The top-level domain (TLD) “.LIGHTING” is a specific internet category that is designated for use by individuals, companies, or organizations related to the lighting industry. It was introduced as part of the generic top-level domain (gTLD) expansion by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). These expansions serve to create a broader and more inclusive internet space that caters to a variety of industries, interests, and professions including the lighting industry.
A .LIGHTING domain can be quite handy in optimising visibility of websites related to the lighting sector. Some classic examples can be businesses that manufacture or sell lighting equipment, professional lighting designers, photographers, architects, interior designers, or even event planners.
The TLD .LIGHTING provides an opportunity for these varied interests to carve out their own distinct entity online in a way that a generic .COM or .NET cannot. A business that uses .LIGHTING domain name, for example, immediately communicates its specialty area to potential customers or clients. Likewise, a lighting designer with a .LIGHTING site can effectively differentiate their site from the greater pool of design sites that may otherwise use a more generic TLD.
According to domain registration companies like GoDaddy and Namecheap, the .LIGHTING domain offers an excellent way to enhance online branding and make it easy for your customers to find you. In many cases, it helps in ranking better in web search results as it’s an exact match TLD, allowing more relevant leads to find the website.
While the .LIGHTING TLD does not have any specific restrictions, its use is mainly advisable and beneficial for those directly involved in the lighting industry. Before you can use it, you have to register with domain name registrars. These are organizations that manage the reservation of internet domain names, some popular ones are GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehost etc.
The registration process with these companies involves checking whether your desired .LIGHTING domain name is available. If it is, you will pay a fee to purchase and register it.
The .LIGHTING TLD is proof of how specialized and industry-specific domains can be. It offers a unique opportunity for the lighting industry to create a distinctive online identity that precisely communicates what it does.
Sources:
1. ICANN- https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en
2. Godaddy- https://www.godaddy.com/help/what-is-a-domain-name-305
3. Namecheap- https://www.namecheap.com/domains/registration/results/?domain=.lighting
4. Bluehost- https://www.bluehost.com/domains.
