.mobi is it worth it?

Question

Where is .mobi headed? Will the mobile devices use proprietary browsers that simplify a .com site or are they going to use browsers on a .mobi basis? I have a feeling it will be a flop... not sure though.

Thanks

Answer 1

My feeling is that smart phone browsers are getting more and more like desktop browsers, so the whole concept of .mobi is flawed from the start. Plus, a lot of sites can now detect that you're using an inferior browser and redirect you automatically to a less functional version of their web site - no special domains required.

If you're programming a web site, wouldn't it be simpler just to have an internal redirection for mobile phone browsers than to have to maintain a whole different domain? Especially if you can programattically derive the mobile version from the non-mobile version, either on the fly or whenever you delivery content?

Answer 2

.Mobi is worthwhile if you do not own or cannot afford to buy a your ideal .com domain. You can get massively more bang for your buck with a mobi domain. Let's say you need a site to promote your app, you can often just register the exact name as a mobi domain for registration price or a low price if its already taken. Meanwhile typically the .com will almost certainly be taken already and the current owner may think this domain is worth a ridiculous amount of money. Then, if you absolutely want the .com, you end up going for another less optimal .com domain.

My view is, that the exact and memorable, cheap mobi domain, is better, than the expensive or non-exact .com domain.

If you already have your domain, then you don't really need a .mobi.