| u own a website and are located anywhere in | | | | current registration trends continue, this could very |
| Europe, especially the U.K., you’re probably | | | | well occur. |
| well aware of all the attention surrounding the Eurid | | | | Discount Domains, a company specializing in website |
| offering of .eu domains to the public..Eu domains have | | | | design and web hosting, offers .eu domains to the |
| been long awaited and their popularity is expected to | | | | public at an affordable price. They hope to soon |
| be similar to .com domains. These domains were | | | | become an accredited registrar with Eurid in order to |
| originally only available in what was known as the | | | | provide additional high quality service to the public. |
| Sunrise 1 and Sunrise 2 stages. Sunrise 1, the first of | | | | Customers can purchase top level domain names |
| the three stages, began on December 7, 2005. To | | | | from Discount Domains for their business or |
| be considered for a .eu domain, applicants chose a | | | | organization. The only requirement is that domain |
| domain name had to be related to a registered | | | | names must be registered for a minimum period of |
| trademark. This policy greatly restricted the number | | | | two years. The company also offers a wide range of |
| of applicants that could apply for a domain. The | | | | services including domain transfers, web hosting, |
| Sunrise 2 stage was offered on February 7, 2006 | | | | marketing expertise, and search engine submissions. |
| and allowed applicants to reserve domains related to | | | | Discount Domains offers many options for customers |
| both unregistered trademarks and company names. | | | | wishing to register a .eu domain. |
| The purpose of the Sunrise phases was to allow well | | | | When choosing .eu domains for your business, there |
| established companies the first rights to their desired | | | | are some important points to remember. As with any |
| domain names. As with other types of domains, | | | | type of domain name, it is a good idea to choose a |
| many times people will purchase a number of domain | | | | .eu domain that is the same or very similar to your |
| names hoping to resell them at an elevated cost. | | | | business or website name. This will make it much |
| Unfortunately, some individuals have even tried using | | | | easier for customers and clients to remember. Even |
| domain names that are similar to well known | | | | if they forget your website address, by running a |
| companies hoping to gain exposure for their product | | | | search on your company name, they can quickly |
| or business. | | | | locate your domain name and link to your site. Using |
| The last stage known as the | | | | your business name within you domain name is a |
| “Landrush” became available on April | | | | valuable resource for search engine purposes. |
| 7, 2006. This final stage allows much greater flexibility | | | | If your requested domain name is not available, the |
| for persons wishing to register a .eu domain. Basically | | | | provider may suggest similar domain names to the |
| anyone who resides in the European Union or who | | | | one you suggested. Be careful when considering this |
| has a business located there can qualify for a .eu | | | | option. First of all you will need to make sure that |
| domain. Much like other domain extensions, .eu | | | | your domain name is not easily confused with other |
| domains are now being assigned on a first come | | | | similar names. When marketing your site, be sure to |
| basis. This has caused many companies and | | | | use the entire .eu domain name. This will help to |
| businesses to scramble in an effort to acquire their | | | | alleviate any misunderstanding or confusion. Lastly, it |
| desired domain name. If a domain name under the | | | | is much easier to purchase your domain name first |
| .com extension is not available, a similar domain ending | | | | before designing a new business or choosing a |
| in the .eu extension may be available instead. | | | | company name. Trying to come up with a domain |
| After the opening of the Landrush stage, the sale of | | | | name for a well established company can sometimes |
| .eu domains has skyrocketed. To date there are well | | | | be a headache. Often times the desired domain name |
| over 1.7 million registered domain names and the | | | | may already be taken. If you plan on establishing a |
| numbers are expected to keep growing. Many | | | | new website or opening a business in the near |
| experts believe .eu domains will some day come | | | | future, you can greatly benefit by choosing your .eu |
| close to the number of registered .com sites. If | | | | domains ahead of time. |