Emma Okonji

In order to populate the dot ng (.ng) domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the organization responsible for managing the country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) of Nigeria, the .ng, a has reduced the cost of dot ng domain names by 40%.

NiRA Chairman, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, who made the disclosure in Lagos, told THISDAY that the decision to reduce the cost of .ng domain names was taken by the NiRA board after reviewing the growth trajectory of .ng domain names across the country over the past two years.

He said the board’s decision to reduce the cost of .ng domain names had been communicated to NIRA’s accredited registrars, which are responsible for registering, renewing and restoring .ng domain names. .ng domain names.

Rudman said the decision to drastically reduce the cost of .ng domain names became necessary, due to NiRA’s 3R (Registry, Registrar, and Registrant) model, which means it does not sell domains to the general public. public; instead, all registrations go through its registrars.

According to Rudman, after reviewing the registration and use of .ng domain names over the past two years, the NiRA board decided to reduce the cost of .ng domain names so that they are more affordable for Nigerians.

The latest NiRA statistics on .ng domain name registration, renewal and restoration, released in February, revealed a drop in domain name registrations and renewals, with the numbers dropping to 178 from 184,341 in November 2021. 097 in January 2022.

According to Rudman, “To address the issue, NiRA decided to conduct a downward revision of domain name prices on .ng domains and a marginal 40% discount on .com.ng and other domains. We made it public after announcing it at the registrar forum.The goal is to increase the number of domain names registered in the country by encouraging more people to register.

He added, “Previously, registrars were categorized into Platinum, Gold, Silver and Standard, with each category receiving domains at different prices. However, NiRA recently removed this categorization to create a level playing field for all registrars and to remove all barriers for new registrars. We hope that the reduced pricing and removal of registrar categorization will drive adoption of the domain and make it easy for other organizations looking to become NiRA registrars to do so.

Addressing the drop in enrollment numbers from November 2021 to January 2022, Rudman explained that enrollment actually increased from 2019 to 2020, but there was a drop in 2021 and 2022 due to the effect of the COVID-19.

“In 2020, we saw an increase in the number of registrations for country code top-level domain names (ccTLDs), but in 2021, the number of registrations dropped due to the effect of the pandemic of COVID-19,” he says. The problem is that everyone who registered in 2020 could not use the domain name that same year due to the pandemic, and therefore they did not renew their registration in 2021, and the new registration for ccTLDs was also suspended in 2021,” Rudman said.

By Chinenye Anuforo, [email protected]

the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the organization in charge of managing Nigeria’s national top level domain (ccTLD), the .ng, has decided to reduce the cost of dot ng (.ng) domain names by 40 % in order to populate the dot ng domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace.

Mr. Muhammed Rudman, Chairman of NiRA, made the announcement in Lagos, saying that the decision to reduce the cost of .ng domain names was taken by the NiRA Board after reviewing the growth trajectory of the names .ng domain names across the country over the past two years.

He said the board’s decision to reduce the cost of .ng domain names had been communicated to NIRA’s accredited registrars, which are responsible for registering, renewing and restoring .ng domain names. .ng domain names. This is due to NiRA’s 3R (Registry, Registrar, and Registrant) model, which means it does not sell domains to the general public; instead, all registrations go through its registrars.

According to Rudman, after reviewing the registration and use of .ng domain names over the past two years, the NiRA board decided to reduce the cost of .ng domain names so that they are more affordable for Nigerians.

The latest NiRA statistics on .ng domain name registration, renewal and restoration, released in February, revealed a drop in domain name registrations and renewals, with the numbers dropping to 178 from 184,341 in November 2021. 097 in January 2022.

According to Rudman, “to address the issue, NiRA decided to implement a 40% downward revision of domain name prices on .ng domains and a marginal reduction on .com.ng and other domains.” We made it public after announcing it at the Registrar Forum. The aim is to increase the number of domain names registered in the country by encouraging more people to register.

Previously, registrars were categorized into Platinum, Gold, Silver and Standard, with each category receiving domains at different prices, according to Rudman. However, the NiRA recently removed this categorization to create a level playing field for all registrars and to remove all barriers for new registrars. “We hope that the reduced pricing and removal of registrar categorization will drive adoption of the domain and make it easy for other organizations looking to become a NiRA registrar to do so,” he said.

Rudman explained the drop in enrollment numbers from November 2021 to January 2022 by stating that enrollment actually increased from 2019 to 2020, but there was a drop in 2021 and 2022 due to the effect of COVID-19.

