About a week ago I bought a .ME domain name which just happens to be my first purchase in the .ME domain extension. While the domain was not my first choice for what I wanted I bought this particular .ME domain name for same reason most people buy a domain name nowadays, it was available. 🙂
Even though a lot of web entrepreneurs are familiar with the .ME domain name I know a lot of people that read and follow my website might not be. I did write about the .ME registry accepting application for premium domains awhile ago.
Since this is my first .ME domain name I thought this would be a good time to do a quick write-up and explanation of the .ME domain extension.
What is a .ME Domain Name?
The .ME domain extension is what is known as a country code top level domain (ccTLD) for the the European country of Montenegro. Many ccTLDs that used to be restricted for use within only a certain country, like .ME for Montenegro, have been opened up for registration to general public. That means you or I can register the domain name.
In terms of search engine optimization (SEO) there is no disadvantage to using some ccTLDs nowadays. Google considers many ccTLDs like .ME good for global and generic use. In addition to other domain extensions like .IO, which Google changed their mind about.
Where is Montenegro? What goes on There?
Like I said, Eastern Europe. Look at a map.
The most famous local that has “taken place” in Montenegro is James Bond playing Texas Hold'em Poker against Le Chifre in the movie Casino Royale. (In the original story Bond plays Baccarat.) Of course no part of the movie was actually filmed in Montenegro to my understanding.
As to what else goes on in Montenegro I unfortunately do no know. Hopefully there is a lot of high stakes gambling and beautiful women. Maybe I should go find out!
What are you going to do with a .ME Domain Name
It is not a domain name I plan to build a website on and I honestly do not think it has any resale value. You are welcome to offer me a million dollars for it. I will gladly accept.
If you don't offer me any money for it my plan is to use this domain as a URL shortener most likely for this website in addition to my other web properties. While there are tons of URL shortening services there are many advantages to using your own domain name to shorten your URLs. A lot of free URL shortener services allow anyone to pull statistics on your click through rates for those shortened URLs. Not good if you don't want your competition to know this information. It also enables you to brand all your URLs even if they are shortened. In addition it gives you greater control if you take down an article and you can have shortened URLs be even shorter since you are the only person using the domain. Also, it's just plain fun and cool.
Can you Enable Privacy on a .ME Domain Name?
Yes. I have whois privacy enabled on this .ME domain I bought through NameCheap. What is interesting is most ccTLDs domain extensions do not allow for domain privacy but it seems with .ME they do.
How much does it cost to register a .ME domain name?
It's not crazy expensive but you are paying more each year since there are not as many registrations of the domain as more popular extensions. Average pricing runs about $15-$17 dollars but this will vary depending the domain registrar you use.
Since there is a higher yearly cost for renewal I wouldn't register a .ME domain name and not do anything with it. You should have a plan to use it either as URL shortener, like I will, or develop into something awesome.
Do you like .ME?
I hope you do and you like my blog.
Anyway, this is what I now about .ME domain names and the extension. If you have anything to add or opinions about .ME, (get it?) feel free to leave a comment below.