The .PRO Discussion

[InvisionTech]

It seems .PRO is slowly coming out of the cage with cheaper reg prices than they were a year ago and major registrars like netsol taking notice of the extension and promoting it.

Here are some that I picked up in last couple of days:

Alexandria.pro

Anchorage.pro

Arlington.pro

Belfast.pro

Birmingham.pro

Budapest.pro

Durham.pro

Fairfax.pro

Italian.pro

Lisbon.pro

Fire away with your regs after the relaunch on September 8th, 2008.

 

[Kate]

.pro has been stagnating since 2012, it may have reached a plateau.
I think it can certainly start shrinking.
For example, .name is a TLD that has lost many regs, I think it has to do with the introduction of .me.
Now I don't know if .pro would suffer from the introduction of .corp . inc .ltd etc if they were to be marketed without restrictions. Time will tell. But I'm not optimistic about .pro.
Even .pw has got twice as many regs almost. It's not that the marketing of .pw has been good, but it's more about the total lack of marketing from the .pro registry. It is perfectly understandable that end users are not mesmerized by a registry that is on auto-pilot.

 

[JoeBiz]

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?

 

[vadts]

croatia(.)pro

Dear friends!
Please help me to appraise Croatia(.)pro domain.
(I got offer mid $xxx)
PM only please!
Thank you.

 

[-EM-]

Dear friends!
Please help me to appraise Croatia(.)pro domain.
(I got offer mid $xxx)
PM only please!
Thank you.

accept it.

 

[Edward Smeu]

On a good day that can reach 4 figures (see russia.pro) but I would also sell for mid xxx. GL!

 

[Kate]

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?

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.

 

[Kuli]

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.

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.

 

[webdomain]

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!

 

[Kate]

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.

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:

 

[Kuli]

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.

 

[Kate]

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.

 

[webdomain]

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.

 

[webdomain]

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.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

del

 

[vadts]

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

 

[Kuli]

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

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

 

[webdomain]

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!

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

del

 

[gkjunior]

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!

All of this will be coming soon

 

[coolbreeze]

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.