Premium Domains at reg fee for .Pub — Rightside releases

Thousands of domains that would normally carry a premium are being offered at registration fee.

Rightside, backer of an increasingly sizable pool of fresh TLDs, is trying something different with its upcoming launch of .Pub.

The firm’s previous fresh TLD launches have included reserved domains (called Platinum) and premium domains. The premium domains were sold through registrars but at higher prices that most domains.

For .Pub, which just entered landrush, Rightside is scrapping the main premium tier. The thousands of domains it would usually charge more for are available at the normal registration fee. The firm is only holding back regarding 400 domains for sale at higher prices (plus names on the collision list, of course).

I’ve looked through lists of domains that will be available at registration fee and many of them are attractive. Lots of geo domains are available along with common names of pubs.

I think this is a smart move. There’s a lot of supply coming onto the domain market. Asking buyers to pay more for these domains means fewer registrations. Rightside can still capture some upside during the more expensive landrush, and perhaps give .pub some momentum…especially ahead of .bar launches.