Business.US – The Sky is the Limit
For the uninitiated, .US is the official country code domain of the United States. It was once reserved exclusively for the U.S. government, public schools and libraries, but finally became available for public registration in April 2002.
When .US availability was announced, scores of internet users and companies positioned themselves to acquire America’s top .US web address. The .US domain space garnered instant appeal. Savvy registrants considered the importance of American patriotism, the need for a .com alternative, and the fact that the U.S. economy was the # 1 business engine of all time. And so our story begins …
In the vast universe of domain name real estate, one occasionally comes across a very rare internet property. A brilliant star above the landscape which draws attention … and sparks imagination.
For me, it is a domain name registered to a man from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His name is Robert DeMartinis. Robert is the sole investor, registrant, and owner of …
One must restrain the hyperbole, and awe, that is often associated with discussing such a premium-quality internet property. The mind races with possibilities. I was actually introduced to the domain industry in 1999 while in bed one night listening to the 11:00 pm news. The TV news anchor announced with enthusiasm that the domain name, Business.com, had been sold for 7.5 million dollars. My mind froze for a second … and then the light bulb turned on. Years later, we now clearly understand the inherent value contained in a premium generic domain.
Business.com went on to be sold again in 2007 as a developed internet business. The purchase price was $345,000,000. It was acquired by telephone directory publisher, R.H. Donnelley, who outbid News Corp., Dow Jones & Company, The New York Times Company, and InterActiveCorp. No small corporate monikers there.
It’s relatively safe to say that Business.com is now permanently out of reach, and will be “occupied” for some time to come. Which leads us back to Mr. Robert DeMartinis and his jewel, Business.us. Make no mistake, Robert is an astute domain investor having acquired his gem through a series of strategic moves that required foresight, impeccable timing, and an odd dash of irony (an amusing story for another day). In case you’re curious, Robert holds other synergistic properties that compliment his portfolio quite well …
- Products.us
- Services.us
- Delaware.biz
- Housing.biz
- … among others.
Mr. DeMartinis, like many of us, is employed in another profession. Family, responsibilities, and the other callings of life often interfere with time needed to explore the next step for one’s portfolio. Sometimes, the next step is just a phone call away. Or, materializes as a unique and unexpected veer in the road ahead … a turn that is not yet seen, but which may arrive suddenly and with refreshing clarity. This mystery, and journey, are half the fun.
Possessing prime internet real estate is a uniquely rare opportunity. One in which impulsivity and haphazard decisions have no place. Mr. DeMartinis knows this, and he is in no hurry. I have no doubt that someday, as time allows, Mr. DeMartinis will fully ponder the paths available to him. For now, keeping one’s options open is a good play.
Until the eventual course of Business.us is one day revealed, I invite you to share your thoughts and speculations …
1. What enterprise, what exotic venture, might come to be launched via Business.us?
2. Is there an existing corporate entity who could elevate their US presence with Business.us?
3. Assuming a large corporate interest within the next 5 years, do you see this domain being acquired by a U.S. company, or a foreign investor? (assuming the foreign entity meets U.S. nexus requirements)
4. Which unique products, services, or business concepts could shape the future identity of Business.us?
1) Make the site what the public would expect. Since it is a country
code, focus on the USA and the business within it. You could purchase a directory like eDirectory.com sells and fill it with business listings. Either niche or all encompassing. Basic listings are about 4 cents each so it could get expensive depending on what outcome you are looking for.
2) The entity that could eventually buy the site would be Business.com but you would have to give them a run for their money. Using the directory idea with SEO and search engine placement the site could get some talk in the Business.com household and lead to an acquisition.
3) No products needed to run this business. Maybe a rating and comments system (which the eDirectory has) and sponsored pages of interest could generate some capital. You would need to fly in the face of your competitor.
The use of the Internet and its efficiency could give you a leg up. Again, it potentially is a big project because it is a big name that can mean a lot to what the public expects. In saying that, it would generate a larger buyout price. Good Luck!
I’m not a huge fan of .us domains since the essential US extension is com, but I don’t see why this site couldn’t be successful if well built. Another angle would be to provide information and contacts to foreign entities on how and where to do business in the US, rather than being a clone of the .com site. Those outside the US are more familiar with country codes and would likely be more comfortable using this url than people inside the US.
Business is such a generic term and Business.us needs to be unique like any site in order to get visitors to return. Maybe a state directory which is natural for .US or maybe something completely user generated like a linkedin targeted to state and local businesses or a combination of both with businessnews in the mix. In any event Business.us is a great address to start with. Presently their’s more foreign interest .US then interest coming from within the US , maybe it’s due to foreigners using and understsanding cctld’s better then Americans or they are looking to target America or a combination of both, either way Business.us is a generic brand for targeting business in the US.
1) To do it justice a name like business.us needs to have a “feel” that it has been developed by a major corporation. business.us offers a rare opportunity for an individual or a small team determined to build an outstanding resource the chance to be able to compete at a national corporate level at launch.
Here in the UK and Europe we are used to seeing the national ccTLD compete with .com and for many consumers the national ccTLD (.co.uk or .de etc). is often the first website they seek out even before .com! 72% according to this survey from 2008 http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/releases/?contentId=5558.
This preference is especially the case when consumers are looking for companies to provide goods and services which require a real world entity to have a physical presence to deliver, maintain and offer a warranty/guarantee for the said services and products.
2) A small to medium sized directory services company could almost instantly expand their brand to a memorable national brand without the need for persistent marketing campaigns to reinforce a lesser brand.
3) Business.us could provide a definitive entry point for an existing European Directory Services Company looking to compete in the US market place.
4) I think it needs to be developed by someone (or a small team) with a passion to be the best website in the sector. And I think it also needs at least one person who has had the experience of developing or managing a website from a medium or large sized corporation to do business.us justice.
@Michael Castello – “You would need to fly in the face of your competitor.”
That actually sounds like the healthy competition that made America great. I’m thinking, Michael, that you and David accomplished just that with PalmSprings.com. You brought a powerful new medium to life there in Palm Springs that gave notice and woke up the competition.
With Business.us, that might be possible as well. The owner, Mr. DeMartinis, shared with me a number of other rather creative ideas having to do with making the domain a non-directory portal with all kinds of American and foreign information on setting up a U.S. business. Imagine a comprehensive business center that functioned as a nexus for local, national, and international services above and beyond the traditional yellow pages model. I guess the beauty of a generic is that it can be as broad or as narrow as one chooses. Guided by imagination, but tempered by practical considerations.
I’d like to see it built out as a place where foreigners can go to get ideas/news/help on setting up a Biz in the US.
I’ve had this same trouble and now after some hassle have my own LLC setup.
We need somewhere focused on what the end user needs,
maybee like an About.com style site, where others can join and write on there area of expertise, or hand pick your own people and cut them in on the profit from there part of the site, Tax/Law/Accounting/ etc etc…
You only need 1 proffesional for each, and to have the opportunity of working on business.us theres not many that would turn you down
to be honest i dont think we need another directory, but rather a list of government/charity organizations, and when established (let other companies in the list also) pay big $$$ to be listed beside those gov/char companies (gives a feeling of importance)
And have a verification system, where the companies who do list, can take control of there own page, update whenever. like another hosted page.
All the best with that name, the best so far
Stevie.
Good name. It will need to be developed into something that attracts in order to realize its potential. The idea of appealing to non-US markets might be the best since so few people here recognize .us as their own country code.