Want To Own A Custom Top Level Domain? Bring Your Wallet, Your Checkbook, and a Credit Card!

On June 26, 2008, ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, made an announcement which could change the face of the internet. They revealed that would-be domain purchases would now have additional options when it came to selecting domains; they would be able to purchase custom top level domains.

What are Top Level Domains?

A top level domain, or TLD, is the last part of any internet domain name. For example, in the domain name www.velvetblues.com, the top level domain is com.

For some time now, we have been limited to about 20 domain endings, such as com, net, or org. And as time passes, it has become more and more difficult to find quality domain names, mostly due to the hoarding of domains by domain squatters. As a result, when rumors of this change first circulated, many webmaster and developers were looking forward to having many more purchase options. However, before you get too excited, these domains are probably out of your budget.

How Much Do They Cost?

If you thought that the $10-$30 yearly fee for standard domains was expensive, well you’ll really need to break the bank to scoop up one of these. To purchase a custom TLD, you will need to pay at least $100,000. Expensive? Indeed.

Apparently, these are the costs required to register and maintain the servers for the custom ending.

Stay Tuned for 2009

The first unique TLD’s will be officially added in the beginning of 2009. And only then will be really know how much of an impact this will have on the internet.

Most likely, you and other individuals and small businesses will not be greatly affected. But large corporations and wealthy investors who have available resources are likely to be the main consumers for these custom TLD’s. However, I think the .com is still here for the long haul. It is the most popular domain ending today and is likely to stay that way for quite some time.