The top-level domain (TLD) “.beer” is part of the category of TLDs known as Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). This type of TLD was introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to provide new opportunities in the digital landscape for businesses, organizations, and individuals.
The “.beer” TLD is managed by Minds + Machines Group, a company that specializes in operating new gTLDs. According to its registry, “the domain name .BEER, is a domain for brewers, beer aficionados, pubs, bars… basically anyone whose work or life’s passion connects with beer” (Minds + Machines Group, n.d.).
Generally, TLDs with a clear market or audience, like “.beer”, offers a unique advantage for businesses and categories related to that field. For example, a brewery could use a “.beer” domain to highlight its core product in a memorable way, like www.traditionalbrewery.beer. Similarly, a beer enthusiast could use this domain to create a website featuring beer reviews, such as www.localbeerreviews.beer.
Domain registration services like GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com provide these domains. Prices may vary depending on the registrar and the specific domain, but it usually ranges from $20 to $40 per year for a “.beer” domain, as per the listing on GoDaddy.com and Namecheap.com.
Notably, there are no geographic restrictions on who can register a “.beer” domain, unlike some TLDs such as “.eu” which are limited to residents of the European Union (European Commission, n.d.). This makes “.beer” domains accessible to beer lovers, brewers, pubs and bars worldwide.
While there are benefits to using a “.beer” domain, it’s important to keep in mind potential challenges. Some users may be unfamiliar with non-traditional TLDs and may, therefore, find them less trustworthy or have difficulty remembering them (Nielsen Norman Group, 2017). Additionally, as with any TLD, availability of specific domain names can be a concern, though the general availability of the “.beer” TLD may have more options open than more common TLDs like “.com” or “.net”.
In conclusion, the “.beer” TLD can offer valuable branding opportunities for those in and enthusiastic about the beer industry globally. Its potential for providing a unique and expressive online identity backed by Minds + Machines’ registry could be a game-changer in how businesses and individuals resonate with beer lovers online.
Sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The Multistakeholder Model. https://www.icann.org/get-started
2. Minds + Machines Group. “.BEER” https://mmx.co/tlds/beer
3. GoDaddy. Pricing. https://www.godaddy.com/domains/beer-domain
4. Namecheap. Domain Name Search. https://www.namecheap.com/
5. European Commission. .EU domain names. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/eu-domain-names\_en
6. Nielsen Norman Group. The Impact of New Top-Level Domains: Early Effects of .CARS, .CAR, .AUTO, on the Auto Industry. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/new-domain-names-ux/
