50 companies changed their .COM to a new gTLD

[Fancy.domains]

Hello,

An article with examples of companies using a new gTLD, rather than its original .COM address:

http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/why-50-websites-dumped-com-for-new-tld/

 

[zycfour]

This will change very fast when they realize they will never attract a western dollar.

This never happened...:D

 

[namezest]

I'm a Chinese domainer and I know we don't like "Chinese" domains AT ALL. It's very complicated to type, you have to shift the input method at least twice.
Behind "周杰伦.中文网" is: zhoujielun "space to confirm" "change input method to English" "dot" "change input method back to Chinese" zhongwenwang "space to confirm".
However, I have thought of that, when one day, the Chinese input method gets improved and more domain name friendly. Chinese domains could have a market here, for end-users whose business is only in China.

I know the Chinese keyboards are extremely confusing I am writing an article on this to try to dispel some myths. As I understand it also in order to buy and sell Chinese domains you need to have at least one (1) full time employee in mainland China. This seems to me to effectively shut the door on many small domainers outside of China. But it is no different to what other countries are starting to do.

@zycfour if you don't mind I would be interested to get your input and view point on this subject. I will PM you.

 

[zycfour]

I know the Chinese keyboards are extremely confusing I am writing an article on this to try to dispel some myths. As I understand it also in order to buy and sell Chinese domains you need to have at least one (1) full time employee in mainland China. This seems to me to effectively shut the door on many small domainers outside of China. But it is no different to what other countries are starting to do.

@zycfour if you don't mind I would be interested to get your input and view point on this subject. I will PM you.

Actually, you can buy and sell Chinese domains without having any presence in mainland CN. It's just you can't build a website using CN name server if the TLD has no MIIT license. TLDs having the license are: .citic, .ren, .top, .wang, and .someCNcharactorsyouwouldnotbeinterested

 

[namezest]

Yes you can do that now but what I was saying is that is going to change in the next few years.
Correct me if I am wrong but the Chinese government is insisting on the changes by 2021.

 

[Mohammad]

That wan't a good idea! O.o

 

[baseballworld]

Hello,

An article with examples of companies using a new gTLD, rather than its original .COM address:

http://blog.europeandomaincentre.com/why-50-websites-dumped-com-for-new-tld/

Lets not go getting some huge hope up here. lol

 

[ResoluteDomains]

The "Chinese" domains were a good move especially since all Chinese domains will be required to be in "ALL" Chinese characters in the next few years per the requirement of the Chinese gov, so there goes the Chinese market...

Is this why they're buying up numbers left and right, because numbers are pretty much universal? Or do they have Chinese characters for numbers too? I honestly do not know, just curious. Where can I read more about this?

 

[NameSee]

Extrabold.design (extrabolddesign.com)

This type of change looks OK and reasonable.

 

[JB Lions]

Extrabold.design

They don't look like urls. It looks like somebody forgot to put a space after the period then started a new sentence with capitalizing the first letter.

 

[namezest]

Think people forgot that .com means commercial? Yes commercial is a term for business but it is also a term for advertising which is probably it's real meaning. Because before internet it was called BBS - Bulletin Board System. To a new generation .computer? .whatever .etc. .CLOUD? .falseadvertising .payperclick .adsense .keyword .ripoff .insane .maybe all the new extensions are really just another way for the owners of the mega expensive .coms to try to recoup the lost money they spent on those dot coms or make more because of their fame in the domain sales world? In any case after you really look, check the name sales history in the dot com and look at the new extension name.... So if that is the case that has to be bad news and a clear indicator of a very important and basic fact for a domain to really be worth anything content, content, content = users, members, income. Not oh google says this or that (seo) google will say anything to take your money and big sites will allow anything to be advertised so long as they make money? Half of those adverts are false advertising that has to hurt a domain especially when you have screen shots of your so called investment on way back machine, that probably has links to bogus sites via pay per click advertising because of cash parking, that really is not protecting your investment is it? Just some food for thought. But you know I am right investors do background checks on domains now just like employers do potential staff members.

 

[Coffeeman]

Meaningless.

 

[Fancy.domains]

Extrabold.design

They don't look like urls. It looks like somebody forgot to put a space after the period then started a new sentence with capitalizing the first letter.

Not to "us", but to coming generations.

Same reaction first time grandma saw a flat screen TV

 

[Fancy.domains]

But apart from that, .COM is anything but a vintage B/W TV-set.

.COM will remain the king of domains, even if there now are keyword+keyword alternatives that really makes sense.

