Frequently Asked Questions

What is .mobi?

You are more than likely familiar with .com, .net, .org, .gov, etc. Now .mobi has been recently introduced as a new Top Level Domain (TLD). The .mobi domain is dedicated specifically to delivering Internet websites and content to cell phones and other mobile devices.

Who started .mobi?

In 2000, Nokia first started the idea and invited Microsoft and Vodafone to become part of the .mobi initiative. There were ten companies joined into the Dot Mobi Consortium, and by 2005 ICANN had approved the .mobi domain as a new TLD. In 2006, mTLD appeared out of Dublin, Ireland. Some of the companies who back mTLD are Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, Vodafone, Visa, T-Mobile and more.

When were .mobi names available for purchase?

The initial availability for registration holders began in June 2006. There was a pre-registration during the Landrush period and now general registration is open to the general public by ICANN-approved registrars.

What names are available?

In the beginning of the pre-registration there were groups of names that were Reserved and Premium Names. These names may never be released for sale or transfer. I.E. Names such as country names or one- and two-digit names.

There have been auctions for .mobi names that have soared as high as $200,000. And, the names have been purchased in bulk by many individuals and companies in anticipation of the .mobi boom.

Why do I need a .mobi?

.mobi is meeting a rapidly growing demand for the increasing technology of mobile devices and mobile users. There are now over 200 million cell phones in use in the United States alone, and the purchase of mobile devices is 4:1 when compared to the purchase of personal computers. Most websites are not optimized for mobile browsing, and the .mobi sites are now being standardized to provide a consistent viewing experience for mobile users.

What advantage does the .mobi site have?

Since the .mobi sites are required to be standardized with the way in which they are viewed on phones and other mobile devices, the .mobi TLD serves to let the users know that the sites will be viewable by the majority of cell phone and mobile device users. Companies who take advantage of .mobi designs can eliminate unnecessary scrolling, images and other page content that is prevalent on standard websites. Developing a site specifically for cell phones and other mobile devices makes for a much more satisfying end user experience.

How do I register a .mobi domain?

You can register your .mobi domain at almost any domain registrar company website.

How much does a .mobi cost?

The .mobi domain will cost you anywhere from $8(US) to as high as $40(US). You will want to shop for the best registrar and find one that is not charging more than necessary.

How do I check for available .mobi domains?

When registering your domain name, the registrar service will check the availability for you.

Are there any requirements for designing a .mobi site?

Yes! The .mobi sites are specifically developed with optimization guidelines and they must be followed. You will find the guidelines at dev.mobi.

Are there any templates I can download for my .mobi website?

Yes there are, you can visit www.dotmobibiz.com. There is also a .mobi development website from mTLD at dev.mobi. and at site.mobi.

How do I get someone to know about my dotMobi site?

One of the reasons that we created the SearchingMobi Engine is we found that, although there are many domains registered (over 600,000), there is still a very small percentage (10,000 at the time of this publishing) of .mobi sites actually developed. The sites that are live are scattered in various places online. There are several directories; however, there isn't an actual one-stop source for finding and promoting the .mobi sites... until NOW!

Dot Mobi site owners and our customers will be listed free on our directory and will also have the capability to search specifically for Dot Mobi sites on the search engine.

You will also have direct links to Dot Mobi services including SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and website marketing.