Here are a few interesting facts that domainers should be aware of.

1) Did you know that .info is already the sixth largest TLD (top level domain) in the world after only becoming available in 2001? Currently, over 400,000 websites call .info home. Of those 400,000 websites, 33 percent or operated by Germans. Thus, the recent news of the adding of German scripts to .info domains.

2) Did you know that you have to wait 60 days after a domain is registered before it can be transferred? This rule really comes into play when you backorder a name through Pool.com or SnapNames.com and the register that actually catches the name has no “push” feature. Giving the buyer your account info (if only one domain is in it) can be the best solution if you don’t intend to backorder anymore names. If you do keep backordering, it may be best to wait two months before trying to sell those names.

3) Based exclusively on Alexa Traffic Rankings, here are the top 3 domain-focused forums (as of 4-03-2003):
1. DNForum.com - 2,355
2. NamePros.com - 3,781
3. DomainState.com - 3,978

4) Based exclusively on the number of members, here are the top 3 domain-focused forums (as of 4-10-2003). Keep in mind that the members at NamePros are combined with those at WebDesignTalk.net (925).
1. NamePros.com - 6,353
2. DNForum.com - 4,966
3. DomainState.com - 2,955

5) With Verisign’s WLS now a good possibility, Pool.com is now taking some important steps to make sure that they do not become extinct. The first step appears to be a domain marketplace where domainers can now sell to other domainers with Pool.com acting as the middleman. Sales take place in one of 3 ways: Auction, Fixed Price, or a Dutch Auction. The Dutch Auction could get a little complicated because according to Pool “two or more customers can have the domain in their shopping carts at the same time. The first customer to process payment will acquire the domain.” That could cause some problems down the road. Also keep in mind that you have to transfer your domain to NameScout.com before you can sell your name on their MarketPlace. Despite this one requirement, Pool might be on to something here. With the marketplace they can remove user to user interaction and can offload some of the domains that they had problems with like a Domain Radar favorite, BlogHosting.com.

6) Like .biz and .info a few months ago, all 3 letter combinations of .us domains are now taken. Unlike .biz and .info, the 3 letter .us rush was the result of many domainers at dnforum.com talking up the last frontier for available 3 letter domains. Doesn’t .ws and .tv have 3 letter domain combinations. Yes, but both one will cost you $500 per year with a two year minimum. Thus, the time for buying 3 letter domains for $5 to $10 at a registrar has now ended.

7) Although .coms were once free many years ago, domain names are hardly ever free these days. However, .info is having money long promotion in September where people can register up to 25 .info domains at selected registrars for free! This has led to some pretty worthless domains being registered in a frenzy so it will be interesting to see how this promotion affects .info for the future.