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Everything You Need to Know About the .LI Domain
As the owner of a small company, you need to take every opportunity to stand out from the crowd. This naturally extends to your website's domain name, as it's practically the first thing a potential visitor may see when looking you up.
Of course, you might be trying to use the .org or .com domains, but you'll quickly find them oversaturated and lacking solid options (unless it's the exact niche word or phrase that your company uses). But there are plenty of other domain extensions out there that allow you some clever wordplay. One of those is the .li domain. Read on to learn more about it.
Table of Contents
1. What Is the .li Domain?
The .li domain is a country-code top-level domain (or ccTLD) for the small European country of Liechtenstein. This small country has a population of about 40,000, but the domain's online presence can stretch far beyond that. The domain used to be managed by the Swiss domain administrator SWITCH, but it was delegated to private registrars back in 2013.
As with many European country-code domains, this domain is open to registration by anyone, making it extremely accessible for individuals and companies alike to nab. Furthermore, with roughly 70,000 domain names registered and very little growth over the past few years, according to NIC Liechtenstein, you'll likely have a decent pick of names to choose from.
2. Who Uses .li Domains
Most obviously, the domain is primarily used by companies and individuals in Liechtenstein, as it's their country code. However, the "li" part opens a few interesting uses beyond that.
2.1 Regional Companies
Some Swiss companies use "li" as a diminutive ending of the German "lein," opening this domain alongside their native one to make it more convenient or prevent cybersquatting. The same concept applies to other countries in the region like Germany.
2.2 Word Hacks
While "li" isn't a suffix in the English language, it can be looked at as a homophone of the suffix "-ly." This opens up some potential for domain hacking by using the domain extension instead of the suffix. For example, you can have "friend.li," "simp.li," or "final.li," among other options. Due to the sheer variance of adverbs, you can play around with ones that define your brand or service.
2.3 Long Island Companies
Some Long Island companies have taken to using the .li domain suffix for themselves (since the state doesn't have a country-level domain other than the .us). This is a perfect showcase of one geographically-bound domain being used in an entirely different region because the abbreviations match.
2.4 Chinese Personal Portfolios
Since Li is the second most common surname in the world, the .li domain can also be used creatively as a part of a personal portfolio. However, you might struggle to find the appropriate first name to match, so you'll need to plan accordingly.
2.5 Lithium Extraction and Processing
"Li" is also the symbol for Lithium, which has quickly become one of the most sought-after metals due to its use in rechargeable batteries. This has led to some companies adopting the .li domain as a way to clearly showcase their connection to the industry.
2.6 Tech Startups
The .li domain is also used among technology companies and innovative startups looking for short, modern domain names. The professional reputation of Liechtenstein as a stable, technologically advanced country adds additional credibility, even if the connection is completely arbitrary and manufactured.
3. Why Choose a .li Domain?
The .li domain has several similarities with many other country-code TLDs, making it a solid alternative when trying to come up with a distinguishable domain name.
Being a country-level TLD with only two characters, it opens up avenues for a short and sweet website that's easy to remember. This can be valuable on mobile devices, where brevity has become a must for browsing. Due to the relatively small number of registered domains, .li is also much less populated than the generic extensions .com or .org, making it far more likely that you'll find a good-sounding name.
Pricing-wise, a .li domain isn't the cheapest out there, but you'll usually be able to register it for under $20 per year, making it an affordable and efficient investment. Furthermore, with registration open to anyone, it's a hassle-free way of getting a domain name.
4. How to Register a .li Domain
The registration process for .li domains is straightforward and accessible to anyone worldwide.
1Go to the Register.Domains page for .li domains.
2Search for your desired domain name in the search bar and check its availability. Given the extension's growing popularity but relatively small user base, many short and memorable names are still available.
3Select your registration period, which starts at one year. The costs for a .li domain vary depending on the domain, but typically start at under $20 per year.
4Complete the registration process by providing your contact information and payment details. Most registrars offer additional services like privacy protection, SSL certificates, and email forwarding.
5Configure your DNS settings and choose a hosting solution that meets your needs, then build and launch your website. Once you apply, it only takes a few days for you to get a registered domain name back.
5. Registration Requirements
There are no restrictions put on the .li domain (apart from the actual domain needing to be longer than three characters unless it's a government entity). Anyone can register one regardless of location or business type.
6. Get a Fresh Domain Today
As you can see, the .li domain world is ripe for the taking, so don't miss out on the opportunity to snag a fresh and unique domain name for your company to stand out. Register your domain today with Register.Domains before the best creative names get snapped up.
By Steven White
