The top-level domain (TLD) “.dealer” is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) used on the Internet’s Domain Name System. This domain is intended for use by various commercial or personal dealers in all kinds of goods and/or services. According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), who manages these top-level domains, the application for .dealer was approved as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program (source: ICANN). This program started in 2012 with the goal of improving competition and innovation in domain name space.
The “.dealer” TLD, like other TLDs, can be registered by any individual, business, or organization wishing to distinguish their dealing services from others on the web. A similar example of an sTLD intended for a specific group could be “.edu” for educational institutions or “.gov” for government entities. The “.dealer” extension can potentially provide dealers with a unique identifier in the domain space to market their products or services better.
The corporate entity behind the .dealer TLD is Intercap Registry Inc. based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They initially applied for this gTLD in 2012 and after a long procedure, it was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on the 16th of September, 2015 (source: ICANN). Since then, Intercap Registry has been managing this TLD, ensuring it is used appropriately and effectively by dealers across the globe.
For example, the domain car.dealer or shoes.dealer would be perfect for car dealerships or shoe vendors wanting to better advertise their products. It creates a sense of identity for the dealer on the web, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember the site, hence increasing the likelihood of repeated visits and potentially higher sales.
The .dealer TLD, along with other new TLDs vetted by ICANN provides Internet users with additional choice when it comes to choosing a domain name. It also allows businesses and organizations to emphasize their unique selling proposition, expanding their digital footprint, and attracting a targeted audience. Registrars for such domains include but are not limited to, GoDaddy and Namecheap.
In conclusion, the .dealer top-level domain opens up the Internet space for better identification and clearer branding for dealers. The nature of Internet commerce means that differentiation is key in attracting and maintaining a customer base – the .dealer extension offers just that. Managed by the responsible organization, Intercap Registry Inc., and regulated by ICANN, it constitutes a reliable and recognized source of online identification for dealers.
Sources:
https://icannwiki.org/.dealer
https://lookup.icann.org/lookup
