In 2010 & beyond; What will constitute a TLD then?

[newdomainer.mobi]

The internet has changed a great deal since those first faltering steps just a few years ago....

I think there have been some TLD's that have not been adopted as well as was hoped & some have established strong niche appeal, the internet is expanding exponentially and I have a few on the extensions that will be strong through 2010 & beyond;

.com = Computer

= The number 1 extension, it is non-geographic (worldwide).... Generally speaking is a trustmark that the site has global appeal / relevance - weighted to the US but is seen as a trustmark that the site is respectable, global & available for all.
Virtually all .com sites are set-up for the best user experience via a large screen desktop PC although being accessible by many other devices subject to software compatibility, specific device set-up / mode etc...
There is nothing to stop all .com sites rendering well on a small screen device; it just means following the same rules for site development that .mobi has... but with billions of pages of older style pages out there .com will always be synonymous with the 'desk-top' computer & long may it reign as desk-top King.


.mobi = Mobile

= The number 2 extension, it is non-geographic (worldwide).... generally speaking is a trustmark that the site has global appeal / relevance - it's the new kid on the block & isn't showing any particular geographic bias as yet but it is a trustmark that the site has been set up to offer a good user experience to viewers on any device whatsoever, specifically small screen portable (mobile) devices but astute site building will allow a 'full screen' experience on a desk top too.
The extension has nothing special about it, it is simply means that you will be viewing a site that will be rewarding whatever device you use.... the same way a cc takes you to a site in a geographic region, an info site takes you to an information site.. a.mobi will take you to a multi-device friendly site... in todays ever more mobile world, it's an extension to look out for.

.cc = Country Codes

= The number 2 extension (collectively), acts as a trustmark that the site is based in the country in which you are looking. Great for businesses looking at their home markets & NOT beyond.. These will always have great value... of course there's little point in buying a portfolio of French generics with a .co.uk suffix or German keywords with a .us suffix... but following those obvious limitations these extensions are very popular indeed; even hosting regional sites of multi-nationals outside of a 'head site' on a .com...

.net = Internet

A secondary extension to .com because it is little more than an alternative to a .com extension; it doesn't act as a trustmark for very much else; weighted towards more tech / programmer / software use but so diluted by other usage that this means little. Still a global extension, not as well known or liked as .com but at present comes in at 4th place.


.info / .org /.biz = self-explanatory niche extensions

Of little commercial value except for some high value generics / keywords that have value in just about any extension... much maligned but an absolute perfect fit when used correctly, in a way it is surprising that .biz hasn't performed as well as the registrars had hoped; it seems ideal for businesses on the internet & maybe it will come of age.... by own opinion is that the abbreviation 'biz' is simply seen as a bit tacky / 2nd rate & this won't have been lost on the marketing folk of the business community...

.EU / .Asia = again, self explantory.

I'm not sure about these? They are neither country codes nor global.... they don't reflect the populations of these areas by religion, race etc.. they cover multi-racial, multi-language, multi-faith regions & whilst I see that .EU has a value based on businesses operating within the European Union (being a natural extension of a European country code) I cannot see the value in .ASIA except as part of the activity of 'domain collecting' but I'm sure others will see it differently.

.pro / .job etc. etc. = Very Niche indeed

I don't know enough about these to comment; they seem to be somewhat elitist, leaning towards being restrictive in who has access (as with any site; a site can be constructed with restricted access whatever the extension but these seem 'fit for purpose' in that respect).

.TV = Niche

I quite like .TV, I have none in my portfolio but I can understand that its an effective way of seperating the wheat from the Chaff.... domains that suit this broad niche will be valuable, domains that are not suited are simply 'collectables' & little more.


I have only listed the main ones that I have a view on... there are now 100's (most of which are CC's) but I do believe that there are only 4 TLD's that are of any significance when it comes to e-commerce / marketing / culture.

In order of relevance I forecast that the top 4 TLD's of 2010 will be; -

No.1 = .Com
No.2 = .mobi
No.3 = .cc
No.4 = .Net


The others are specifically targetted at niches.... for reasons synonymous to their names; .info being one

What else is afoot? Have I missed something? Do you disagree or agree.....?

Regards

Gary.

 

[onewordonly]

I think .info will become no 2 in time as they become more associated with "information". I'm not sure about .mobi... the mobile internet is definitly going to grow but it's another thing if .mobi will become that popular.

