Domain names may also help replace phone numbers as lead generation (this has started in print/TV). Last week I saw a billboard on I-95 advertising a flooring company and one of the slides (electronic sign, 3 frames) was the phone number. Since I was driving there was little chance I would actually have time to remember the number, so I thought, what if this was a domain name instead? Life would be so much easier.
In the future, as televisions allow web access, a request on your TV for a web address may not pull the web site, but rather it could pull the content your site broadcasts. If you were to type in Conceptualist.com for example, you may not see this blog as you see it in your browser, but instead you might see a produced show.
If the domain name system were to be integrated with radio, the same thing could happen. Access “conceptualist.com”? and listen to a podcast or a live show.
The common theme; domain names are much bigger then simply accessing a web site. They currently help you with your email, your web site(s), authenticity, and in the future, they are likely to help you in many ways not yet even imagined.
Why is this important? Because the more possibilities the future holds for domain names, the more your domain names will be worth, whether you know it or not.
Edit: Reader Neal R. Voron wrote this excellent comment to this post:
I think we are going to see more domain names used in book titles or even as publishing imprints for a series of books. Domain names as a part of titles can instantly add a sense of credibility to non-fiction works, and including a domain name can help strengthen the web site’s branding while also helping to integrate - and synergize -online/offline marketing efforts.
Great example of how to use domains.
Sahar…this will be especially true when ALL/MOST peeps are carrying mobile internet devices…several times per day I see urls that I’d enter in asap if I was carrying mobile net.
Great post…..
You are absolutely right - I wish I’d thought of that!
Very soon the nature of websites will need to change. Static text is already supplemented by video and audio content. I’m sure we are at the stage where internet technology can identify what type of device is accessing a site and deliver the content in an appropriate format.
Only a small jump in terms of technology but an idea that has enourmous business potential - if you have the right domain name, of course.
Exciting times!
I think we are going to see more domain names used in book titles or even as publishing imprints for a series of books. Domain names as a part of titles can instantly add a sense of credibility to non-fiction works, and including a domain name can help strengthen the web site’s branding while also helping to integrate — and synergize –online/offline marketing efforts.
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That’s a good observation. We’ve seen this happening with number of books, including the recent sex.com book.
Sahar check these out domainplates.com
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Funny but after publishing this post that was the first domain I typed in
Dear Sahar:
Domains on license plates are a great idea for domain name marketing! Your Assista.com plate looks cool and its now FREE advertising! Every billboard, every TV ad, radio ad, newspaper ad, etc, should always highlight a domain name. Trucks, vans & cars that have ads painted on their vehicles always have tel. #s that as you said are not always easy to remember or write down; however, it makes so much sense to have a memorable domain name. I was amazed last year watching the Super Bowl ads that there were a bunch of ads that didnt even use a url in an ad that costs $2m ad.
All the best,
Steve
http://InsideDomaining.com
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The battle between memorable (generics) and brand-able names has been going on for a long time. This isn’t a domain issue but branding issue. For some projects I rather have generics and for others I rather have brand-able. I myself am undecided which is best. I think at the end of the day, it really depends on your objectives and circumstances.
“The battle between memorable (generics) and brand-able names has been going on for a long time […] I think at the end of the day, it really depends on your objectives and circumstances”
I think, in this case anyway, that generics vs brandable doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s something that sticks in your mind after only getting a fleeting glimpse.
I can remember, say, cheaptires.com (generic) as I’m sure anyone else would after drving past it on a billboard.
But I think it’s safe to say you’ll remember wheelzdealz.com (branded) or something along those lines if presented properly, like set in a clean font at a huge size, with the “z”s emphasized as a different color or something to make it “stick”.
On the flip side, who’s going to remember cheap-discount-tires-online.info?
Sahar, you think ahead, no doubt about it. I suspect that’s the key to your success.
“I think we are going to see more domain names used in book titles or even as publishing imprints for a series of books. Domain names as a part of titles can instantly add a sense of credibility to non-fiction works…”
Hmmm…. so, for example, a series of biographies under the “Biography.com” label? I guess I can see that. The Biography.com website might offer extra features, like the extras on a DVD, along with purchase links for all the books in the series. But of course, Amazon does that already.
Hi Sahar:
Since 1999 we’ve been buying vanity license plates on our cars to promote some of our domains such as RATE COM and COST COM.
Hope all is well and see you at TRAFFIC.
Best,
David
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Hi David,
Again, many many years ahead of the curve
Say Hi to your brother and the ladies from me.. see you guys soon!
Cheers
Sahar