Domain Names in the Toilet!
No this is not what you think! It is not another post on how bad things are going in the economy yada yada yada!!!
I am in Europe at the moment on my Laptop Nomads Trip and have just spent 10 days in Switzerland.
I have been there before but was reminded of how spectacular the place is!
Also how well run it is. Everything was on time and worked well. The trains were fantastic, without doubt the best of our four months so far. If a train is running 15 seconds past its due time then it is running late in Switzerland. You can set your Swiss watch by them. 
Anyway domain names are NOT in the toilet far from it (the best long term investment there is at the moment IMHO) But they are on the toilets.
It has been very interesting over the past 4 months travelling through the UK & Europe taking note of the domain names on advertising etc. Without a doubt I have seen far far more companies using their ccTLD’s (Country Code Top Level Domains) eg www.toitoi.ch over the .com. This is good news for people getting into the domain name space as there are many many opportunities available for people to focus on their ccTLD’s if the .com is gone. Its a no brainer that if the .com is availble and affordable then you should try and get it but you can still do well without it outside of the US.
Although the US has a very large population of approx 301,139,947 people that still leaves over 6 Billion people who do not necessarily see the .com as their domain of choice.
Travelling is a very very eye opening experience in many ways, in regards to domain names it just confirms my strong belief in ccTLD’s and their future.
Take a look around where you live and see what people and companies are using for domains and don’t miss out on opportunities by having the .com blinkers on.
Lyn | Oct 26, 2008 | Reply
This is one of the better more informative blogs I’ve read in a long time. I always knew and still feel strongly that .US is going to be a hot commodity in the domain world. Self branding a business is like saying “Made in a America.” I’m sure other countries feel the same way. I believe more people will become attached to their own country then .com. Since most are gone and to expensive, .us or whatever country code is the next expected ext. someone will pick up. Your country codes are on the A-List for brand idenity. I have a fabulous .us portfolio if any one is interested. It is for sale. Serious bidders only.
Email me at: msdakota@hotmail.com
Ben Wilks | Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
Lauterbrunnen is a great little town, did you go up to Jungfraujoch?
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Yes Ben it was fantastic. Brilliant place and we will be back.
Did you go there on your latest trip???
Ed
GPS | Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
For a port-o-potty company, ToiToi has a pretty nice website! (and it looks like they don’t cater to us crazy english speakers…..translations available in french, italian, and german….not english)
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Yes GPS
I did forget to mention that point, well done.
Just goes to show that they are not that interested in a global market and
catering only to their local market.
Cheers
Ed
David | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
Very well said. To many domainers are so focussed on the “Com is King” point of view that they forget it doesn’t matter which extension has the greatest value (on average). It’s the growth that matters!
When are you back in Oz?
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Hi David,
Back in Oz Jan 09 some time. No fixed date as yet.
I like your website http://www.netfleet.com.au, just shows how much the domain landscape is changing in Oz.
Speak soon.
Ed