“In 2020, we saw an increase in the number of registrations for country code top-level domain names (ccTLDs), but in 2021, the number of registrations dropped due to the effect of the pandemic of COVID-19,” he says. The problem is that everyone who registered in 2020 could not use the domain name that same year due to the pandemic, and therefore they did not renew their registration in 2021, and the new registration for ccTLDs was also suspended in 2021.”

According to Rudman, the drop in domain name registration in 2021 was not unique to the Nigerian market, but was a global issue that affected other ccTLDs, possibly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. .

Emma Okonji
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has applauded the Federal Executive Council (FEC), following the endorsement of the Nigerian Government’s National Policy on Second Level Domains at one of its recent FEC meetings.
The approval was granted by the FEC following a presentation by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The policy was developed to build public confidence in the use of digital technologies and participation in the digital economy.

The blueprint has a vision to create a world-class open and digitized government that connects with people to improve the efficiency of public administration, the responsiveness of public services and the transparency of governance leading to the improvement of the quality of life of Nigerians.

Responding to the development, NiRA Chairman Mr. Muhammed Rudman described Pantami as a “digital economy crusader” who showed he understood the need to scale up adoption of the code top-level domain. of country of Nigeria (ccTLD), .ng inside and outside the governmental circle.

NIRA, a multi-stakeholder led organization, is the registry for the .ng domain name and manages the database of names registered in the .ng country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) namespace for the benefit of Nigerians and the global Internet community.

Rudman said the need to switch to .ng is no longer negotiable given the important role it plays in the country’s digital economy agenda.

He said the NiRA would support the Minister in his efforts to promote transparency in governance, the protection of Nigerian cyberspace and the promotion of the Digital Nigeria agenda.

According to him, with a good knowledge of the Nigerian domain name, local content would not only be developed but would help save the country the cost of capital flight overly dependent on foreign domain platforms imposed on the economy.

ICANN’s role is to coordinate a working Internet, not to break it.

ICANN responded to Ukraine’s request to essentially kick Russia off the internet. Unsurprisingly, he denied the request.

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian government asked ICANN to target Russia’s access to the Internet by revoking specific country code top-level domains operated from Russia, arranging for the revocation of SSL certificates issued in these domains and closing a subset of root servers located in Russia.

In a letter (pdf) sent yesterday, ICANN President and CEO Göran Marby told Ukraine:

… In our role as technical coordinator of unique identifiers for the Internet, we take steps to ensure that the operation of the Internet is not politicized, and we have no sanctioning authority. Essentially, ICANN was designed to make sure the Internet works, not for its coordinating role to be used to stop it working.

Marby also noted that ICANN does not have the ability to do some of the things Ukraine requested, such as revoking SSL certificates.

ICANN also pointed out that Internet access can actually help spread the information Russians need to receive:

As you stated in your letter, your wish is to help users find reliable information in alternative domain areas and to prevent propaganda and misinformation. It is only through wide and unhindered access to the Internet that citizens can receive reliable information and a diversity of viewpoints. Regardless of the source, ICANN does not control Internet access or content.

One of the most important steps in starting a new website is choosing the right domain name for it. Whether you want to register a brand new domain or are considering buying a domain from someone else, you need to make your choice very carefully and carefully. Changing the name of your website in the future can come with high costs and risks, especially if it is a commercial brand, so it is essential that you start with a domain name that you are sure to use. 100%.

You can find various domain name generator tools online, but the truth is that you will rarely discover a great name available using automated generators. The most creative name generator is your own mind, and by sticking to a few general guidelines, you should be able to come up with a winning name.

Let’s discuss some of the main points to consider when finding the perfect name for your next website project. Here are six general tips to keep in mind.

1. A brand name is more advantageous

It seems that everyone has their own opinion when it comes to choosing between a generic domain name and a brand name. A decade or more ago, there was a strong case for using generic, keyword-rich domain names. Not only were there many valid generic names available for registration at the time, but a generic name was very useful in improving organic search engine rankings for relevant search phrases.

Well, neither of those two points is valid these days. Most of the generic names that have market value have already been taken, and it no longer matters from an SEO perspective whether the domain contains keywords or not. So, for example, a keyword-rich name like “reliablewebhosting” won’t rank higher than a branded name like “DreamHost” just because it contains the right keywords. It is no longer a relevant factor in Google’s ranking algorithm.

