Registering a .JE or .GG domain? – The pros and cons

I work with a lot of Jersey businesses taking their first steps on the web.  For a new website, the domain name is still a very important marketing consideration.  A question that often pops up, is should I use a local .JE domain name?

In this short blog post, I take a look at the pros and cons of registering a domain with a Jersey or Guernsey suffix.

* Response from channelisles.net – 25th June 2012

The following was sent by Nigel Roberts, Director at ChannelIsles.net (the CI registrar) on 25th June 2012:

We’ve only just seen this article, but its a good overview and comes across as well-balanced. I’d have posted the below in the comments, but its too long.

There’s a couple of additional things that are worth mentioning Firstly, I have been assured by Google at a senior level that the primary drawback you mention at

(1) is not the case —  and if it ever was it’s been fixed some time back :-).  I happened to be in a meeting with them today when I saw this article — happy coincidence). They will check up — and will welcome any input in this regard (forward via me).

(2) is absolutely true. As a small registry, principally serving a small community the CI Registry does not have the economies of scale of a Nominet or Verisign.  But GBP 49.00 (that;s the direct price– registrars are cheaper) is not a lot for a serious e-commerce business, and as advantage (1) states this gets you premium names which are long unavailable in .COIM.  And it’s that pricing model that has as a fortunate accident resulted in our local domains not being overrun by domainers, the way .UK has been.

(3) is not the case, and has not been for some time. Since the automation of the registry, fully accreditted registrars can register your GG or JE name in real time, i.e. instaneously.

(4) is not the case either for registrar-managed domains which can be done in real time.

(5) is simply the inverse of advantage (1) of course.

If you want to pretend to be a US business, .COM is your domain of choice. Otherwise if you are proud to show your local Guernsey or Jersey connection, the choice is obvious.

Incidentally, there is one disadvantage you didn’t mention. If you are a pan-Island business — i.e. you operate in both Bailiwicks– then you must register twice or use a different domain (e.g. itex.gg and itex.je). Or you have to do something like the local TV company whose domain is registered in a South Pacific Island’s country code!!!

I always welcome input from anyone and discussions on how we can improve things. See www.channelisles.net for contact details