LifeChurch.tv is getting into the domain name business. This past week LifeChurch.tv applied to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigning Names and Numbers) for the .church domain. In 2013 the internet is going to expand the extensions that we currently use for web addresses to add hundreds of new top-level domains. Next year you will see .green, .apple, and if LifeChurch.tv has their way, .church.
New domain applications do not come cheap, with each application costing $185,000. But that has not stopped hundreds of organizations from applying for new domains. Lifechurch.tv is one of two organizations to apply for the .church domain. Lifechurch.tv is hoping that with the addition of the .church domain ministries will be able to develop a web presence using easy to remember web addresses. New easy to remember addresses are becoming more and more difficult to find these days. One usually most try numerous combinations of names in order to find a name that is not already in use.
Technology has become a major part of our lives and churches are finding that it is imperative to maintain a web presence that is easy to locate and easy to remember. The addition of these generic top-level domains should help any business looking to start up a web page but LifeChurch.tv is looking to help churches do this in an inexpensive manner.
A .church domain creates a clearly identified namespace for churches and religious organizations, making it easier for people to discover, connect with, and share those ministries.
The application process has been closed for the new generic top-level domains and it is now up to ICANN to approve the application. LifeChurch.tv is encouraging churches and ministries to help them in this process by visiting their website dotChurch. You can support their application by submitting a public comment by email prior to August 11, 2012. Please consider helping LifeChurch.tv in their endeavor. With two organizations applying for the same domain, your comment might make the difference. And I would much rather LifeChurch.tv have control over the domain instead of someone who is out to make their a quick buck in cyberspace. (The person that filed the other application for .bible also filed applications for .academy, .accountants, .agency, .apartments, .app, .architect, .art, .associates, .attorney, .auction, .audio, .auto and that is only the a’s.) You will find all of the information you need to help them at the dotChurch website.
LifeChurch.tv is not the only ministry trying to get in on the name game, the American Bible Society has submitted an application for the .Bible name as well. If you would like to see the generic names that were submitted for approval you can check out the ICANN list here. It looks like we may be visiting sites with .google, .bestbuy, and even .honda sometime next year.
Will you get a .church domain for your church?
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I wonder who applied for .blog?
I wondered the same thing. There are about 6 or 7 applying for it.
this is very interesting. Do you think it will catch on with the churches? do you really think they are going to make it cost effective for everyone?
I think it will. It is so hard these days to find easy to remember names.
In terms of cost, their track record for making stuff affordable is pretty good.
sounds good! I'm looking forward to it and sharing your post with our network churches so we can all be ready when the time comes toget our .church domain. thanks!!
You are welcome. I will be on the lookout and post more info here as the domains get awarded.