When you opt for a brand name, you will have many more choices of short and memorable domains that are still available. Gone are the days of long, keyword-rich domains, and these often look rather amateurish and unprofessional. Most online businesses these days invest in building their own brand, and a unique and customizable domain name can help your site stand out from the crowd.

2. Ignore numbers and dashes

Using numbers and dashes in domain names is another outdated practice that is not recommended for professional sites. Hyphens were commonly added to generic names made up of a few valuable keywords, but as we said above, these names are no longer very popular or desirable.

Dashes and numbers can make your website domain more confusing and harder to remember, which doesn’t really help in creating a successful site. Having a clean domain name that only contains alphabetic characters is the way to go.

3. Shorter is better

This one should be a no-brainer, because who likes remembering and typing out a long name anyway? ! Don’t be tempted to use a longer name just because it contains one or more of the keywords you’re targeting – that probably wouldn’t be a worthwhile compromise.

There is no magic number when it comes to the ideal domain name length, as it can vary from site to site. As a general rule, however, it is advisable to keep it under 12 characters with no more than two words in the name.

4. Extension counts

The domain extension, or more formally the top-level domain (TLD), is the part that comes after the dot, like “com” in amazon.com. There are thousands of extensions to consider, and each may be suitable for certain types of websites.

Generic TLDs, such as .com and .net, are the most widely used in the world and arguably the best choice for commercial websites. The .com TLD is by far the most desirable of all extensions, but that doesn’t mean it should be your only choice. Many new generic TLDs have been released in recent years and some of them are proving to be attractive alternatives to traditional extensions. Here are some examples: .store, .blog, .site, .online, and many more that you can find on any registrar’s website.

That said, the .com extension still has the highest value and recognition, especially for small business sites and those that are primarily commercial in nature. You probably want to explore all possible .com domain names before considering other extensions.

5. Check domain history

One of the biggest mistakes many domain buyers make is not checking the history of the domain first. Chances are, the domain you intend to buy has been used by someone else before and has a history on the internet. Look it up on archive.org and search engines to find out if it has been used in the past and what it was used for. Also check their backlink profile using a few different backlink checker tools.

If the domain has been used for spamming, contained questionable content in the past, and/or has many spammy backlinks pointing to it, you better pass it on. Domains with a history of spam or inappropriate content may have been penalized by search engines and make it much more difficult for your new site to rank in search results. It’s better to start with a domain that has a clean record than having to clean up the mess someone else has made in the past.

6. Make sure it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others

This is another potential mistake that can arise from a hasty decision to buy a new domain or a used domain. Trademark infringement is a very serious issue that can lead to your domain name being suspended and possibly removed. Always search online trademark databases to see if another company or individual is using the exact same name or a similar name that may confuse consumers.

How to buy a domain name safely?

If you plan to register an available domain name, you should choose a reputable registrar with a good reputation for ensuring the security of their customers’ domains. It is also strongly recommended that you opt for a registrar that offers free Whois privacy protection, which will hide your personal details from the public Whois database.

Companies offer different features that come with every domain registration, and in terms of security, Whois privacy service and two-factor authentication are some of the most essential features to look for. A helpful article published on the Daily Sundial website discusses some of the best registrars where you can buy a domain name with Whois privacy for cheap.

And in case you are buying a domain from someone else, it is strongly advised to use a third-party escrow service to keep your money and the domain you are trying to acquire safe.

Carry

Getting the right domain name for your website requires careful thought and research. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the main characteristics of a good domain name, and we’ve also discussed some of the mistakes and things to avoid when looking for a website domain. Keep these tips in mind and do your due diligence before making your final decision.

Jim Grogan’s Story

Related

ExpiredDomains.net isn’t just a resource for determining which domains to buy in the drop.

I started getting a bit interested in .gg domain names a few years ago, and found some good domains to register from an unexpected source: ExpiredDomains.net.

I use ExpiredDomains.net to find expiring domains, but note that the name is expired areas. You can also sift through already expired domains on the service using filters of your choice. While all good .com domains are taken in direct auctions, some good names in less popular extensions pass deletion when you can register them manually.

