Month: December 2023

.koeln and .cologne as the digital voice for Cologne

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

We spoke to Christina Boenig, the product manager for NetCologne, a network operator based in the German city of Cologne. Boenig is in charge of domain products for the company, which was the official registration agent for the .koeln and .cologne domains from 2014 to 2018. Since then, the company has specialised in marketing these two domains in collaboration with the register dotkoeln GmbH.

How many .koeln and .cologne domains have been registered to date?

We started in 2014 with some 4,000 registered domains, a figure which had risen to 5,500 when we sold the register in 2018. Today there are 4,900 registered domains, 3,273 of them registered through NetCologne and the rest with other registration companies.

What is the main mission of the .koeln and .cologne domains?

The domains are very well known in Cologne and the surrounding area. We’re connected with clients from local businesses involved in schools, associations, events and the city’s public wi-fi network, so now we focus on regionality. In other words, identifying the two domains with the attributes and values of the city.

What are the requisites for registering a .koeln or .cologne domain?

Even though the domains are focused on identifying organisations and people from the city, there are no specific restrictions other than the usual ones for any type of domain.

What are the advantages of using a .koeln or .cologne domain compared to other domain extensions?

It’s a domain that demonstrates the connection with Cologne and offers a range of assets and services in Cologne for the city’s inhabitants. In addition, as a geolocatable domain, it improves search results and as it uses the name of the city it’s easier to remember.

What have you done to promote the .koeln and .cologne domains among the local community?

We run an ongoing campaign of interviews with local heroes: we tell their business story and the reason they use a .koeln or .cologne domain. We want to present a variety of cases of different uses. From local cafes to shop owners in the city and even social involvement and content creators. We use interviews for communication on social media and we accompany them with information on the domain. We also publish them in our regular magazine for business clients. You can find the interviews at  NetCologne local heroes – YouTube. Besides local heroes, we run publicity campaigns such as vinyl on trams with slogans like “Your city, your domain” and “Those who love Cologne, show everyone”. We held a draw on social media, where you could win a surfing trip on the River Rin with the slogan “surf offline with .cologne”.

What are you doing to promote local initiatives and organisations?

In the past, we offered .koeln and .cologne domains for free or at a reduced price. While we thought this was good practice, it wasn’t so successful, as there was only a take-up of a few domains. Often there was just a re-direction. The migration of existing domains appears to be a big barrier, so what we do now is to sponsor some associations, events and organisations in Cologne, such as the literature festival  lit.COLOGNE.

Finally, how do you think the .koeln and .cologne domains contribute to the community in Cologne?

Besides being a geolocatable domain which links you with the city’s values, at NetCologne we give a lot of visibility the users of these two domains. We’re a digital voice for the city.

Make a .barcelona wish this Christmas

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Cities shine bright, with thousands of lights glittering in the streets, on trees and in houses. It’s the most magical moment of the year, when we whisper our wishes in the hope that they’ll be granted.

If yours is to gain an internet presence, it’s in your hands. It’s the .barcelona domain and it knows no linguistic or geographical frontiers, allowing you to use special characters and helping you to stand out on Google Maps.

Only thirty cities around the world have a gift like this in their sack, the star on top of the tree for innovative projects, local businesses and initiatives firmly rooted in the city, as well as those looking to get into the market in Barcelona.

If you already have a domain other than .barcelona, ask for it as a secondary option and multiply the possibilities of getting seen online. Remember to put it on your Christmas wish list!

For design in Barcelona, Disseny Hub .barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Barcelona is known for its architecture, design and urban planning, among other things. The quintessential dissemination facility is the Museu del Disseny (DHub), a spectacular building which has just celebrated its ninth anniversary.

Its temporary exhibitions will be on display until early January and are devoted to the project Oh!Pera (by the Gran Teatre del Liceu), Catalan and Balearic architecture from recent years and the projects selected as the best of the year by FAD.

The DHub has also prepared various activities for children, linked to the current displays. Little ones can take part in the Christmas workshop ‘El Nadal a la butxaca’ and design a pouch they can keep their favourite gift in.

For those a little older, there’s a chance to create a trail of colour papers and Christmas designs, inspired by the prints by the women designers in the exhibition Here We Are! Women in Design. 1900-Today.

Last but not least, we also recommend you visit the museum’s permanent exhibitions, which are well worth it!

You’ll find full information and more activities at dissenyhub.barcelona. 

Visit to the registration company Nominalia to promote the .barcelona domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

We recently had a meeting with part of the Nominalia team at their offices in Barcelona. We spoke to Manuela Becerra, Director General of Nominalia Spain, France and Portugal, Leticia Rodríguez, Marketing Manager, Carina Peña, Sales Director, and Rebecca Saavedra, Customer Support Manager.

Nominalia is one of the official registration companies for the .barcelona domain. As you know, all domains must be registered through a company accredited by the ICANN and cannot be purchased directly. For more information on registration and resale companies read this article.

For the .barcelona domain we made the most of the occasion to present the new stage we recently embarked on with a new image. This was the perfect moment to work on the formula for developing joint initiatives to raise public awareness and understanding with regard to the city domain. This collaboration could include awareness campaigns, promotional and training action to highlight the unique benefits of choosing the .barcelona domain.

During the meeting we also talked about the positive impact that integrating artificial intelligence can have in the creation of website and the boost this can provide in the promotion of domains such as .barcelona.