 

[Jeff]

.COM = Web (Computer -and- Mobile)!

I'm not sure about .mobi... the mobile internet is definitly going to grow but it's another thing if .mobi will become that popular.

^ Exactly! :imho:

Good post ... I concur with much of your thoughts, but humbly disagree on the aspect that .COM seems, if I'm understanding you correctly, pidgeon-holed with the desktop PC, IMHO.

I don't believe that either the "trustmark" or the branding of the .MOBI ("dot mobey") will, by 2010, amount to anything more than a small niche - when compared with the exciting technological evoltion of the greater Mobile Web on existing and successfully branded/established .COM platforms, in my view. :music: :talk:

Also, I see a growing market - for 2010 and beyond - for good, generic geographic .COM's and .ORG's (even more than .NET's), as well! :lala:
Just my two sense.
-Jeff

 

[newdomainer.mobi]

Jeff, where do .orgs come into their own with geographics? Am I missing something?

I don't argue a case regarding .info either way... I agree that it makes sense but most information tends to be non-commercially biased rather than E-Commerce based which is where the big bucks are.... internet buying already accounts for 15% of trade in the UK.... thats a staggering increase on just a year ago..

By the way; .Com isn't short for internet .net is....

.com = COMputer (a very dated term these days)..... although I don't disagree that strong (N.B. existing = current & past) branded .coms will broaden their appeal into the mobile web... indeed I hope that they do, just as the iphone (with its full browser) has brought the interNET away from the desktop COMputer.... & encouraged the development of MOBIle sites....

 

[Jeff]

Jeff, where do .orgs come into their own with geographics? Am I missing something?

I don't believe you're missing anything ... I just see the demand for good generic, GEO .ORG's expanding in 2010 and beyond, IMHO. :music:

.com = COMputer (a very dated term these days).....

You're saying that .com doesn't = COMmercial? :blink:

I agree that the iPhone (as you say, with its full browser) has "encouraged the development of mobile sites" ... but, clearly, not limited to small vanity, niche .MOBI websites! :imho:
-Jeff

 

[Venture]

edit* too slow

 

[newdomainer.mobi]

I still don't get the .org thing?

Jeff, I still don't get your .org link with Geo's..... the whole point of a .org was for 'Organisations' to have a Domain extension just for them...

Geo's are hardly organisations....... are they?

It just seems an erroneous use of the extension...? it's a bit like using .net or .com for a mobile specific 'football news' site imho...

By the way, just a small correction re; iphone sites / desk-top sites / broad spectrum mobile sites; -
There is nothing about mTLD's development requirements that preclude a .mobi site from looking pretty damn hot on both a 21" & 2.1" monitors... something tells me that someone (I won't name names) is failing to keep up to date with developments in that arena...

I'm not sure what insignificant Niche Bank Of America fits into? (BOFA.mobi)
or for that matter ATOC or JaguarXF or blackhawk or myquran or Iberia (airlines) etc... I could add a list a 100 pages long but the Mods won't approve...

So can we please stick with the thread.... or this'll have to be moved to the mobi section & I'm keen to discuss the other extensions too; for a start - I genuinely don't understand why .biz hasn't taken off?
Is it really simply a case that my theory is correct? (That .biz just sounds a bit tacky?)

Regards

Gary

I don't believe you're missing anything ... I just see the demand for good generic, GEO .ORG's expanding in 2010 and beyond, IMHO. :music:



You're saying that .com doesn't = COMmercial? :blink:

I agree that the iPhone (as you say, with its full browser) has "encouraged the development of mobile sites" ... but, clearly, not limited to small vanity, niche .MOBI websites! :imho:
-Jeff

 

[john645]

In My opinion, most TLDs will increase in value, but as they increase it will only lead to a biggest increase in .com values because fo the type in traffic typing .com instead of the other tld. I don't really like .mobi because You can theoretically use any TLD instead.

 

[newdomainer.mobi]

Hi John

I think that you are right regarding .com prices to a point...

However, I am concerned that the .com market is looking too much like the housing market... Yes .com's are at a significant premium to other TLD's but at present the prices can be so far into the stratosphere that they could drop a lot & still be at a significant premium.