Here’s how I find available single-word .gg domains that have already expired:

1. Go to the “Deleted Domains” tab at the top of the site

2. Select ccTLD G then .gg

3. Click “Show Filter”, go to the Dictionary Word Domains area, select English and a maximum word.

4. Click the button to apply the filter and you will see a list of recently expired single word .gg domains.

The resulting list shows the domain, the metrics you select for each column, the deletion date, and the registration status. Take a look at the types of domains that have already been re-registered to see what’s popular. For example, when I ran this search, products.gg, drum.gg, and luminary.gg were re-registered. Snakes.gg, phobia.gg and firefight.gg were still available. (You can also see the domains that were taken from the drop by clicking the “Caught Domains” button and selecting the TLD of your choice.)

I used this method to register fraternity.gg and hideout.gg, which I then sold. .Gg is getting more competitive, so it’s harder (but still possible) to find decent expired domains. But you can use this tool to find expired domains in just about any top-level domain.

Unless you’re a company with a new product or a patent attorney, you’re probably not thinking about trademarks. Most of us see them every day on the Internet, in stores, or even at home – they are just part of doing business in the United States. In fact, brands are rather curious beasts, especially when it comes to websites and URLs.

I learned a lot about the intricacies of website URL trademarking from one of MFM’s contributing legal eagles, Ronnie Raju, a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer in Washington. In his “Dear Expert” column in the January/February issue of The financial director, posting for MFM members, Raju discusses how a June 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling may have been a huge game-changer for media companies considering registering their domain names for the purpose of gain an advantage over their competitors.

I also did some research on my own and found that the decision might have bigger implications. Booking.com, the online travel company that is doing so well that it ran its first-ever Super Bowl ad this year, was at the center of the Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision.

But let’s start with the premise of Raju’s column: the question posed to him as an expert comes from a fictional radio station asking if changing the laws could allow the owner to trademark the term “FMradiostation.com” . This action is equivalent to trademarking the combination of a generic term (in this case “FMradiostation”) with a top-level domain (“.com”) to make it a unique URL. While at first glance it seems that this request would not stand a chance, the Supreme Court said otherwise.

In its simplest terms, the Supreme Court decision stated that generic names can be registered by a business as a URL if that URL is recognizable to consumers as being associated with a certain business. But, Raju warns, the burden of proof will be on the company trying to register the name.

For context, Raju explains that in general, generic terms are generally not allowed to be trademarked and are not eligible for federal registration because receiving a trademark makes that generic name unavailable to competitors. She takes the example of a company seeking to trademark the generic name “television station” for broadcast services, because other television broadcasters would not be allowed to use that name to describe or promote their own services.

the Booking.com the case overturned that premise. When Booking.com first filed a trademark application in 2012, the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) refused to register Booking.com, finding the term “booking” to be generic for hotel booking services. online hotel, and simply adding the top-level “.com” domain would not take the brand out of generic territory.

The Supreme Court had to decide whether a generic term combined with a “.com” domain name would result in a combined generic term because consumers associate the name with a specific business. Along with evidence submitted in an earlier state-level appeal, including a survey indicating that 74.8% of consumers recognized “Booking.com” as a brand rather than a generic serviceBooking.com successfully argued that since it had been in business (with the same URL) since 1996 and ranked first for consumer satisfaction among travel sites by JD Power, it had established the generic name “reservation” as one that makes sense to consumers.

“Because ‘Booking.com’ is not a generic name for consumers, it is not generic,” Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote. The Supreme Court noted that the past practice of PTO did not follow its own rules, pointing to the registration of Art.com on the main register of online retail services offering fine art prints, and the registration of Encounters.com on the additional register of dating services.

If you’re a media company considering following Booking.com’s steps, Raju has some well-measured advice – and much of it revolves around conducting a brand survey. The purpose of a trademark survey is to provide evidence that the URL you are considering filing has acquired distinctiveness – in the form of consumer surveys, consumer statements, advertising spend and “evidence that shows the duration, extent and nature of the applicant’s use of the proposed mark, including whether the use is exclusive,” she explains.

Raju warns that trademark investigations can be an expensive proposition, often costing upwards of $35,000, with some experts questioning whether they are necessary or even often considered by decision makers. Consumer brand surveys, submitted as part of the overall brand survey, can be an even stickier one-stop shop and should be created and executed in a way that demonstrates that they are a reliable representation of how consumers perceive your proposed brand.

If you choose to go ahead with a trademark investigation, Raju offers some very tactical advice which she says reflects all trademark enforcement rules, and I have taken the liberty of providing it directly to from its column:

• Make sure the generic +TLD mark stands out against the rest of the text by using a different font or unique styling.
• Always use the generic + TLD as an adjective, never as a noun or verb.
• Use a TM next to the generic + TLD to let consumers know you consider it a brand.
• Keep good records of advertising spend and estimates of the number of consumers exposed to advertising and your social media campaigns.
• Consider conducting a trademark survey to support any generic brand + TLD trademark registration application.

