Change Means OpportunityKey Domain Trends for Hosters in 2012

Thorsten Einig, MD Tucows Europe

Tucows / OpenSRS

• World’s largest domain wholesale provider• One of the world’s largest resellers of SSL

certificates, Sitelock, email, GoMOBI• 12,000+ resellers globally• Offices in Canada (HQ), USA, Singapore,

Germany, Netherlands

2012: Beginning of a Domain Revolution?

• New generic topleveldomains (gTLDs)• April: applications deadline • November: applications approved

and included in root zone• 2013: live

So what’s the big deal?

• Many new extensions since 2000– gTLDs:

• .INFO, .BIZ, .MUSEUM• .COOP, .AERO, .PRO - .ASIA, .CAT, .JOBS, .MOBI, .TEL, TRAVEL• .XXX

– ccTLDs:• .EU • Liberalization / commercialization /

automization, e.g. .DE, .CO, .FR

• 280 TLDs delegated in root zone, notably:– 20 gTLDs – 248 ccTLDs

The Problem: Limited Space

• Concentration on top TLDs– gTLDs: around 80% .COM– ccTLDs: top 10 make up 60% of registrations

• gTLDs are practically meaningless or unknown• IDNs limited• Influences on registration behavior: struggle for

second-level names– mycompanyinamsterdam.com– Secondary domain market / premium names

Enter New gTLDs

• The “Right of the Dot” gets a meaning– Brand TLDs,

e.g. .MICROSOFT, .UNICEF, .GOOGLE, .FACEBOOK– Internationalized TLDs, e.g. .عرب (.ARAB)– Geo-TLDs:, e.g. .BERLIN, .MELBOURNE – Community and generic TLDs, e.g.:

.SEARCH, .WEB, .CLOUD, .ECO, .GAY• The explosion:– 254 applicants so far (March 12)– 500 new TLDs? 2,000? 10,000?

Variety = Confusion?

• The Google Factor– “Just google me” /

“Use keyword…”– “Just QR-code me”?

• The Facebook Fear– “My Website?

http://www.facebook.com/opensrs”

Domain Name Numbers

Selection of Domain Names in the Future

• First choice: TLD

– Generics? (.WEB, .COM)– Industry/market/community?

(.HOTEL)– Geographic? (ccTLD, IDN, Geo-TLD)

• Less compromise on the SLD

Your Customer and nTLDs

• Serve your target group’s demands (TLD selection)

• Opportunities for the end user are your opportunities– Customized business websites – now with

customized domain names – Give customers what they need rather than what’s

free

Challenges and Chances for Your Hosting Business

• Educate customers and prospects, adapt your order processes

• Explore new sales areas– Geographically: Go International? (IDN, Geo-TLDs)– Industries: find niches (.BASKETBALL?)

• But remain focused– Do you really need to offer all TLDs?– Choose your TLDs and and your vendor (various

registries? One wholesale provider?

The Future of Domains in Hosting

• Domains are here to stay• But the market will change drastically – Starts in 2013– Full effects will not be immediate

• Get ready for the challenge and make it an opportunity!

Thank You!

Thorsten EinigMD Tucows Europe

Questions? Discussions?

• teinig@tucows.com• Visit us at booth #41