Unlocking American Digital Markets: The Strategic Advantage of .it.com for Italian Businesses

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Joe Alagna

Joe Alagna, [11/28/2024 1:13 PM]

I work for it.com Domains Ltd. and want to share why I believe this product is important for Italian business.

In today’s global digital landscape, securing your brand’s online presence across different markets is crucial for Italian businesses aiming to extend their reach into the United States. Understanding the nuances of domain name perceptions and preferences can be a game-changer. While .it, Italy’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), is well-recognized and respected domestically and in Europe, the scenario changes when tapping into the American market. Here, the .com extension reigns supreme, often leading to missed opportunities for Italian businesses that haven’t adapted their digital strategy accordingly.

For Italian businesses looking to penetrate the American market or solidify their global presence, registering a .it.com domain is not just an option—it’s a strategic necessity.
Joe Alagna, Chief Strategy Officer, it.com Domains Ltd.

Why .it.com?

American internet users overwhelmingly prefer .com domains, a trend rooted in the domain’s ubiquity and perceived trustworthiness. This preference can lead to a unique challenge for businesses operating under a .it domain: American customers might mistakenly append .com to the end of a .it domain, resulting in a non-existent or incorrect address. For example, if a potential customer remembers your website as “example.it” but types in “example.it.com” out of habit, they could end up on an unrelated site or receive an error message.

Missed Connections and Missed Revenue

The consequences of such misunderstandings are not just lost web traffic; they translate directly into missed business opportunities. When American users fail to reach your Italian website due to domain confusion, the direct fallout is a potential loss in sales, reduced brand reach, and diminished online authority in the American market.

A Simple Solution

Registering a .it.com domain is a straightforward and effective solution. This strategy ensures that American customers who mistakenly add .com to your .it domain still land on your intended website. This not only safeguards your brand but also captures the valuable traffic that otherwise would have been lost. Moreover, having a .it.com domain reinforces your brand’s identity and commitment to catering to the American audience, enhancing trust and recognition.

Enhancing Marketing and SEO Efforts

The dual-domain approach (owning both .it and .it.com) also strengthens your marketing strategies. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts can be tailored more effectively when you can differentiate content and keywords for an American audience on the .it.com site while maintaining a localized focus on the .it website for European users. This segmentation can lead to improved search engine rankings in both regions, optimizing your visibility and increasing your digital footprint.

Consistency Across Platforms

With the rise of digital marketing and social media, consistent branding across platforms is more important than ever. Owning the .it.com version of your domain ensures consistency, making it easier for customers to find and recognize your brand across various platforms and promotional materials. This consistency helps in building a strong, unified brand image that resonates with both American and European audiences.

Long-Term Strategic Edge

Embracing a .it.com domain prepares your business for long-term success in the U.S. market by establishing a foothold that acknowledges and adapts to local consumer behavior. This proactive approach not only secures your current customer base but also opens doors to new segments of the American market, ultimately contributing to your business’s growth and international expansion.

Easy Setup, Lasting Benefits

Setting up a .it.com domain is as straightforward as registering any other domain, and the benefits are lasting. You can redirect the .it.com traffic to your primary .it website or develop a dedicated U.S.-focused site to ensure no customer is left behind. This dual-domain strategy is a cost-effective way to maximize your reach and influence in key markets without the need for extensive overhauls or rebranding. The it.com domain can be registered at over 40 registrars, including Godaddy, Porkbun, Sav, Dynadot, CentralNic Reseller, and more. European registrars include, Domgate, Realtime Registrar, Dotnice, HostingSolutions, Site.pro, and more. For a complete list, visit https://get.it.com/for-registrars.

Conclusion

For Italian businesses looking to penetrate the American market or solidify their global presence, registering a .it.com domain is not just an option—it’s a strategic necessity. It bridges the gap between different digital cultures, ensuring that your brand not only reaches but also resonates with American consumers. By securing a .it.com domain, you capture all possible traffic and prevent competitors from capitalizing on potential misunderstandings. Embrace the .it.com strategy to fully leverage the digital opportunities across the Atlantic, turning navigational errors into profitable engagements.

Sbloccare i Mercati Digitali Americani: Il Vantaggio Strategico di .it.com per le Imprese Italiane

Lavoro per it.com Domains Ltd. e desidero condividere perché credo che questo prodotto sia importante per le imprese italiane.

Nel panorama digitale globale di oggi, garantire la presenza online del proprio marchio in diversi mercati è fondamentale per le aziende italiane che mirano a espandersi negli Stati Uniti. Comprendere le sfumature delle percezioni e delle preferenze legate ai nomi di dominio può fare la differenza. Mentre il .it, il dominio di primo livello nazionale (ccTLD) dell’Italia, è ben riconosciuto e rispettato a livello nazionale e in Europa, la situazione cambia quando si guarda al mercato americano. Qui, l’estensione .com domina, portando spesso a opportunità mancate per le imprese italiane che non hanno adeguato la propria strategia digitale.

Perché .it.com?

