Understanding the gTLD Application Process

In March 2013, Sedo released a “gTLD Awareness Report” that found 63 percent of small to mid-sized business owners are unaware that new gTLDs will be available in 2013 and many do not understand what the value of these new addresses will be.

Ninety-four percent of respondents say they were not currently planning to purchase a new gTLD. Despite advertising and education from the major players in the domain field, those figures likely haven’t shifted much. Aside from awareness, the whole process of securing a new TLD can be confusing. Savvy domain registrars, however, are making the route to a new TLD less overwhelming, but it’s still important to take a look at the registration phases: Pre-Registration, Sunrise, Landrush and General Availability. 

This is how GoDaddy defines the different gTLD phases: 

Pre-Registration – Lets interested parties submit registration requests ahead of its date.

Sunrise – This is a registration period specifically for trademark holders. 

Landrush – Occurring after Sunrise, the Landrush phase is an opportunity for those wanting early, non-trademark registrations. 

General Availability – This is a first-come, first-serve registration. It’s open to the public but subject to registration requirements (like membership to an organization, for example).