New TLDs

Thinking about a new TLD? Neustar is ready to help!

You have a brilliant idea for the next great Internet domain. Your business plan is solid. There’s only one thing left to do, and it’s probably the most important step of all: choosing a registry services provider.

Your new domain represents a significant investment of time, money and brainpower. To support it, you need to align yourself with a company that is experienced, financially stable, and respected within the industry. This is the safest and easiest way to ensure that your domain receives the world-class support it needs. Here are just a few of the many questions you’ll weigh in the near future:

• Does my chosen partner have gTLD experience? A reputation for excellence in registry management should be your primary criterion for selecting a registry partner. This partner should be a recognized leader in introducing new services and processes that safeguard brand equity – and the security and stability of the Internet as a whole. Expertise in marketing, business development, engineering, policy, legal, operations, billing, DNS, reporting, and customer service are other critical considerations.
• How robust, scalable and flexible is my partner’s infrastructure? A world-class infrastructure ensures that your TLD is getting the best technology available to meet the ever-changing demands of today’s marketplace. Look for a partner who offers favorable terms, competitive pricing, the best technical solutions, and ideal value.
• Will my registry partner be ready to bring my TLD to market when I am? Time is most definitely money – and your registry service provider should be fully committed to launching your TLD as quickly and efficiently as possible. The best registry partners will readily commit to a stringent Service Level Agreement (SLA). You may have complex business processes that require innovative applications around your TLD; if so, your best bet is to find a registry with extensive experience in developing and operating TLDs that require larger and more detailed implementations. The registry you choose should guarantee its ability to deliver what you need on time and within your budget.
• Once my TLD is live, will my registry partner assist my outreach efforts? Taking a new domain to the Internet is a huge step, but an even bigger job lies ahead: convincing potential Registrars and Registrants of its value. In this regard, having relationships with existing registrar partners is essential to success. Choose a registrar channel focused primarily on providing wholesale registration services to actual paying customers, rather than on non-traditional models like tasting. A quality sales channel without conflict is always better than one that is inactive or underperforming.
• My domain is up and running! We’ve got a broad distribution channel, and we’re attracting registrants. What’s next? Expansion! Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) allow your new TLD to expand its reach into the global marketplace – which ultimately means more registrations for you. Partnering with a registry that has expertise with IDNs, as well as an established international presence, will strengthen your TLD in rapidly expanding international markets.
• How can I best ensure the security of my TLD? As your TLD grows in popularity, you’ll want to preserve the stability, security, and trust you’ve earned. Most online criminal activity targets the DNS infrastructure. As such, you should make it a priority to partner with a registry services provider that is proficient with managed DNS services, ensuring that problems will be defused long before they start to negatively impact the TLD space, its reputation, and your business.

Neustar will help you take your New TLD from “idea” to “launch” – and we’ll support you every step of the way with proven expertise in ICANN policies, proposal writing, marketing, and registry platform development. Inquire today! Please contact Ivor Sequeira at +1 571 434 5776 or ivor.sequeira@neustar.biz .