.co $6 million wasted on .co registrations.

[snoop]

$6 million wasted on .CO registrations.

I am somewhat surprised at the level of interest in .co over the last couple of days, from bloggers claiming it is now in the "top 4 extensions" and being worth 10% of a .com to others talking about developing these names and other madness.

A few comments about .co,

1. In my view the main appeal with this extension is typo traffic. Having said that, looking at some Alexa rankings, compete scores and Google Adwords data I would say only the very best generic .co's are going to get much traffic. The registry made a calculated decision when deciding to go public. The main area is likely to be ™ names (registry passes the buck). Even then it seems the registry has done a good job connecting with big sites. Still I think the ™ typo area is the main opportunity.

2. Considering point one, that these names are totally confusing, how does it makes sense to consider developing these names names.

Would you develop a misspell?
Would you develop a .cm?
Then why would you develop a .co?

The extension is going to be totally confusing for the average person on the street. .biz would be a better choice for development.

3. Reg fees - they aren't cheap and it is going to suck out a lot of the profitability from these names. Whatever value was there is 25% of that with reg fees 4 times higher than other extensions.

4. It's different this time! Isn't it?

.ws, .cc, .tv, .biz, .info, .us, .eu, .mobi, .tel, .me.

Supposedly with every new extension it is going to be different. There is always some compelling reason or argument as to why the latest extension will succeed where other have failed. People will debate it for the next year or two.

In reality it never is different. People get excited for a few months. .co is cool and new, and the fact that nobody actuallly uses it isn't that important yet, after all there is time for growth. Then interest wanes, things turn out not quite as planned. A year later everyone is dropping. People then get angry with the registry saying a lot was promised and not delivered.

Why do the same mistakes keep getting repeated? The registry is setting people up for today, the day when they part with their money and register 200,000 .co names. Most of the money goes into the launch and promoting premium auctions. Afterwards doesn't matter much. Get ready to be strung along a lot.

6. Staged sales/usage: You've been sold to!

disrupt.co, no_url_shorteners, o.co

There is not much genuine news in this. Disrupt.co was part of an advertising deal. Did you really think techcrunch just chose to use that name? o.co, a sale that appeared a few hours before the launch, the registry is pouring some fuel on the fire here. They want to get you excited for today.

7. Who is even using this extension?

This is .mobi all over again, instead of the big backers who weren't really backing (Google, Microsoft etc) we've got 3 well known sites supposedly adopting .co (Twitter, Overstock, Techcrunch), do you think these people will be anywhere near the extension in 12 months time? How significant is this usage anyway, a url shortener? Overstock doing a url redirect to their main site? Techcrunch promoting a site for a week or so?

 

[westlife1127]

yeah,
i agreed.
same things happenning on .ME
experienced so many "fake news", .ME is proved a scam throughout the domaining industry.while you find out many so-called "high-price sold".MEs are still asleep with a silly parked pages,as .show.me call.me , date.me

the .ME registry is not only a scam ,but also a "news maker".
supposed Montevigro replaced by Uguslavia, .Me survives.

suck!!!

 

[Bluefire1]

LOL @ all the people saying its a waste of money.Its called an investment.and no investments are without risk.

If it doesnt sell..hey its only $30

 

[DNProperty.com]

Its about branding and who has the leadership position (first to market and first in the minds of people)..

For a .co (a necomer) to start taking a shot at a .com, there has to be a Clear Need, which is what I don't agree with. Yes its shorter, it may even sound logical, but there is no clear need for an alternative to .com. Without a real need there is no hole to fill in the market.

Again, the reason cctlds are doing well, they all have a specific need in the market (focussed and country specific) which .com cannot compete with from a niche targetting standpoint and the same reason lot of other extensions are dwindling without a purpose.

.co will work fine for Colombia and anything more is just gravy if it does.

 

[JB Lions]

lol at the haters on the .co domains.. they either

1. Dont know the benefits of the .co
2. They cant afford it,
3. They must of bought a few .me's and a few .info's in the past and have made nothing out of them hence the hate is flowing over the .co's.


Forget the bloody search engines for now and where the tld came from and what people have to say about the .co just use your own intellect.. and judge it on the basis of what it is thats what i did.

.co is almost the same as .com. '.co.' is a shorter version of the '.com' - this alone makes the .co supersede the .com. Its much shorter, easier to remember and more convenient. Naturally your brain will click more easily with a .co as oppose to .me's .info's etc. As you know im sure the shorter the domain is the better... this will make google want to harvest .co's more than any other domain extension such as .me, .info's. Again its a natural process which the search engines will take action on.

As for what people are saying about .co's its already been released as a global extension and google have confirmed it will put it on par with the .com and the .net, .org globally.

Search engines like google will want to index .co's even more simply because the .co is shorter than the .com.


Those who miss out on the .co era will be knocking their heads in a few years time... and threads like these will be like going down memory lane for them...

haha, you spent way too much on this one didn't you? Now you're worried.