My other comment is about the .mobi development restrictions because it is those that make the extension... You are quite right, ANY website can be built using ANY extension and still be developed within the mTLD criteria but I would argue that just as .com is synonymous with computers (desk-tops / lap-tops) then in time .mobi may well be headed for being the TLD associated with websites geared for small screen devices... because just as ANY domain extension can be used in place of a .com, so can any be used in place of .mobi....

But people favour .com don't they?..... so with branding, marketing, practicality, association .mobi is placed to be the most likely extension for the mobile market in a world where many have never seen a desk-top, billions are having their 1st computing experience on a portable, small screen device.. .mobi = synonymous with MOBIle...

The type in traffic is a valid point but I will say this; I spend hours online most days.... I cannot remember when I last tried to type in a reference hoping to reach a .com site... I use a search engine; granted that a .com will place well in the results but there are new search engines & new versions of search engines & new kinds of search engines so it is quite plausible that in 2 - 5 years time we will all be using type in traffic to monetize our .mobi sites with type in traffic from mobile device users...

But, I do think that .net & cc's will increase in value along with other extensions but I do fear that (the premium element of) .com values are almost totally reliant on 'type in' traffic when that traffic is on the wane....

I do appreciate the arguments that are voiced on this db, I am a newcomer to this arena & I do look at the industry with pretty fresh eyes.. but I have used the internet since the mid 90's & I really don't believe that my thinking (based on what I see, read & hear) is any more flawed than any of the counter arguments I receive... so I'm neither smug, complacent or fearful about the future...

Gary

In My opinion, most TLDs will increase in value, but as they increase it will only lead to a biggest increase in .com values because fo the type in traffic typing .com instead of the other tld. I don't really like .mobi because You can theoretically use any TLD instead.

 

[Steven]

I don't think .cc is doing well (imo).
I'm not sure about .mobi at the moment. It will depend on the future technology and what people prefer to use (.mobi or made for mobile browsers already installed or that can be installed on phone... also the improvement of the phone technology and its web browser)
.biz extension is a failure imo
I would say
1.) .com
2.) .net
3.) .org

 

[Jeff]

Geo's are hardly organisations....... are they?

Local chambers of commerce, regional tourism, area guide / information, etc. these types of organizations will have an increased demand for good, geographic .ORG's, IMHO. :music:

Again, are you stating that that .com doesn't = COMmercial? :blink:

I've never seen .COM equal "Computer", in this type of context IMHO.

I don't think .cc is doing well (imo).
I'm not sure about .mobi at the moment. It will depend on the future technology and what people prefer to use (.mobi or made for mobile browsers already installed or that can be installed on phone... also the improvement of the phone technology and its web browser)
.biz extension is a failure imo
I would say
1.) .com
2.) .net
3.) .org

Agree.

My rank (for 2010) is .COM (including Mobile!), .ORG, .NET! :gl: :imho:
-Jeff

 

[newdomainer.mobi]

That's interesting that you say CC's aren't doing well.... I really hadn't thought of them as being anything other than a roaring success (I think that the US weighting within .coms is largely responsible for a slow take up of .US)
.ASIA is too new but as there is no group of nations called 'ASIA' outside of school geography lessons I think it can be discounted - but for one thing

The internet is seen as a Western entity..... .com is seen as being US biased & it may come as a surprise to some of you (sic) but the USA isn't the most popular country out there in Asia... so it is entirely possible that .ASIA may gain ground by simply NOT being American / .COM... (just a theory)

My only counter argument regarding mobile phone browsers is that the argument about the success of .mobi has virtually nothing to do with technology, the tech issues are aside from the success of one extension over another.

Why?

Because no matter what extension is used & no matter what tech developments come of age; there is nothing you can do about 2 simple facts; -

1. Humans are basically unchanged (physically) over the last 10,000 years.... we are not going to genetically alter our eyesight.
Now, eyesight being what it is requires a readable (comfortable) site for all users - certainly not all will have 20/20 vision... This means that websites built for mobile applications will have to render on a small screen at a readable text / font size.

This does not mean that these sites will have to be built with .mobi but it does mean that these small screen sites will be built...

2. There is no denying that the mobile internet will be akin to the industrial revolution in changing, educating & policing the 3rd world as it develops rapidly into the developed world that we recognise... the industrialised west will not see it the same way.. it will just mean smaller screens, even less places where you can escape work / email etc.. but to the developing world it is going to be bigger than big... more huge than a really huge thing...

