The stronger the difference the more things are the same

The Internet is transforming the world at an extrodinary pace.  In the Dot Com Boom (and eventual crash) everyone focused on the "revolution" and what the future was going to be like.  When asked why traditional rules and experience applied, executives from Internet companies just looked at you blankly.  Yes, the world is being grossly influenced by the Internet, real time information, and connective relationships.  However, traditional business concepts still are the fundamental principals of the Internet.  They just need to be applied with open eyes and creative thinking. 

Internet Strategy is still about the fundamentals:  Leadership, Economics, Market Forces, Value Chains, Yield Management, Human Capital, Distribution, Cost vs Differentiation, Build or Buy, Location (Domain Name), Marketing, Operational Efficiency, etc.

Building an online business is no different than building a bricks and mortar business - a business plan.  What goes in that plan?  Do these topics sound familiar?

• Governance
• Strategy
• Management
• Operations
• Marketing
• Promotion
• People
• Finance
• Performance
• Risk

Don't get me wrong.  The Internet is not business as usual!  Doing business online requires a keen understanding of the nature of the Internet.  Meaning the fundamentals of how it actually works, emerging trends, social interactions, and a phlethora of other things.  This requires Internet expertise and experience.  There is no faster way of losing money than entering the Internet without the help of someone who is experienced.

The world is anxiously awaiting the settlement process of the gold rush for new gTLD domain extensions.  With 1,800 valid applications and ICANN raising around $360 million (interesting for a non-profit regulator) the application rush is over and the approval process and auction competitions has begun.  In the rush there were about 1200 Brand/Trademark applications (.google), 650 generic niche applications (.shop), 200 International Domain Names [IDNs], and 50 or so Geographic domain names (.Africa).  Some of these applications weren't valid as the fees weren't paid (around 214), and around 500 of the niche applications were from around 20 applicants (portfolio applicants).

For 228 domain extensions there was more than one applicant.  The top 11 of these with applications numbers are: .APP (13), .INC (11), .HOME (11), .ART (10), .LLC (9), .BLOG (9), .BOOK (9), .SHOP (9), .MOVIE (8), .MUSIC (8) .DESIGN (8).  35 had 5 or more applicants, and 115 had at least 3.

Of the application 1819 of them were for domains using the alpha numeric alphabet - with 1,308 of those being unique terms.

Traditionally gTLD domain extensions are three characters.  In the new application batch 242 of alpha numeric use three characters, 989 use four to ten characters, and an astounding 75 use between eleven and eighteen characters.

One thing is for certain.  The number of new domain extensions is extrodinary.  It will open the market to a lot of opportunity and equally as much money to be burned.  The real question is about where the smart money and dumb money will be spent in this gold rush.