Opening up the choice of domain name extensions will lead to an increase in registrations, but .com and .co.uk sites will remain popular because that is where major websites can be found, according to 123-reg.co.uk.

At a meeting in Paris last week, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) voted to allow companies to buy their own top-level domain (TLD) names.

Referring to the decision, Andrew Bennett, domains manager with the website registration company, said there may be an increase in vanity TLDs, which are names chosen simply for marketing purposes.

"During the launch you'll get a massive hype over the new TLD and you'll get an increase in registrations," he continued.

"But people will always remember .com and .co.uk because that's where the main websites are."

Mr Bennett went on to say new extensions will only become popular if a certain amount of people take them on, adding that this is unlikely as extensions such as .biz, .jobs and .travel have not proven popular.


© Adfero Ltd