.NET, .BIZ , .CO and a few more will "suffer" big time though.

 

[JB Lions]

This thread is a setup for a future one, 50 companies that realized they screwed up and went back to their .com. It's coming.

 

[Fancy.domains]

This thread is a setup for a future one, 50 companies that realized they screwed up and went back to their .com. It's coming.

Pretty much the opposite is my guess. Long, clumpsy names changed to short attractive new ones.

 

[brandnow]

This thread is funny because it's basically back and forth.. .com is king.. but ngtlds are good too... .com is king.. but ngtlds are good too!... but .com will always be THE KING!... but ngtlds are good!!! etc.etc.

 

[Fancy.domains]

This thread is funny because it's basically back and forth.. .com is king.. but ngtlds are good too... .com is king.. but ngtlds are good too!... but .com will always be THE KING!... but ngtlds are good!!! etc.etc.

Both can be great. A domain is not only it's extension. Personally, I believe both in good keyword + ngTLD combinations and .COM.

But I also guess that that 3-4 word .COM domains will become less attractive. 1 and 2 word .COM will still be sold for 4-5-6-7 figures.

 

[Potential.Domains]

....Change usually happens when something better comes along, some advancement etc. There is none here. These are more options when you can't get a decent .com, not a replacement. .com is too well known and used, way too far ahead. Even it's closest competitor, .net isn't even at 13% of regs. There is not going to be any changing on who is #1, the only possible shuffling will be in the lower ranks.

I have to say this, JB: Your argument against newgtlds makes no sense, and is mostly based on the opinions of a domainer stuck in the dot-com space.

So, a small, mid, large-size business, or people, should only register domains based on the popularity of strings? Disregarding their meaningfulness or representation? Funny!!

If you are a farmer, are you going to buy land for farming based on the popularity of the area, or the quality of soil (fertility)?

Are you going to go into business based on the popularity of the over-saturated market or based on the profitability of the market among other factors?

Not everyone does things based on popularity, and you ought to change from your one-sided point of view.

And why the aggressive comparison of newgtlds to dot-com? Dotcom has no meaning but will always be favored by many or some, for its commonness. But newgtlds, which are meaningful, will always be favored for what they represent.

You are the type that would probably pay $100k for JBfitness.com for example, when you can register JB.fitness for less than $30.

You cannot predict the future and consumer behaviors, which are always changing as technology changes.

 

[Kate]

I have to say this, JB: Your argument against newgtlds makes no sense, and is mostly based on the opinions of a domainer stuck in the dot-com space.

What he says is factual: new TLDs bring nothing new, they work just like old TLDs. They are not superior technology. Domain extensions are Internet infrastructure, like the decade-old protocols. So they tend to be stable.

You are the type that would probably pay $100k for JBfitness.com for example, when you can register JB.fitness for less than $30.

I wouldn't pay 100K for this, but I would find another .com that is within my budget.
I find your reasoning to be somewhat blindfolded: while it is true that you will save money on the initial acquisition, branding will cost a lot more in the long run, not to mention confusion.
A good domain works for you. A bad domain drags you down. You must promote it, not the other way round.

On top of that, there is no guarantee that .fitness (your example) will still exist in 5 years.
I guarantee you that some string will be phased out due to lack of profitability. The questions is when, and which ones.
But everybody is free to volunteer as an unpaid guinea pig....

 

[JB Lions]

I have to say this, JB: Your argument against newgtlds makes no sense, and is mostly based on the opinions of a domainer stuck in the dot-com space.

So, a small, mid, large-size business, or people, should only register domains based on the popularity of strings? Disregarding their meaningfulness or representation? Funny!!

If you are a farmer, are you going to buy land for farming based on the popularity of the area, or the quality of soil (fertility)?

Are you going to go into business based on the popularity of the over-saturated market or based on the profitability of the market among other factors?

Not everyone does things based on popularity, and you ought to change from your one-sided point of view.

And why the aggressive comparison of newgtlds to dot-com? Dotcom has no meaning but will always be favored by many or some, for its commonness. But newgtlds, which are meaningful, will always be favored for what they represent.

You are the type that would probably pay $100k for JBfitness.com for example, when you can register JB.fitness for less than $30.

You cannot predict the future and consumer behaviors, which are always changing as technology changes.

So you quoted something that made perfect sense and said it made no sense, that doesn't bode well for your wallet.

Stuck in .com space? People can buy any extension, nobody is stuck anywhere. And if you're going to be stuck somewhere, then the best would be a good place.