There's is just so much in your posts that doesn't make any sense.

Like what I bolded.

As was pointed out in another post. Ask people not in this business about .co. They'll look at you with a puzzled look on their face and have no idea what you're talking about. So it can't be "Forget the bloody search engines" because therein lies the only hope.

If you're putting any time in trying to brand .co, you're wasting your time, should take that $30 and go buy a marketing 101 book or one on consumer behavior. Again, .com too ingrained with people. .co will just confuse people, nothing more.

Just for fun, let me make a rap analogy. Not to offend anybody but you ever hear that line, you can't make a ho a housewife. You can't make a co a com.

 

[DU]

you can't make a ho a housewife. You can't make a co a com.

It would be a better analogy if it were you can't make a housewife a ho.

 

[JB Lions]

It would be a better analogy if it were you can't make a housewife a ho.

Nah, works better the other way. Nobody is trying to make a .com a .co, some (delusional people) are trying to make the .co the next .com. Not happening. You might play around the .co for a little while but .com will always be the foundation.

 

[Kate]

LOL @ all the people saying its a waste of money.Its called an investment.and no investments are without risk.

If it doesnt sell..hey its only $30

Not quite.
Too many people enter the domain business without understanding the difference between investment (calculated risk) and wild speculation or downright gambling (throwing money away in the hope dreams come true).

Yeah, it's only $30 a pop but there are people that purchase hundreds of domains on a landrush - with no prior experience whatsoever with domain names. Then surprise, a year later they drop out after losing lots of money. That painful experience could be avoided but sometimes people don't learn from the mistakes and experience of others, they must take a stab and suffer

 

[snoop]

LOL @ all the people saying its a waste of money.Its called an investment.and no investments are without risk.

If it doesnt sell..hey its only $30

Hands up all those .co speculators who only registered one name.

Hands up all those who registered .co's and are seeing some kind of return that would qualify these names as an "investment" rather than speculation.

 

[DU]

Hands up all those .co speculators who only registered one name.

Me. But if everything pans out I'll be able to retire ... lol

 

[italiandragon]

Me. But if everything pans out I'll be able to retire ... lol

I'd like you to expand that.

 

[RHenderson]

I didn't purchase a single .Co ....all of the names on my list were taken. I'm not going to 'settle' on a name just so I'll have a .co either. I already own 4 .com.co's and if .co's start to develop/sell, then I should be able to cash in on that market.

I was one of those that believed .Co's were a great investment for US/English domain market and that they would give .com's a run for their money lol... I guess sometimes we just get excited and ahead of ourselves without taking time to think. I listened to the veterans and then took time to research and think for myself and I came to the conclusion that .Co is nothing more than hype and might be really great for Colombia but that's probably about it. Thanks to all of the sensible people that know what they are talking about for saving me lots of $$$$$ this past 20th

 

[keadams26]

) but there is no clear need for an alternative to .com. Without a real need there is no hole to fill in the market.

I have to disagree with this point. I believe the need for an alternative is huge and long over due. The need was created by the growth of the .com. How many .com names have you see that have a number or letter at the beginning or end of keywords? I see it all the time.

 

[hawkeye]

I have to disagree with this point. I believe the need for an alternative is huge and long over due. The need was created by the growth of the .com. How many .com names have you see that have a number or letter at the beginning or end of keywords? I see it all the time.

So tell us 'why' .co is the extension that is an 'alternative' for .com please. And, why it would be more-so an alternative than any other extension, especially as people have been able to use 'any other' extension as an alternative up to now?! Is it because the world has been 'waiting' for that special 'certain' new cctld to arrive, and will 'know' it's going to be an 'alternative' to .com? It's just another extension, that is available to reg what one can, sell what one can, and develop what one can. To think it's going to be 'the next great extension', is simply another case of 'New Extension Grand Illusionment'.

The funny part about all the .co chearleading and chearleaders, is that if you look closely, one can notice that 75%+ of them, are new to the forums, and more than likely new to domaining. But they 'know' .co will be a great success. (Will they share some stock tips with us too??)

 

[ctbon]

uyt

 

[Animator]

My links.co is better then your dnURLs.com

WTF is dn ? Why is it stick together with URL? what is U.R.L anyways ?

---------- Post added at 09:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 AM ----------

I didn't purchase a single .Co ....all of the names on my list were taken. I'm not going to 'settle' on a name just so I'll have a .co either. I already own 4 .com.co's and if .co's start to develop/sell, then I should be able to cash in on that market.

I was one of those that believed .Co's were a great investment for US/English domain market and that they would give .com's a run for their money lol... I guess sometimes we just get excited and ahead of ourselves without taking time to think. I listened to the veterans and then took time to research and think for myself and I came to the conclusion that .Co is nothing more than hype and might be really great for Colombia but that's probably about it. Thanks to all of the sensible people that know what they are talking about for saving me lots of $$$$$ this past 20th

It looks like you failed to get some good .COs and now your crying and spreading hate on the extension to make you feel comfortable and proud of yourself.

