3 ms·

Ask HN: Should I register several TLDs for our domain name?

3 points by rythie 17y ago

Is registering the .org, .info, .mobi TLDs etc. and all the country TLDs necessary for a start up?

ErrantX 17y ago
In a perfect world I would say the best case is to register the .com and .co.uk (and any other .co.XX country codes you wanted to launch in). And .mobi for mobile. But of course it's not a perfect world and if you dont snap up the others chances are domain squatters will wind their way in.
- jacquesm 17y ago
  Especially if you become anywhere near successful, and it is cheaper to get the domains right from the get go than to buy them back from some extortionist later.
jacquesm 17y ago
I got a full set of .com, .net and .org to stop any jokers doing spam campaigns or phishing attempts using our brand, for the amount of money involved it was well worth it ($30 / year). Beyond that, if you are in a certain locality and you plan to roll out with local press support it can't hurt to have your local tld version as well. If you want to roll out customized versions per country then you may have to go further, lots of countries have some pretty weird rules about registration though. Remember to get yourself a trademark issued too!
brk 17y ago
Can you name the last time you saw or used a .mobi domain? Or even a .info? A couple of the others might be valuable, but moreso other country domains (someone else mention the .co.uk and such already). I just wouldn't worry about the seldom used variant tld's myself.
- bjplink 17y ago
  If your site becomes even marginally successful it is almost inevitable that some jerkwad will register a .info or .cc version of your domain to try and take advantage. When you consider that a .info domain is around $1 it's probably worth your time to just register it now.
pclark 17y ago
yes. can't hurt.
hellweaver666 17y ago
I highly recommend you get .com .net .org .biz and .info for brand protection purposes. .mobi and .tel are probably a waste of time. I would only recommend you register ccTLD's for the country you plan to launch in and/or the country you are based in. If you are a truely global (i.e. web based) type company, then just the first five are probably fine. (disclaimer, I work for a domain registrar)
rythie 17y ago
I registered .com, .co.uk and .net when we started. We got an email today from a hosting company saying someone is trying to register .cc, .asia, .com.cn and 5 others. Someone has already bought .cn.
metastart 17y ago
Go for the cheaper ones...don't go crazy or worry too much though. If you can get .cn for china, that's probably the key one after .net and .org. .info or .mobi are mostly irrelevant.

3 points by rythie 17y ago

Is registering the .org, .info, .mobi TLDs etc. and all the country TLDs necessary for a start up?

In a perfect world I would say the best case is to register the .com and .co.uk (and any other .co.XX country codes you wanted to launch in). And .mobi for mobile. But of course it's not a perfect world and if you dont snap up the others chances are domain squatters will wind their way in.

jacquesm 17y ago
Especially if you become anywhere near successful, and it is cheaper to get the domains right from the get go than to buy them back from some extortionist later.

jacquesm 17y ago

I got a full set of .com, .net and .org to stop any jokers doing spam campaigns or phishing attempts using our brand, for the amount of money involved it was well worth it ($30 / year). Beyond that, if you are in a certain locality and you plan to roll out with local press support it can't hurt to have your local tld version as well. If you want to roll out customized versions per country then you may have to go further, lots of countries have some pretty weird rules about registration though. Remember to get yourself a trademark issued too!

brk 17y ago

Can you name the last time you saw or used a .mobi domain? Or even a .info? A couple of the others might be valuable, but moreso other country domains (someone else mention the .co.uk and such already). I just wouldn't worry about the seldom used variant tld's myself.

bjplink 17y ago
If your site becomes even marginally successful it is almost inevitable that some jerkwad will register a .info or .cc version of your domain to try and take advantage. When you consider that a .info domain is around $1 it's probably worth your time to just register it now.

pclark 17y ago

yes. can't hurt.

hellweaver666 17y ago

I highly recommend you get .com .net .org .biz and .info for brand protection purposes. .mobi and .tel are probably a waste of time. I would only recommend you register ccTLD's for the country you plan to launch in and/or the country you are based in. If you are a truely global (i.e. web based) type company, then just the first five are probably fine. (disclaimer, I work for a domain registrar)

rythie 17y ago

I registered .com, .co.uk and .net when we started. We got an email today from a hosting company saying someone is trying to register .cc, .asia, .com.cn and 5 others. Someone has already bought .cn.

metastart 17y ago

Go for the cheaper ones...don't go crazy or worry too much though. If you can get .cn for china, that's probably the key one after .net and .org. .info or .mobi are mostly irrelevant.