GoDaddy SVP explains why fresh TLDs are struggling
Head of domains at largest domain name registrar states fresh TLD registries are failing modest business owners.
Why are fresh top level domain names struggling to grow their registration bases?
GoDaddy Senior Vice President of Domains Mike McLaughlin told a sizable audience at NamesCon today that registries are making it difficult for modest businesses to buy their domain names. Registries need to focus on accessibility and usability if they want to see their domains succeed, he stated. They need to put themselves in the shoes of a modest business owner.
McLaughlin stated that registries are missing the mark with:
- High price points
- Held back inventory
- Restrictions on usage
- Confusing pricing models
- Complex registrar implementations
- User experiences from non-standard to wacky
The reason many namespaces are modest, McLaughlin sad, is not since they’re addressing modest markets. Rather, it’s since they’re failing users on accessibility and usability. Those fresh TLDs that focus on this will be the ones successful five years from now.
McLaughlin stated registries such as Verisign and Neustar have done a good job with these, and that’s part of the reason they have sizable registration bases.
For now, McLaughlin stated the release of fresh TLDs hasn’t had a material impact on the preference for .com. If the .com is still available, there’s much greater conversion. Still, other legacy TLDs are being affected by fresh TLDs.
McLaughlin will be the guest on the Reglike Podcast January 19.
