by David Underhill aka BareFootTech.
Deciding on a Domain Name for your planned or existing website can often be a harrowing and expensive proposition. Often the only gTLD or domain extension considered is a .com. There are several compelling reasons why a .info can be a better or equally valid choice.
Current Market value
Because of various promotions last year, and occasional specials, .info’s value is now deemed to be less than some other gTLDS.This doesn’t mean they are worthless. If the retail price was the same as other gTLDs would people still buy it? Yes of course , retail prices for .info’s at most Domain Name Registration sites are the same prices than .com domainsSuitability
.Info means information ,and is what most of the internet is all about. Imparting information about products and services a company is selling.
Information about your family ,business,neighbourhood, diseases or whatever else. Isn’t that exactly why you have a website ? www.minisite.info is a more descriptive url for minisite information than www.barefoottech.net/minisite/index.htmlAvailability
Because of the mindset of some people , “Free” or “Cheap” means “Valueless” , therefore they don’t use the gTLD .info for their web-sites. Other people have the flawed idea that .info can’t be a “Real” tld so they don’t get them for investment purposes. Therefore good keyword and search friendly names are often still available at the above “Bargain Prices” and are very suitable for use.
Even more suitable than choosing a less than search friendly name just because it is available as a .COM. Acceptability
Most users of the internet, i.e. the average websurfer, will use .info sites. You remember them, the ones the websites is being created for, utilise search engines and media listings to find a Website URL’s. They than use the relevant URL regardless of the .gTLD. Major websites, including several government agencies use .info for their advertised URL’s.
(e.g. NSW Countrylink Rail )
ConclusionsYes .Info are worth something.Value for money often (not always,but neither is all .com’s)Good names in .info can be worth a lot more than a lousy .comEveryone should investigate all gTLD’s and get rid of their ill informed prejudices.info is not the “Devils TLD” which is the attitude of some peopleThink not “cheap” ,think instead “Incredibly Great Value”
