The top-level domain (TLD) .PW is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Republic of Palau, an archipelago of over 500 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean. This TLD is managed by the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC), the primary telecommunications provider in Palau, as per the division of TLDs by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
However, .PW is not just limited to the Republic of Palau. It has been re-branded as the ‘Professional Web’ and is available for global registration since 2013 as a result of a partnership between the PNCC and Directi, an Indian internet products company. This re-branding was initiated to provide professionals and businesses worldwide with domain names, thereby increasing online visibility.
A variety of established corporations, businesses, professionals, and even individuals have registered .PW domains for a number of reasons. One primary reason is the availability of desired names. As the .COM domain extension is heavily saturated, many businesses choose .PW for their websites because their desired name is more likely to be available in this namespace.
Apart from that, businesses particularly those in fields like IT, consulting, and freelancing take advantage of the ‘Professional Web’ branding to emphasize their commitment to professionalism. Even though it carries the country-code for Palau, the global availability and rebranding of .PW have given it a much broader significance, making it a popular choice for many globally.
On the other hand, some potential customers or users might be unfamiliar with .PW or, upon learning that it is the country code for Palau, assume that a business using a .PW domain is based in Palau, potentially misleading them about the business’s location. However, the global nature of business today and increasing digital literacy should help overcome this obstacle over time.
You can register a .PW domain with many popular domain registrars. One example is NameCheap which offers .PW registration. Once registered, you can use it like any other domain for your website, email, etc.
In conclusion, .PW, initially designated as the country-specific TLD of Palau, has been repurposed as a globally available, professional-oriented TLD. This shift has expanded its reach, offering professionals from all around the world the opportunity to secure a suitable domain name. Despite some potential confusion about its origins, .PW has gained credibility as a valuable domain extension for ambitious professionals and businesses worldwide.
Sources:
1. PNCC – Palau National Communications Corporation: https://www.pnccpalau.com/
2. ICANN – Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers: https://www.icann.org/
3. Directi: https://www.directi.com/
4. The Register – Palau.cc? Tiny Pacific nation to generate cash by flogging its domain names: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/10/25/palau_tld_auctions/
5. NameCheap: https://www.namecheap.com/