Gli utenti internet americani preferiscono in modo schiacciante i domini .com, una tendenza radicata nella diffusione e affidabilità percepita di questo dominio. Questa preferenza può rappresentare una sfida unica per le aziende che operano con un dominio .it: i clienti americani potrebbero aggiungere erroneamente .com alla fine di un dominio .it, portandoli a un indirizzo inesistente o errato. Ad esempio, se un cliente potenziale ricorda il tuo sito come “esempio.it” ma digita “esempio.it.com” per abitudine, potrebbe finire su un sito non correlato o ricevere un messaggio di errore.

Connessioni mancate e ricavi persi

Le conseguenze di tali fraintendimenti non si limitano al traffico web perso; si traducono direttamente in opportunità di business mancate. Quando gli utenti americani non riescono a raggiungere il tuo sito italiano a causa della confusione sul dominio, il risultato diretto è una perdita potenziale di vendite, una ridotta visibilità del marchio e una diminuzione dell’autorità online nel mercato americano.

Una soluzione semplice

Registrare un dominio .it.com è una soluzione semplice ed efficace. Questa strategia garantisce che i clienti americani che aggiungono per errore .com al tuo dominio .it arrivino comunque al tuo sito. Questo non solo protegge il tuo marchio, ma cattura anche il traffico prezioso che altrimenti sarebbe andato perso. Inoltre, avere un dominio .it.com rafforza l’identità del tuo marchio e il tuo impegno verso il pubblico americano, migliorando fiducia e riconoscibilità.

Rafforzare il marketing e la SEO

L’approccio del doppio dominio (possedere sia .it che .it.com) rafforza anche le tue strategie di marketing. Gli sforzi di SEO (Search Engine Optimization) possono essere ottimizzati in modo più efficace differenziando contenuti e parole chiave per un pubblico americano sul sito .it.com, mantenendo al contempo un focus localizzato sul sito .it per gli utenti europei. Questa segmentazione può migliorare il posizionamento nei motori di ricerca in entrambe le regioni, ottimizzando la visibilità e aumentando la tua presenza digitale.

Coerenza tra le piattaforme

Con l’aumento del marketing digitale e dei social media, una coerenza di branding tra le piattaforme è più importante che mai. Possedere la versione .it.com del tuo dominio assicura coerenza, rendendo più facile per i clienti trovare e riconoscere il tuo marchio su varie piattaforme e materiali promozionali. Questa coerenza aiuta a costruire un’immagine forte e unificata del marchio che risuona sia con il pubblico americano che europeo.

Vantaggio strategico a lungo termine

Adottare un dominio .it.com prepara la tua azienda al successo a lungo termine nel mercato statunitense, stabilendo una presenza che riconosce e si adatta al comportamento dei consumatori locali. Questo approccio proattivo non solo protegge la tua base di clienti attuale, ma apre anche le porte a nuovi segmenti del mercato americano, contribuendo alla crescita e all’espansione internazionale della tua attività.

Configurazione semplice, vantaggi duraturi

Impostare un dominio .it.com è semplice quanto registrare qualsiasi altro dominio, e i benefici sono duraturi. Puoi reindirizzare il traffico del .it.com al tuo sito principale .it o sviluppare un sito dedicato al mercato statunitense per assicurarti che nessun cliente venga perso. Questa strategia a doppio dominio è un modo economico per massimizzare la tua portata e influenza nei mercati chiave senza necessità di grandi cambiamenti o rebranding. Il dominio .it.com può essere registrato presso oltre 40 registrar, tra cui GoDaddy, Porkbun, Sav, Dynadot, CentralNic Reseller e altri. I registrar europei includono Domgate, Realtime Registrar, Dotnice, HostingSolutions, Site.pro, InterNetX, e altri. Per un elenco completo, visita https://get.it.com/for-registrars.

Conclusione

Per le imprese italiane che desiderano penetrare nel mercato americano o consolidare la loro presenza globale, registrare un dominio .it.com non è solo un’opzione: è una necessità strategica. Colma il divario tra le diverse culture digitali, assicurando che il tuo marchio non solo raggiunga, ma risuoni con i consumatori americani. Garantendo un dominio .it.com, catturi tutto il traffico possibile e impedisci ai concorrenti di trarre vantaggio da eventuali incomprensioni. Adotta la strategia .it.com per sfruttare appieno le opportunità digitali oltreoceano, trasformando gli errori di navigazione in coinvolgimenti profittevoli.

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Found a Cool Domain Industry Relic

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Joe Alagna

I was doing some winter and year-end cleanup this weekend and ran across a lovely relic from the past: the show prospectus from Targeted Traffic in 2007. Most people don’t know that, besides a mention of domain names from my old manager at AT&T, Rick Schwartz gave me my first education in domain names. Targeted Traffic events were key to building my network in the early days of domains. My most enduring friendships began through those events. Many of the people profiled in this brochure have gone on to fantastic industry greatness and success.

TRAFFIC 2007 was not the first conference held by Rick Schwartz and Howard Neu. There were several before then, primarily held in Florida. But this was a particular benchmark for taking the show global, New York City!

Even though I’m cleaning up, I could not just throw this away without scanning and sharing it first. I hope you enjoy seeing it. Click below to look through the pdf.

