Andres Kello
07-01-2007, 05:42 AM
Hey guys, here's the first draft of "What is .mobi?" for newbies that the Mods and I created.
Give us your feedback on this guide and let us know if you think anything should be added, removed, or modified.
What is .mobi?
.mobi is a Top Level Domain (TLD) just like .com, .net, and .org that is specifically for websites designed to be viewed on mobile devices, particularly mobile phones.
Who started .mobi?
.mobi was first conceived by Nokia in 2000, and invited Microsoft and Vodafone to join the dotMobi initiative. In 2004, 10 companies formed the dotMobi consortium and by 2005 ICANN had approved .mobi as a new global TLD. dotMobi (mTLD) opened its Headquarters in 2006 in Dublin, Ireland. Today, mTLD is financially backed by Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telefónica Móviles, Telecom Italia Mobile, Orascom Telecom, GSM Association, Hutchison Whampoa, Syniverse Technologies, and VISA.
When were .mobi names made available?
.mobi names were first made available for registration to registered Trademark holders during the Sunrise period in June 2006. Following the Sunrise period, anyone could pre-register for a chance to register names in the Landrush period that began on September 26, 2006. Following the Landrush came the general registration period that continues today.
What names are available?
In the forming of mTLD, there were 2 special groups of .mobi domain names, Reserved Names and Premium Names. Reserved names are a special pool of names that will likely never be released by mTLD for sale or transfer. These include special names such as country names like France.mobi and 1 and 2 digit names like 1.mobi and go.mobi.
The Premium names are ones that mTLD determined to be of high quality that they will either sell to the highest bidder or ***er for sale in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, awarding the specific name to the applicant with the best development proposal.
Any name that was not part of the Reserved or Premium pool was available for registration during the Sunrise, Landrush or general registration periods.
Why is .mobi needed?
.mobi is needed to meet the growing demand for mobile websites viewed on the significantly smaller screens of mobile devices. Since most current websites are not optimized for mobile devices, .mobi is helping to build that mobile internet.
What are the advantages of .mobi?
Since 100% of .mobi sites must be optimized for viewing on a mobile phone, the .mobi TLD serves as a trustmark for users letting them know that this site will work on their mobile device. While any website regardless of the TLD involved can be designed for mobile users in mind, most are not and the .mobi trustmark provides peace of mind to mobile internet users.
How do I register a .mobi?
You can register .mobi's at most domain registrars. For a full list of those registrars, please click here (http://pc.mtld.mobi/switched/findaregistrar.html).
How much does a .mobi cost?
Anywhere between $8 - $13 per year, depending on the registrar. If you see a registrar charging more than that, go with another one. If you want a recommendation, feel free to ask fellow Mobility members in our Discussion forum.
How do I check for available .mobi's?
mTLD WHOIS (http://whois.mtld.mobi/domain/whois)
How do I find out who owns a particular .mobi?
mTLD WHOIS (http://whois.mtld.mobi/domain/whois)
Are there any requirements for designing a .mobi site?
Yes, .mobi sites must be optimized for mobile phones. In order to do that, they must follow these guidelines (http://dev.mobi/files/dotmobi_Switch_On_Web_Developer_Guide.html). If you need any help with these guidelines, that's what we're here for. Browse through our Development area and if you still have some questions, please ask and we will try and help.
Are there any templates I can download as a starting point for my .mobi website?
Yes there are, click here (http://dev.mobi/node/10). There is also a .mobi development website from mTLD at dev.mobi (http://dev.mobi). Also visit site.mobi (http://site.mobi) which can help you build sites right now! Of course, we're also here to help.
Where can I find some News Articles specifically about .mobi?
Right here (http://mobility.mobi/showpost.php?p=27560&postcount=1) on Mobility.
OK, that's great and all, but which well-known companies have actually launched their .mobi?
These ones. (http://mobility.mobi/showpost.php?p=19&postcount=1)
And what are the most expensive .mobi's sold to date?
Flowers.mobi sold for $200,000, Poker.mobi sold for $150,000, Ringtones.mobi sold for $145,000, Casino.mobi sold for $135,000, Sportsbook.mobi sold for $129,800, News.mobi sold for $110,000, Hosting.mobi sold for $101,000, and Fun.mobi sold for $100,000.
Can you make money with .mobi?