 

[hawkeye]

My links.co is better then your dnURLs.com

WTF is dn ? Why is it stick together with URL? what is U.R.L anyways ?

..and you're 'up' on the domaining world and related terms eh?
Obvious why the .co rose colored 'blinders'.

 

[keadams26]

So tell us 'why' .co is the extension that is an 'alternative' for .com please. And, why it would be more-so an alternative than any other extension, especially as people have been able to use 'any other' extension as an alternative up to now?! Is it because the world has been 'waiting' for that special 'certain' new cctld to arrive, and will 'know' it's going to be an 'alternative' to .com? It's just another extension, that is available to reg what one can, sell what one can, and develop what one can. To think it's going to be 'the next great extension', is simply another case of 'New Extension Grand Illusionment'.

The funny part about all the .co chearleading and chearleaders, is that if you look closely, one can notice that 75%+ of them, are new to the forums, and more than likely new to domaining. But they 'know' .co will be a great success. (Will they share some stock tips with us too??)

No need to get your panties in a bunch. I am not a "cheerleader" of any sort. I got 3 .co domains, not because I am a speculator but because I could get keyword domains. Nothing more nothing less. I am not new despite my low post count.

I never said it is going to be a great extension. It is, in my opinion, "just another extension" but it's one that I was able to get with some generic keywords.

 

[ctbon]

uig

 

[KevDomains]

So tell us 'why' .co is the extension that is an 'alternative' for .com please.

If you can't see why or how it could be an alternative, then you have to open up your mind a little. Will it become half as successful as .com? Right now it's unlikely, but only time will tell and anything can happen. A lot of people are already putting the extension down, and it was just released 11 days ago.

 

[hawkeye]

No need to get your panties in a bunch. I am not a "cheerleader" of any sort. I got 3 .co domains, not because I am a speculator but because I could get keyword domains. Nothing more nothing less. I am not new despite my low post count.

I never said it is going to be a great extension. It is, in my opinion, "just another extension" but it's one that I was able to get with some generic keywords.

Yet you say -

.. I believe the need for an alternative is huge and long over due. The need was created by the growth of the .com. ..

And please, I'm not a hater. I've not said one thing bad about the .co extension, I've just commented on the remarks of how 'great' and 'the next big extension' and other 'wishful' rah rahs of the many blind cheerleaders here. So, it's probably your panties that are in a 'defensive bunch'.

 

[exsedo]

Sometimes what's needed is fresh eyes...I can understand why jaded domainers who were burned by .mobi, .eu, etc. are very hesitant to jump on this one as well but history doesn't always prove the rule. Nobody knows for certain whether .co will catch on with the public. It's too early to tell. All we can say with certainty is that this one is different than the other TLD's...will it makes us rich? you don't know, I don't know...that will depend on myriad factors. I do know, however, that standing on the sidelines and bashing the players without playing the game so you can say 'I told you so' is a bit lame. :imho:

Peace from a n00b! and good luck to all those who decided this punt was worth the risk %%-

If you don't buy a lottery ticket, you can't win the lottery. :hehe:

 

[keadams26]

Yet you say -



And please, I'm not a hater. I've not said one thing bad about the .co extension, I've just commented on the remarks of how 'great' and 'the next big extension' and other 'wishful' rah rahs of the many blind cheerleaders here. So, it's probably your panties that are in a 'defensive bunch'.

hawkeye, I've read many of your thoughts, opinions, and ideas on here and respect you quite a bit. I am just commenting on your attacking everyone that shows a little excitement out of being able to get a domain they were not able to attain in the past. I would agree with the rah rahs and gloating getting to be a little much. I can see your agitation from that perspective. I think the squatters are going to be in for a rude awakening but, I do think the folks that purchased the highly searched generics with development plans will do ok.

I am curious to know your opinion on folks that have secured domains such as LaptopComputers, PlasmaTelevisions.co and the like. Do you view that as a waste of money?

 

[ctbon]

kufy

 

[bmugford]

I have to disagree with this point. I believe the need for an alternative is huge and long over due. The need was created by the growth of the .com. How many .com names have you see that have a number or letter at the beginning or end of keywords? I see it all the time.

There are already countless alternatives...

- .NET
- .ORG
- .INFO
- .BIZ
- Any number of respected ccTLD
- Hyphenated .COM

Plus many others. What makes .CO so special? I mean outside their fancy marketing campaign.

Brad

 

[keadams26]

There are already countless alternatives...

- .NET
- .ORG
- .INFO
- .BIZ
- Any number of respected ccTLD
- Hyphenated .COM

Plus many others. What makes .CO so special? I mean outside their fancy marketing campaign.

Brad

Nothing really makes it fancy, I guess. Just the fact that, even for those extensions, the keyword domains are long gone. I am not really touting .co as the next big thing, I just like that I was able to grab a few names that I had no shot at with those other extensions.