Should the change to a .com or is a .org allowed
to make a profit?
When I registered my domain name back in '95 the definition of .org suggested non-profit, while .com suggested profit making or commercial.
I don't think those parameters have changed much.
If nothing else, your question should be posed to a Certified Public Accountant or equivalent.
Pendanticist.
More importantly though, I believe that the general impression is that .org domains are the dominion of not-for-profit organisations, while .com is for money-making sites. Not a definitive rule of thumb, but I reckon that that is what most people would think.
As for changing the name, that depends. Is the .com available? How much traffic are they getting to the .org? The best solution would be to get the .com and run the two parallel, or just redirect to the .com address.
Fashezee,
If the .com equivalent of your current domain is available, you might want to purchase it. Many companies own all the TLDs for their company or product name. You can offer the online shopping experience on your .org and when clicked just switch over to your .com domain.
I don't believe there are any laws prohibiting you, but wouldn't you want to own the .com anyway?
Do users feel more comfortable when dealing with a domain name: .org?
Do users feel more comfortable when dealing with a domain name: .org?
Personally, I would have absolutely no problem with it, but then (unless your site is targetted this way) the people on this board are generally not what we would label as "normal, Josephine Soap users" - before people take offence, I mean that we would be classed as power users! :)
Do users feel more comfortable when dealing with a domain name: .org?
Taken within the context of this thread: No.
I get the feeling you're looking for justification about using .org with the expectation of a profit making venture. Something I'd strongly advise against, if for no other reason than the historical distinctions layed down with respect to .com and .org. They are held differently for a reason.
Let me put it this way, if you think competitors are vicious regarding spamming, invisible links and some of the other illicit tactics we've all read about in here: What kind of retaliatory actions do you suppose they might take when they figure out you're running a profit making site under the guise of a .org? Do you want to take that chance?
I think you see where I'm heading here. Do the terms 'fraud' and the name IRS ring a bell? Assuming you fall under United States law that is.
Then again, I'm not aware of anyone 'challenging' those accepted norms either.
All I'm saying is .org has different connotations that does .com.
Pendanticist.
but still I would NOT advise it for a commercial site, gives the wrong impression and attracts the wrong type of visitors.
Shak
Or worse. They may feel you've deceived them!
That may or may not change with the current change of management of .ORG from Verisign to the Internet society.
Richard Lowe
I have a very hard time believing this would be in any way fraud.
Ok.
Pendanticist.