And then you go on talking about farming, that's a new one, will add it to my collection. In doing so, you have no idea you're actually making the case for .com. Quality of soil? Where do you think the biggest sites are on? Grown from what extension?

Then the ridiculous argument that you guys all make, a sure sign that you're new, that a .com is going to cost 100K or some high amount. And you used fitness as an example. Just last night, I used that as an example:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/pr...g-long-post-with-a-story.869703/#post-4938732

Post # 6. TaylorFitness.com available now for $888. So you're just about $99,112 off.

And I've pointed this out many times before, there is a blog that from time to time lists end user purchases:

http://domainnamewire.com/2015/07/15/20-end-user-domain-name-purchases/

Very reasonable .com prices.

 

[mad409]

deleted

 

[mad409]

Nevermind quote and reply isn't working right for some reason...

 

[Enfant]

But apart from that, .COM is anything but a vintage B/W TV-set.

I disagree. .COM IS NOT a vintage!

But I also guess that that 3-4 word .COM domains will become less attractive. 1 and 2 word .COM will still be sold for 4-5-6-7 figures.

True!

 

[sOliver]

Think people forgot that .com means commercial? Yes commercial is a term for business but it is also a term for advertising which is probably it's real meaning. Because before internet it was called BBS - Bulletin Board System. To a new generation .computer? .whatever .etc. .CLOUD? .falseadvertising .payperclick .adsense .keyword .ripoff .insane .maybe all the new extensions are really just another way for the owners of the mega expensive .coms to try to recoup the lost money they spent on those dot coms or make more because of their fame in the domain sales world? In any case after you really look, check the name sales history in the dot com and look at the new extension name.... So if that is the case that has to be bad news and a clear indicator of a very important and basic fact for a domain to really be worth anything content, content, content = users, members, income. Not oh google says this or that (seo) google will say anything to take your money and big sites will allow anything to be advertised so long as they make money? Half of those adverts are false advertising that has to hurt a domain especially when you have screen shots of your so called investment on way back machine, that probably has links to bogus sites via pay per click advertising because of cash parking, that really is not protecting your investment is it? Just some food for thought. But you know I am right investors do background checks on domains now just like employers do potential staff members.

Wrong assumption, COM stands for COMPANY. Back then the internet was not commercialized. COM was always supposed to be an extension for companies not for commerce. Google it if you don't believe me but theres a lot of wrong information too.

COM has so much value because of its recognition. You can't take that away. When I enter "namepros.com" into a browser, it's actually short for "namepros.company". Or when I enter namepros.co into a browser, guess what, it's short for namepros.company. Only consumers dont know that. They only know what DOT COM is. They know it will lead them to an "established" website. And that trust can be turned into sales. That's why businesses invest millions, because they know they can at least expect a positive ROI and the asset will not lose any value!

gTLDs are unproven. Positive ROI is not a guarantee. BUT with new gTLDs, one important thing will come into play again. Exact match queries. No one would search for "namepros company", but people search for "moving company" or similar keywords. That's why names like transfer.money, commercial.property or luxury.estate sold for what they did. It's shorter than commercialproperty.co or transfermoney.co. Yet they only fetched like 50k-100k because they are brand new names and unproven. It's great to set yourself apart from the competition, that's why people invest into new gTLDs TODAY, because they understand that DOT COM will not always be the only trusted domain extension there is.

Many extensions will fail, but some like .club, .nyc, .tips, .web may thrive, which can drive up the value of other extensions like money or estate. They will co-exist with DOT COM. INFO was the only viable gTLD out there for a long time and its not the greatest term, but other short terms make a lot of sense and will be valued by companies for what they are. Terms that possibly describe their business better than a DOT COM ever could. Why invest 100k into wine.club? For nothing? Or because you believe the ROI will be greater than that and you can't afford the 10 million for wine.com? Plus, consumers will still believe I'm a heck of a deal with a strong organic name like that.

Imho, 25% of all domain sales will be gTLDs in the next 5 years. We're already at 25% NON-COM sales now (based on reported numbers by holding companies which include ccTLD and other extensions like me,co, etc).

Everyone who says DOT COM will be the only successful extension is blinded. We don't know that yet. COM is just an abbreviation for company. Same as CO. CO is a great extension with many sales, but why hasn't it annihilated COM? Because it doesn't have the recognition. It hasn't been around for 30 years (1985), only 5+ (2010). That matters. Age matters.

