Radix Registry, launched by the Directi group in 2012 has won the rights to operate the .website generic Top Level Domain (gTLD). The .website was won for an undisclosed amount on the basis of a private auction conducted on 23rd October.
Just last month, U.S.-based Endurance International Group had announced it would be acquiring a part of web services firm Directi for $100-$110 million.
Radix Founder Bhavin Turakhia said: “We are delighted that we have won .website — our first major win — on the historic day that the first new gTLDs were added to the root. .website has been one of our top picks for Radix’s flagship TLD and it’s exciting to get it this early. It is a fantastic extension that exemplifies our strategy — to operate extensions that have the maximum global impact. As our draw number is highly favorable, we hope to launch .website by late Q1 or early Q2 2014. Yes, it will likely be the first truly generic new gTLD that the world will see.”
Why this win is significant?
According to global survey data spanning hundreds of individuals and business owners across over 25 professional categories, the .website extension ranks among the top three in the generic category.
The .website TLD also featured in the top three choices of users who do not own a domain name and seek to buy one. With close to 70% of names searched being unavailable in the existing gTLDs, .website can provide the perfect alternative where users can easily find a first-choice name.
Competitors overtaken – The other competitors in the private auction conducted for .website gTLD were Donuts Inc. and Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd. For Radix, it is especially a big victory as it beat these 2 global leaders in the auction. In the 29 applications, Radix also has three uncontested applications — .press, .space and .host.
We have now truly made a mark in the Internet space!!!