Some questions come to mind when I reflect on the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision Booking.com decision. I think the ruling says that the Supreme Court certainly understands that many websites have a particular brand that is meaningful to consumers, and that the Internet, combined with advertising, will continue to wield an increasing level of influence higher on consumers.

But how will the PTO handle current and future trademark requests? Will it examine potential conflicts between existing domain names? And does this change in law ultimately make securing domain name trademarks easier or more difficult?

Speaking of tough questions, a myriad of issues and questions facing media finance professionals in their work are the cornerstone of MFM’s upcoming annual Media Finance Focus conference, which will be held in person for the first time. since 2019 from May 23-25 ​​in Tampa, Florida. The “Blue Skies Ahead” theme signals dozens of informative sessions, distinguished speakers, interactive industry roundtables, networking events and a showroom showcasing the latest industry products and services. I am delighted to meet and interact with those who keep the wheels of media funding turning.

Joe Annotti is President and CEO of Media Financial Management Association and his BCCA subsidiary, the media industry credit association. He can be reached at [email protected] and through the association LinkedIn, Facebook, instagram and Twitter accounts.

Emma Okonji

Nigeria has seen a decline in domain name registration and renewal over the past three months, with the number of registrations dropping from 184,341 in November 2021 to 178,097 in January 2022, according to the latest statistics released by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), the body responsible for hosting and domesticating the domain name in Nigeria revealed.

According to statistics obtained from the official website of NIRA, although there has been a slight growth in the total number of domain name registrations, renewals and restorations from 2019 to 2022, the figures have increased from 184,341 in November 2021 to 178,097 in January 2022.

According to statistics, Nigeria registered a total of 146,352 domain name registrations, renewals and restorations in November 2019, and in November 2020, the figure rose to 172,712, while in November 2021, the figure increased again to 184,341. In December 2019, the total number of registrations, renewals and restorations was 147,461, and in December 2020, the figure increased to 175,071, while in December 2021, the figure rose to 181,532.

In January 2020, Nigeria recorded a total of 150,111 domain name registrations, renewals and restorations, but in January 2021 this figure increased to 178,230 and dropped slightly to 178,079 in January 2022.

Data analysis revealed that there was a slight increase in the number of registrations, renewals and restorations for the dot ng domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, from 2019 to 2021 .

THISDAY however discovered a drop in registrations, renewals and restorations in the last three months, from November 2021 to January 2022, where the numbers fell from 184,341 in November 2021 to 182,532 in December 2021 and a further drop to 178,079 in January 2022.

Giving the reasons for the drop in numbers in the last three months from November 2021 to January 2022, NiRA Chairman Mr. Mohammed Rudman told THISDAY that registrations actually increased from 2019 to 2020, but has explained that there was a drop in 2021 and 2022 due to the effect of COVID-19.

According to him, “In 2020, we saw an increase in the number of registrations for country code top-level domain names (ccTLDs) but in 2021, the number of registrations dropped due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem is that everyone who registered in 2020 could not use the domain name during this same year 2020 because of the pandemic and, as such, they do not did not renew their registration in 2021 and new registrations also dropped in 2021 for ccTLDs.

Rudman however said that the drop in domain name registration in 2021 was not unique to the Nigerian market as it was a global issue caused by the effect of COVID-19. Many ccTLD domain name registrations dropped in 2021 globally, the only increase in domain name registration was in the domain of second level domain names like dot gov, dot ng and dot com.

“So for Nigeria, the reason for the decline in domain name registration was due to the effect of COVID-19, coupled with the difficult economic situation affecting individuals and organizations in the country,” said Rudman said.

When asked if the federal government’s policy on the use of digital technologies, which aims to domesticate the dot ng domain name among government agencies, will help increase domain name registration and renewal in the country, Rudman said, “Government policy domesticating the dot ng domain name through parastatals, has helped increase domain name adoption by 80% within government circles. What the government is trying to do with this policy is to domesticate the use of domain names in government parastatals, as most government officials use private email addresses like Yahoo, while dropping the official email addresses that have a dot ng.

