.Info

Is this 4-character domain worth the suffix?

[inuwolf]

I have a noncommercial, information-based site with a clean, minimalist look and feel. It centers around a database, meant to serve as an (or someday the?) authority in its niche. This is my dilemma:

Ideally the domain name would be __db.com. Unfortunately all the top-level domains are taken, though not in use. Should I take __db.info, the domain still available, or should I pursue a new name altogether? Should I hyphenate __-db and get the .com domain, or are hyphens also a big no-no?

I've kept in mind my site is data-oriented so .info would not be inappropriate, but I'm wondering if .info sites are ever taken seriously.

[angelos]

Hi,

I think that in this particular case that might be a good option. The domain you consider to choose appears relevant and good - looking in contrast to any experimenting with hyphens (which I personally dislike) or long names, etc.

Good luck,

[gpmgroup]

datacompression.info is worth checking out, I think it was sold to a traffic firm so development has ceased but it still gets around 30 - 40,000 vistors a month.

There are getting to be some nice .info's

www.alberteinstein.info
www.researchinformation.info

www.peru.info
www.spain.info
www.southafrica.info
www.germany.info

Governments deparments like them too
www.ukresilience.info

[Luddite]

IMHO the average surfer equates "website" with "com". org and net are in the back of their minds somewhere as a "different type of website" and info just isn't anywhere at all.

Don't let this stop you from developing an info though. I really believe that long-term, info will be a very viable TLD, second only to com. It's just a matter of developing public awareness of info as a valid TLD.

[Eltiti]

If it's the traffic you worry about, I can tell you that a .info of mine is currently getting close to one million PV per month. --I actually own the .com as well, but since it's a heavily information-oriented site, I thought the .info was more appropriate! :-)

<added>The site is in a language other than English.</added>

[Lobo]

I think in many ways it does not matter.. if it's searched and comes up with the relevent info, I don't suppose anyone cares..

I suspect there would be few type in though..

[cyberair]

I would go ahead with the non hyphenated form of .info, because as it has been pointed out by others, .info recognition will increase. Furthermore, if your site is purely informational, then it is logical to use that TLD.

A few weeks ago I saw a TV ad for Peru.info, so it is little by little entering mainstream.

[Pedent]

Hyphens aren't good. Sounds like the .info will be best.

[inuwolf]

thanks guys. i've purchased the .info domain :). and lobo, thanks for the reality check. it actually never really occurred to me at least 90% of my expected traffic should come from search, in which case the domain suffix really doesn't matter.

sounds like .info is the best here.

[dtobias]

Good choice... since you say it's a noncommercial, informational site, a .com domain would clearly not make logical sense anyway.