Targeted Traffic 2007 Program

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Focus and Bike Riding in the Cold

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Joe Alagna

Have you ever had that “aha!” moment while pedaling away? That’s me, pretty much every time I hop on my bike. So, here’s a nugget of wisdom: treat riding your bike like driving a car. Seriously, it deserves that level of focus. Don’t get me wrong, I used to be that guy jamming out to tunes while cruising—just one earbud in, promise! It lets me keep one ear on the pulse of the world, though some would argue you might miss the chirp of danger (or just an angry squirrel).

Now, let’s rewind to a little lesson life threw at me a few years back. Picture this: me, feeling all spiritual, decided to close my eyes and pray while biking. Bad idea. I ended up taking a divine detour straight into a curb and performed an unplanned acrobatic dismount. Ouch! The takeaway? Keep your eyes peeled and prayers in your heart, or you’ll be praying for no more surprise curbs!

Moving on to something a bit chill—literally. Ever snickered at folks with masks on their bikes during winter? Guilty as charged. But turns out, they were onto something. Cold air can be a real lung-buster. Recently, I wised up and strapped on a bandana. Not only did it keep the frostbite off my mug, but it also tucked my chest in a cozy wrap. Big difference! Last time I braved the cold without it, my lungs threw in the towel early, and I had to cut my ride short.

So, here’s the scoop—no more judging mask-wearing winter riders from me. And yes, despite the frosty adventure, I nailed 10 miles today. Stay safe, stay warm, and remember—bike riding is no less than driving. Keep those eyes wide open and those masks snug when the mercury dips!

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Bicycling and Safety

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Joe Alagna

I’ve owned a bicycle since 2012, and I consider myself a bicyclist. That doesn’t mean I’m always riding my bike but I always do aspire to it. Now, I’m at a place where I need to ride my bike regularly for my health. My doctor says to get about three to four hours of strenuous exercise per week. I’d like to do this by riding three or four days and going to the gym around the same amount. This should give me a balanced set of exercises and help me to get into better shape.

Bicycle Rider. This is not me but my bike is the same color (white) :-)
This is not me but my bike looks just like this and is the same color!

That’s a prelude. The purpose of this post is to start writing about my bicycling experiences. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and actually set up a category on my blog for this purpose. Bicycle riding offers a lot of benefits. It’s low-impact and definitely offers a way to burn calories. I’ve lost weight, as much as five pounds, in single bike riding days. I know that may not sound healthy, but I still can’t think of a faster way to shed a few pounds than a 30 or 40-mile ride.

On the other hand, bike riding can be very dangerous. A single accident can reverse years of health benefits. So careful consideration of the caveats of bike riding is a really important exercise. I’ve long wished to catalog all of the possible accidents and teach others how to consider them as they ride, a catalog per se of things to watch out for while bike riding. I want to make safety the utmost consideration as I ride. Many of these items are obvious, but there are a lot more that are not so obvious. These are the ones that I want to highlight in my “Bicycling List of Caveats.” I’m going to begin the list here:

  • Sand and Dust on the Road: If you have a road bike with thin tires, this is an easy way to scrape up your knees and elbows. This is especially important to watch for if you are riding near the beach. But sand, dirt, and dust can accumulate on park roads and anywhere near nature. I’ve fallen due to it in both types of places, both times adding some scrapes and scars to my elbows and knees. Be especially thoughtful of this as you go around a curve. That’s where you are most susceptible.
  • Car Doors Opening on the Side of the Road: If I’m riding on a road where cars are parked (parallel), I always watch inside any cars parked along the road. Look for people in the driver’s seat that can open the door. Slow down or give yourself enough room to maneuver away from the door in the case of them opening the door. This can be an especially damaging accident because riders are often going quite fast and an opening car door is a sharp and instant stopper. At the same time, don’t go out too far into the road to avoid car doors. You might find yourself the object of a car or driver who is distracted. More about this in the next item…
  • Watch Out for Cars Behind You: There are really two parts to this point. First, we need to ride our bikes on the right (assuming you are in the United States). You should be going along with the traffic. Second, get a suitable rear-view device. Each of us has our own preferred method. Some people like mirrors built into their helmets. My favorite method is the handlebar mirror, especially one on the left handlebar because it allows you to see behind you even while you’re head is looking down at the road in front of you.  
  • You never know if a driver behind you is not paying attention, so you have to be diligent and be in the habit of looking in that mirror. Don’t do it so much that you lose sight of what is in front of you, but do it enough to be aware. I don’t know where I heard this but I love the saying that we need to keep our head on a swivel, looking forward, back, and side to side rapidly. This is the surest way to see all that is going on around you.
  • Then there is the sad fact that some people just don’t like, understand, or appreciate bike riders. They think that we should ride on sidewalks and don’t belong on the roads. That’s not true, but it drives their behavior. They often “buzz” bike riders, getting too close to them or harassing them. Don’t get involved in any road rage. Be a good ambassador as related to bike riding behavior. Do your best to stay away from them. The worst of these can be young kids who come so close to you as you ride on the side of the road that they almost hit you. Just be aware and be alert.

Today, I’m out of time. But I’ll keep adding to this list.

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