Consumers are just waking up to the fact that we now can have names like tech.news .. and it will take time before they accept it. That's why I believe the most important thing right now for any gTLD investor is that Google changes google.com to search.google or similar - when that happens gTLDs have momentum. I believe sales will skyrocket for a while and then find a plateau somewhere. They will happily co-exist with DOT COM.

What I find interesting is that some gTLDs are already seeing typein traffic. Just imagine what it would be like when people start entering newyork.apartments or newyork.insurance or newyork.bars into their browser instead of apartments.com or insurance.com or bars.com. When we're at that stage and those names see real traffic from real consumers then we know that new gTLDs have succeeded and businesses will start paying premium prices for names with traffic. That's how DOT COMs got started. People were coming to website.com or restaurant.com by entering it into the address bar. Rick Schwartz made a killing from typein traffic. That's why DOT COMs have so much value too. They are not only trusted, they are considered the 'norm' (the default choice), but when consumers get used to typing in watch.youtube, what do you think will happen?

Speculate on the outcome of what happens when Google will start using its 42+ extensions (.google, .youtube, .play, .dev, .foo, .mov and so on) and make a decision whether you want to participate or not. Google have already publicly stated they will start using the extensions in late 2015.

I understand why DOT COM investors dont want them to succeed because it will hurt their negotiations and they lose a great deal of leverage. They have already lost leverage because many businesses dont want to or simply cannot afford to spend 1 million or even 20k for a domain. They go elsewhere and now they can like never before. That's the real value of new gTLDs. Liberation - and it does hurt DOT COM owners, not necessarily owners of names like Malls.com or Teamwork.com but owners of names like NewYorkDentist.com, OhioRealEstate.com, ... those names may lose in value because price is always driven by supply and demand. There's more supply now (alternatives) and less demand for DOT COM domains (by small businesses and startups who are already using DOT CO or DOT IO in hordes).

I would happily buy Mindmap.io, Accounting.io, TaxSoftware.co and take my chances with that. Ask yourself, if you owned a business what would you do? Buy a DOT COM for 20k or buy a DOT CO,IO,WEB,ESTATE for a lot less? I'm a business owner and I know what I'd do if I lacked the funds and needed a quick ROI to get my business started. There are more startups and new companies than established companies and they are generating a lot of demand that used to drive up prices.

However, I also understand brand development and when I am really serious about building a long-term business and have the required funds, well then i'd invest into a COM or a NET any day and have done so in the past myself. The recognition and trust of DOT COM and NET will allow me to safe a great deal of money in the future and that's worth it to me.

CONCLUSIONS (if you dont want to read entire block):

• COM stands for company not commercial, eCommerce was not established back then, but an extension for companies was required in some way
• Startups are increasingly going elsewhere and have more options now
• DOT COM owners lose SOME leverage during negotiation when dealing with small business owners and startups
• New gTLDs are getting early type-in traffic.
• Consumers could get used to entering phrases like watch.youtube, search.google, pay.barclays. When that happens, they may also start searching for nyc.apartments, boston.apartments, nyc.bars, nightclub.nyc, donuts.nyc, restaurant.nearme, bikeshop.where, bike.shop, ....
• GEO domains and popular exact match keywords may become winners in this new market
• New Google algorithm could play huge role and is a wildcard in all of this. You just never know with Google, they change directions very often. Right now brands are the answer but then a smart Google SEO may come along and say they could drive more organic traffic by ranking new gTLDs differently and voilà you have a completely new industry. And I'd bet Donuts Co is already sending out its lobbyists.

It's safe to assume that small businesses and registry operators are the big winners of this war. At the moment we can only speculate and make guesses. Nothing is set in stone.

 

[bmugford]

Startups are increasingly going elsewhere and have more options now

They might have more options, but here is an interesting study about the domains used by startups.

http://dngeek.com/2015/07/most-popular-domain-extensions-for-startups-in-q2-2015

After analyzing 449 newly funded start-ups that raised a combined 5.2 billion dollars in funding during the first quarter of the year we’re back with a Q2 report which is based on 748 newly funded startups who raised a whopping 10.9 billion dollars in funding during the second quarter of this year.

.COM was selected by over 75% of startups, which means it is actually increasing its lead.

How are the new gTLD doing among startups?

The big surprise for me is the increasing popularity of .me and .tv. Both of these extensions prove to be more popular among funded startups than all the new gTLDs combined. With a measly 6 startups that launched with one of the 329 new available domain name extensions the new Gs only take 0.8% of the pie.