So, where does that leave the internet? with so many .com domains either owned & parked or owned & developed into non-small screen friendly sites... that leaves an awful lot of potential mobile sites having no alternative but to find another extension for their sites... especially where the site has nothing to do with it's .com namesake (which will be very common in the 3rd world) so what extension are they likely to use?

The answer is unknown... Fact.

It could still be .com FACT
It could be .mobi FACT
it could be CC's FACT
It could be any TLD (or non-TLD for that matter) FACT

But of all the available extensions.... which one fits best....

.com is universal & successful... so maybe we're looking for another universal TLD to become successful in the mobile web?

I'm not going to make any claims nor state my case just to wind anyone up... but take several steps back & look with 'new eyes'

What do you think?


Gary

 

[Jeff]

But of all the available extensions.... which one fits best....

For the full, unrestricted "on the go" user experience Mobile Web ... coming en masse with further advances in technology -and- adoption by MAJOR corporations such as Google, Yahoo, and Comcast and Facebook ... .COM fits the best! Hands down by 2010, as well IMHO. :yell: :talk:

What do you think?

Gary, since you asked ... your last post - in particular - has a clear .MOBI slant ... so I think the entire thread should be moved to the proper #1 Namepros .MOBI Forum™ for further discussion, IMHO. :gl:

Just my two sense.
-Jeff

 

[akcampbell]

That's very unbiased of you newdomainer.mobi to put .mobi at 2)!!! 2010 is probably too close to where we are know for anything really out of place to happen.

The problem .mobi will have is that too few keywords makes sense with it, the word itself is an ugly unnatural construct, and it's raison d'etre that browsers will always be too dumb to work out what screen size people are using so you need another extension for mobile phone users is getting less and less likely.

 

[ssamriga]

.com = Computer

Regards

Gary.

oh really?

 

[newdomainer.mobi]

What do you suggest?

small screen websites are inevitable (& are happening already) it's just the delivery thats up for grabs..... any extension or .mobi? that's the choice.... .mobi is no worse (uglier) than .com.... servers will never be 100% or anywhere near 100% in making auto-detect work well enough..

the point is that small sites with (in relative terms) larger text will be required for small screens.... so it's just about the delivery...

so why not .mobi (because any other extension is just hit & miss)

yes Jeff... if this gets any more biased it should be a .mobi chat so I'll leave the thread for some fresh comments about all the other extensions..

Gary

That's very unbiased of you newdomainer.mobi to put .mobi at 2)!!! 2010 is probably too close to where we are know for anything really out of place to happen.

The problem .mobi will have is that too few keywords makes sense with it, the word itself is an ugly unnatural construct, and it's raison d'etre that browsers will always be too dumb to work out what screen size people are using so you need another extension for mobile phone users is getting less and less likely.

 

[Jeff]

Clarification.

Gary, could you please clarify on your ".com = Computer" comment ...

.... .mobi is no worse (uglier) than .com

It is far uglier than .COM ... with four letters, two syllables, and - as akcampbell articulately stated - "the word itself is an ugly unnatural construct", IMHO.

Yes Jeff... if this gets any more biased it should be a .mobi chat so I'll leave the thread for some fresh comments about all the other extensions..

Sounds good, as your own #2 2010 relevance ranking for .MOBI here in this thread is just a tad biased ... again, as acknowledged above. :imho:
Thanks for the assist.
-Jeff

 

[PVFARKAS]

This thread should take a deep breath...there is crosstalk on different levels that do not match...

.com - commercial
.mobi - mobile
.net - network
.info - information
.org - organization
cc's - as first used here referred to country codes - not .cc, another tld

question to posters thus far: honesty, is .mobi hot so far in 2008?

 

[Jeff]

question to posters thus far: honesty, is .mobi hot so far in 2008?

Absolutely not, IMHO ... but that should be posted for discussion in the #1 Namepros .MOBI Forum™ ! :gl: :imho:

Thanks for understanding.
-Jeff

 

[PVFARKAS]

a red not, nice..

i just figured you'd give that.. ok if off post, i can respect that..

so the future of domains, i say there are some interesting ways to look at it..

personally, i think the domain industry will boom ahead at high speeds and with that comes a lot of play for investors in the Tld's above.

my take on the popularity in 2010..

.com
.mobi
.tv
.co.uk/.de/.in/.cn
.net
.org