Learning from History to Estimate new TLD Volume

Learning from History to Estimate new TLD Volume

If you are a prospective new top-level domain (TLD) applicant, one of the most important questions you must answer is: how many registrations will my TLD have? This will be an essential element of your submission to ICANN, and if profit or even economic sustainability is your goal, getting the volume right is critical.

New Top Level Domain application tip: learning from history to estimate your new Top Level Domain Names volume

Are you a new TLD applicant? One of the most important questions you need to think about is how much volume will your new TLD generate?

Many new TLD launches have already happened
first 7 TLDs in 2000.
at the time the total market there were 50m reg
by 2010 there were 190m regs
this was not due to new TLD launces
c/n/o gained the most, then ccTLDs then nTLDs
the total market share of all new TLD has never exceeded 7%

.info has generated about 6mm regs since launch
other nTLD are considered success

what should you plan on?
1- history, Afilias has launched more nTLDs than any other provider
2- The info, mobi, asia, me launches each generated between 50,000 and 300,000 new registrations during the 1st year.
3- in following years they went on to generate between 30,000 and 75,000 per year

consider pricing
the market is very competitive
most gTLDs sell for less than $10 at the wholesale level

leverage launch revenue
the premium name auctions can generate significant revenue early on and help put your nTLD on solid financial footing

Address Channel needs
when launching a nTLD the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to gain access is to choose a TLD registry services provider who is already connected to registrars.
It is too difficult to start from scratch

As an ICANN new TLD applicant you should focus on what make your TLD unique and valuable in the marketplace not on the technical registry services, dns and registrar connections.
work with Afilias, the new TLD expert