Any thoughts on this?
I have had .org sites in the past and they've done great.
The only thing which is against .org is that it can't be used for ecommerce or business.
Actually, there are no prohibitions on .org that prevent you from using it for an ecommerce or business website.
4. Can I register a .ORG domain name?
[pir.org...]
Yes. .ORG always has been -- and will continue to be -- an open and unrestricted domain. Anyone is allowed to register and use .ORG domain names.
Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs)
[iana.org...]
Root-Zone Whois Information for .org - Top-Level Domain
[iana.org...]
Public Interest Registry
[pir.org...]
.ORG is the Internet home of noncommercial organizations, including nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, philanthropies, charities, religious organizations, educational and cultural institutions, arts organizations, sports clubs, and others, who create .ORG Web sites and e-mail addresses.
The only thing which is against .org is that it can't be used for ecommerce or business.
To clarify - it can theoretically be used for everything. But using it for ecommerce or business would be very foolish.
The only thing which is against .org is that it can't be used for ecommerce or business.
That hasn't been true for some time. There are no restrictions any more on use of .org.
I like to stay in the spirit of the intended use, though, and hope that others will do the same.
I think there's a certain "credibility" to .org that other TLDs are lacking. In some contexts, an .org is more prestigious than a .com. If you listen to public radio, you'll hear a lot of these. ;)
Sorry, I forget the details, but I've seen a couple of branding efforts lately by non-profits that the public generally perceives as commercial entities (mutual insurance companies?) where they are using the .org to drive home the point. I think I've seen at least one full-page ad like this in The Economist lately.
(Ah.... I should have read the links above... there it is right near the top on the PIR website - financial services giant TIAA-CREF. That's the ad I saw.)
Classic Example: "Industry Organization" - Promotes industry.
Would I run an e-com site on a .Org? No.
Would I embed a bit of e-com on a .Org? Sure. There's many examples that come to mind. A museum that has a "museum shop" would be one.
If every .Org that I'm (slowly) working on developing was, instead, a .Com the domaining industry would likely have no problem saying "You know, Webwork has a portfolio probably worth $$,$$$,$$$." Why? Well, because of 2 .Com be-all-and-end-all assumptions: Greater type-in traffic numbers and "you can (only, really, only really) do commerce on a .Com".
Both largely true, but end of story? Ask Craig Newmark.
My take on .Org is that it's about a certain spirit. "Do good" is a thought that quickly comes to mind. Doing going isn't doing without a funding source. In fact, ask anyone in the "doing good business" and they will likely tell you that it often takes money (money, the assets money can buy, etc.) to do good.
Still, if you want to rock the ecom world, you can do it on a .Org domain. Just don't be someone who is greatly upset by traffic that bleeds to the .Com version of your domain. Just go with it. If people cannot distinguish your rockin' .Org website from the parked or "other" .Com website something is broken somewhere.
[edited by: Webwork at 6:41 pm (utc) on Sep. 22, 2007]
But using it for ecommerce or business would be very foolish.
As my three year old often asks Whyyyyyyy? :) Actually there are probably some situations where it may be less than optimal. Webwork lists a great reason, which is some mistaken type ins to the dot com. Another reason I would not to go with the dot org is, and some might disagree, is if you don't own the .com but you're regging the domain for a snappy brand name and not for keyword relevance.
Reasons to go for a dot org
P1R has pretty much explained why it's ok because it doesn't violate any laws or regulations.
I'm a fan of dot org domains, especially if you position it as a consumer resource.
[edited by: martinibuster at 7:40 pm (utc) on Sep. 22, 2007]
To clarify - it can theoretically be used for everything. But using it for ecommerce or business would be very foolish.
Why do you think it would be foolish, especially assuming the com is already taken (very likely)? Actually, the opposite of foolish can easily be true with many domains because .org tends to denote a feeling of trust, reliability and business ethics to the public.
It's a real nice benefit to have an often rare feeling of trust (even minor in its overall impact) when offering a product, service or just running ads (though of course com is still king by far). Plus dot-org is believed to be 2nd best for type-in traffic next to dot-com, largely due to all the media coverage org tends to get. In fact, some of my most valuable domains and developed websites are org's, including a lot of financial keyword minisites. Org is especially good with medical related sites and other categories such as government, educational, informational, clubs, knowledge, public interest and more.
Most people think they are only for organizations / non-profits. As a result it is easier to get trust, as well as links. I agree though that I wouldn't put a pure ecommerce site on a .org