So I think the government’s decision is a good step in the right direction, because if the government paves the way for the domestication of the dot ng domain name, then the general public will follow. It is therefore a welcome development as it will help increase the domestication of the dot ng domain name in Nigeria,” Rudman added.

One of the many reasons the internet is so powerful is that it gives almost everyone the ability to share their voice and knowledge with the rest of the world. A particularly popular way to promote yourself is to create a website. You get full control over the platform, unlike social media.

Many services such as WordPress or Blogger these days offer websites on commercial domains, but in many cases it makes more sense to have your website on your own domain, a personal place on the internet where you are totally in control of what happens. released and what it looks like. Here’s how to register your own domain name.

When setting up your personal domain name, there are many options and providers to choose from. You can look around to see what works best for you and your needs, or check out our suggestions below, but the following steps outline the essentials of what you need to do.

How to register your own domain name

1. Verify that the desired name is available. You can start your search with a name registrar such as GoDaddy. Get creative, because your domain will be the focus of your entire site.

If you’re looking to reserve a domain name, start with a domain name registrar like GoDaddy.

pc world

2. If the name is available, you will have the choice of registering the domain on several different top-level domains, if available, such as .com, .org, .biz and .net. If the name is not available, just try again. Hundreds of millions of domains are already registered, so this step can be difficult. Do not abandon !

3. After selecting the top-level domains you want to register with, you will then need to choose how long you want to reserve the name for. You can buy domain names in one-year increments, up to a maximum of 10 years.

You may be able to save some money by choosing a slightly different domain name.

pc world

4. When you’ve finalized the name, the top-level domains it should be on, and how long you want to hold the rights to the name, you need to pay the registrar to do the registration for you. Once you pay, you own the domain name.

Now that your domain is registered, all you have to do is specify where computers looking for your domain should go (namely, the IP address where your domain’s website is hosted) by updating the servers names of your site. If you don’t have a place to host your website or information, most registrars offer hosting as an available option during the registration process. Taking this option is the easiest path, as you don’t have to worry about any additional configuration.

Best Domain Registrar

While GoDaddy will always be a well-known option, due to the company’s consistent sale prices for early registrations, other domain registrars offer better prices or low-cost or no-cost add-ons (like certificates). SSL). And they better not try to push extra services that you don’t need to pay for. We’ve listed our current top picks below.

Namecheap

Namecheap

Namecheap is as popular as GoDaddy, but offers slightly better prices for domain registrations. It also offers a wider assortment of paid add-ons, such as SSL certificates, with much more reasonable pricing.

Float

Float

Hover’s almost dizzying assortment of top-level domains should satisfy almost anyone looking for a unique domain extension. You could pay exorbitantly to get your heart’s desire (.because, for example, costs $2,499 a year and has been for years), but at least you can have it. Overall, the prices are fair, with clearly stated costs for first-time sign-ups, renewals, and transfers.

Google domains

google

Google makes registering a domain a surprisingly pleasant experience. Not only does the company offer reasonable prices and a fair selection of domain extensions, but it does so without pushing additional features and services. You also get a simple interface, although some may find it a bit too simple.

Pork bread

Pork bread

Whether you want a traditional .com, .net, or .org address or something more modern like .ninja, you can get it for a great price through Porkbun. The registrar has some of the best prices on the market, especially because it has low registration fees and does not charge extra for an SSL certificate. It also has a fairly large selection of domain extensions, though not as extensive as Hover’s list.

Registrar buys handshake market leader and records rapid growth over the past year.

Namecheap makes acquisition related to blockchain-based domains and saw strong growth in 2021.

the acquisition of Namebase strengthens the company’s position with Handshake, one of the competing blockchain-based domain name alternatives. Namebase is the main marketplace and onramp for Handshake domains.

With Handshake, anyone can register a top-level domain and then sell second-level domains under it to other parties. For example, Namecheap offers Handshake second-level domains in extensions such as .saas, .p, and .creator. Currently, Namecheap is the “owner” of each Handshake top-level domain it offers to the registrar.

These domains can be used for crypto wallet addresses, Web3 identities, and technically web presence, like websites. However, none of the most popular browsers currently resolve blockchain-based domains without using a plugin. Opera, which has around 1-2% market share, is enabling native access to Handshake domains this year.

Separately, Namecheap revealed to Domain Name Wire that its revenue last year jumped 28% from 2020, totaling $256.76 million. It ended the year with 14.62 million domains under management and 30 million active products, including email subscriptions, SSL, hosting, and more. It added a million customers last year.