.London: Capital To Get Its Own Domain Name

[Jazzy]

London is to get its own website domain suffix, in what is seen as a major boost for businesses in the capital.

A deal was signed this week that will make available internet addresses ending in .london, instead of the usual .com or co.uk, from next year.

The agreement, signed off by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), allows London-based businesses, organisations and individuals to apply for the domain name from spring 2014.

London & Partners, the city's promotional body, says tens of thousands of businesses, including prestigious brands like Selfridges and Carnaby Street, have already expressed an interest.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said it would be a major boon for businesses.

He said: "Adopting the .london suffix will enable organisations to more closely associate themselves with our great city's powerful global brand.

"This is also an excellent opportunity to expand London's digital presence, which in turn is set to generate funds to invest back into the city."

Information on the new domain is available online

Do you think having this domain name will cause a major boon for businesses? Why / Why not?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Seems long and unnecessary

 

[Kirito]

I've never understood the need for so many different ones. What does it matter if it's .com, .uk or .org? I agree with Nebulous, unnecessarily long.

 

[Jazzy]

Seems long and unnecessary

I totally agree with you.

 

[Evil Eye]

.london seems rather lengthy, but I guess if you really wanted the London based part of a company it could be useful. And well, there can't be too many TLDs, I guess.

What does it matter if it's .com, .uk or .org?

It matters quite a bit. Suppose I wanted the national website of some multinational company and I can't read English. Trying company.com, .uk, .us or something like that wouldn't do me any good, whereas using my nation's TLD would.

The domain being used should be meaningful. .com has been grossly misused, hence why there's also a .biz.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

They should have a domain name for every city if they do one for London.

 

[Evil Eye]

They should have a domain name for every city if they do one for London.

Yep, every major one at least.
I imagine, if this pays out, other cities will follow suit.