80% Of Small Businesses Prefer .Com over New gTLD’s says Verisign Backed Study

New Infographic: Perspectives from Small Businesses on New Generic Top-level Domains (gTLDs)

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Over the next couple of years, domain standards like .com, .net and .org will be joined by potentially thousands of new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs), such as .photography and .restaurant. To gain perspective from those already doing business online, SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses, teamed up with Verisign, the global leader in domain names, to better understand entrepreneurs’ views on new gTLDs, and what small business owners consider when naming their business website.

According to this survey of small- and medium-sized (SMB) business owners already conducting business online:

• 4 out of 5 SMB website owners prefer a .com web address over a new gTLD web address.
• 81 percent of website owners believe new gTLDs will be confusing to their customers.
• 77 percent of SMB website owners prefer a .com web address over a new gTLDs that describes their business.
• 79 percent of Internet users would rather visit a .com will confuse customers.
• 66 percent of SMB website owners prefer a descriptive, longer .com web address to a shorter new gTLD address.
• An overwhelming majority (94 percent) feel safe visiting a .com while only 33 percent feel comfortable visiting a new gTLD.

Download this infographic to gain a better understanding of how credibility, customer trust and searchability factor into a small business owner’s URL naming decision. Visit www.SCORE.org for more information or email questions to media@score.org.

DOWNLOAD HERE: http://www.score.org/resources/how-will-new-gtlds-impact-small-business

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring, workshops and education to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 11,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in over 320 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans and www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors.

Contact Information
Aliana Marino
800/634-0245
media@score.org

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140618/119303

SOURCE SCORE Association
RELATED LINKS
http://www.score.org