It is very difficult to earn money reselling .mobi domain names. The only realistic way to earn money today with .mobi is to develop them into profitable mobile sites.
Give us your feedback on this guide and let us know if you think anything should be added, removed, or modified.
What is .mobi?
.mobi is a Top Level Domain (TLD) just like .com, .net, and .org that is specifically for websites designed to be viewed on mobile devices, particularly mobile phones.
Who started .mobi?
.mobi was first conceived by Nokia in 2000, and invited Microsoft and Vodafone to join the dotMobi initiative. In 2004, 10 companies formed the dotMobi consortium and by 2005 ICANN had approved .mobi as a new global TLD. dotMobi (mTLD) opened its Headquarters in 2006 in Dublin, Ireland. Today, mTLD is financially backed by Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telefónica Móviles, Telecom Italia Mobile, Orascom Telecom, GSM Association, Hutchison Whampoa, Syniverse Technologies, and VISA.
When were .mobi names made available?
.mobi names were first made available for registration to registered Trademark holders during the Sunrise period in June 2006. Following the Sunrise period, anyone could pre-register for a chance to register names in the Landrush period that began on September 26, 2006. Following the Landrush came the general registration period that continues today.
What names are available?
In the forming of mTLD, there were 2 special groups of .mobi domain names, Reserved Names and Premium Names. Reserved names are a special pool of names that will likely never be released by mTLD for sale or transfer. These include special names such as country names like France.mobi and 1 and 2 digit names like 1.mobi and go.mobi.
The Premium names are ones that mTLD determined to be of high quality that they will either sell to the highest bidder or ***er for sale in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, awarding the specific name to the applicant with the best development proposal.
Any name that was not part of the Reserved or Premium pool was available for registration during the Sunrise, Landrush or general registration periods.
Why is .mobi needed?
.mobi is needed to meet the growing demand for mobile websites viewed on the significantly smaller screens of mobile devices. Since most current websites are not optimized for mobile devices, .mobi is helping to build that mobile internet.
What are the advantages of .mobi?
Since 100% of .mobi sites must be optimized for viewing on a mobile phone, the .mobi TLD serves as a trustmark for users letting them know that this site will work on their mobile device. While any website regardless of the TLD involved can be designed for mobile users in mind, most are not and the .mobi trustmark provides peace of mind to mobile internet users.
How do I register a .mobi?
You can register .mobi's at most domain registrars. For a full list of those registrars, please click here (http://pc.mtld.mobi/switched/findaregistrar.html).
How much does a .mobi cost?
Anywhere between $8 - $13 per year, depending on the registrar. If you see a registrar charging more than that, go with another one. If you want a recommendation, feel free to ask fellow Mobility members in our Discussion forum.
How do I check for available .mobi's?
mTLD WHOIS (http://whois.mtld.mobi/domain/whois)
How do I find out who owns a particular .mobi?
mTLD WHOIS (http://whois.mtld.mobi/domain/whois)
Are there any requirements for designing a .mobi site?
Yes, .mobi sites must be optimized for mobile phones. In order to do that, they must follow these guidelines (http://dev.mobi/files/dotmobi_Switch_On_Web_Developer_Guide.html). If you need any help with these guidelines, that's what we're here for. Browse through our Development area and if you still have some questions, please ask and we will try and help.
Are there any templates I can download as a starting point for my .mobi website?
Yes there are, click here (http://dev.mobi/node/10). There is also a .mobi development website from mTLD at dev.mobi (http://dev.mobi). Also visit site.mobi (http://site.mobi) which can help you build sites right now! Of course, we're also here to help.
Where can I find some News Articles specifically about .mobi?
Right here (http://mobility.mobi/showpost.php?p=27560&postcount=1) on Mobility.
OK, that's great and all, but which well-known companies have actually launched their .mobi?
These ones. (http://mobility.mobi/showpost.php?p=19&postcount=1)
And what are the most expensive .mobi's sold to date?
Flowers.mobi sold for $200,000, Poker.mobi sold for $150,000, Ringtones.mobi sold for $145,000, Casino.mobi sold for $135,000, Sportsbook.mobi sold for $129,800, News.mobi sold for $110,000, Hosting.mobi sold for $101,000, and Fun.mobi sold for $100,000.
Can you make money with .mobi?
It is very difficult to earn money reselling .mobi domain names. The only realistic way to earn money today with .mobi is to develop them into profitable mobile sites.