Answered: Why Should Lawyers Switch to a .LAW Domain

If you still haven’t registered your own .LAW domain, we highly recommend reading on.

Thirty years ago, iconic generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) like .COM were the only option if you wanted to build a website for your business. Back then, a law firm didn’t have to worry whether their firm’s domain name is still available or if a cybersquatter may try to destroy their reputation. Today, it is much harder to register the perfect .COM domain name without having to pay a fortune for it. That’s when .LAW comes into play.

New gTLDs like .LAW, .ABOGADO, or .LAWYER are domain extensions that were launched starting in early 2014. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) established the idea to expand the internet domain space and open up the domain name system.

New trends are always approached with some caution, and as of today, .COM still reigns the most registered domain extension; it is well-known and trusted. However, according to multiple studies performed by Globe Runner, new gTLDs are just as effective as the old-fashioned .COM domain. After setting up two identical websites with the only difference being the domain extension, the .COM domain was even outperformed by the new gTLD in some areas.

Whether or not to use a new gTLD can only be answered on a case-to-case basis as there are several factors you’ll need to take into account. If you already own a .COM or any other gTLD, it can be quite beneficial to get similar available new gTLDs. As .LAW gains more and more traction, it will become even more valuable, which might happen quicker than we expect. Cybersquatting and typosquatting are becoming more of a threat. Registering your domain name ahead of time also prevents competing companies from buying it.