sales - Resources FREE Joomla & WordPress Domain Analyzer Submit your domain News & Articles

02-21-2005, 02:25 PM	#20 (permalink)
domaindude NamePros Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In Domain Fog Posts: 145	1) .net 2) .org 3) .us domaindude __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DneStore.com

02-21-2005, 03:36 PM	THREAD STARTER #21 (permalink)
dgridley NamePros Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 18,396 Follow @davew3b	Hm, looks like the consensus is .net which surprises me! I would have thought .org would make a better fit... Anyways, thanks again for the comments! __________________ davew3b tumblr blog \| davew3b posterous blog

02-21-2005, 08:54 PM	#23 (permalink)
equity78 NamePros Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 7,639	I think if you use .org and profit one penny people may be upset by that. I would go with .net though I don't like .net but .org may have some politically correct surfers feel they have been misled. DG I usually agree with you on most topics but I think it is premature to think .com going by the by very quickly. Big companies who understand branding better than most know that .com is ingrained and I own many more non .coms so I am not a .commie. I think why change would be their perspective. Small business has to brand the ext then maybe get a competition going but Joe Blow Postman knows .com never heard of .us let alone .cc or .ws Granny Smith aol.com aarp.org what's a .sc ?I doubt that will change and why would it change from their perspective this is a tight knit industry but is very small. Rest of the world doesn't really care. IMO ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=71078 Good Luck with site.

02-21-2005, 09:17 PM	#25 (permalink)
equity78 NamePros Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 7,639	I agree DEVELOPMENT with Branding of the ext so people will equate Baseball.sc the whole name including ext as a brand I think this is what has got to be done for these to move forward and gain some ground in realtionship to .com. I would go with .net I told you because if you not a non profit some might not like that. IS their a .info avail?

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