Tmall (.tmall), often referred to as a top-level domain (TLD), is a domain extension associated with Tmall, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group. A top-level domain is the last segment of the domain name. It’s the part that follows directly after the “dot” symbol. Top-level domains are primarily categorized into two types; generic TLDs such as .com, .net, .org, and country-specific TLDs such as .uk, .us, and .de among others.
The .tmall TLD is categorized as a brand TLD. According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a brand TLD is a type of domain extension that’s specific for a certain brand, entity, or organization. ICANN initiated the new generic TLD program, which resulted in the expansion of available web address endings to include brand TLDs.
Tmall, launched by Alibaba in 2008, is a B2C ecommerce platform used by businesses to sell brand-name goods to consumers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Tmall operates with a business model that allows retail brands to customize their online stores with full control of their goods and services, just like they would in a physical shop. The brand, therefore, utilizes the .tmall domain extension as an internet address for its online stores. For instance, a sample Tmall website address might look like this: www.brandname.tmall.
The implementation of the .tmall TLD has myriad benefits. First, it reinforces the internet presence of the Tmall brand. By using .tmall in its website addresses, it instills customer trust and authority in the Tmall ecommerce platform. Moreover, it helps the brand in search engine optimization (SEO). Google has stated that it treats the new TLDs like the traditional .com or .org domains, meaning that the .tmall TLD does not offer Tmall an SEO disadvantage.
That said, it’s worth noting that the .tmall TLD is strictly intended for the Tmall platform only, which means that it’s not publicly available for registration. It is exclusively controlled and maintained by Alibaba Group, of which Tmall is a subsidiary. The utilization of the .tmall TLD is, therefore, restricted to the Alibaba Group for their relevant brands or initiatives.
When understanding and discussing the .tmall TLD, verifiable resources include ICANN’s site regarding the new generic TLD program, Google’s policy on how it handles new TLDs, Tmall’s official corporate site, and various reputable ecommerce news outlets that report on companies like Alibaba and Tmall.
Sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
2. Google Webmaster Central Blog.
3. Tmall corporate website.
4. Alibaba Group.
5. Various ecommerce news outlets.
