1&1 sees rapid growth in .ORG domain registrations

1&1 Internet Inc., the world’s largest web host by known servers, today revealed that it has seen impressive growth in the number of .ORG domain names registered by its customers worldwide.  The number of 1&1 registered .ORG domains increased by over 30 percent over the past 12 months, suggesting an increase in web activity within the non-profit and charity sectors.  With the availability of .ORG domains for only $6.99 per year -including a 5 page website, search engine submission and private registration- it has never been easier or more affordable to take a good cause to the web. 1&1 joins the .ORG Public Interest Registry (PIR) and its ‘World Voices’ campaign in recognizing the remarkable achievements of the .ORG community. 

While web adoption is most often analyzed in terms of small businesses and personal publishing activity, 1&1 reveals evidence to show that small scale non-profit and social activism websites are making impressive gains on the Internet.  Between December of 2006, and December of 2007, the world’s largest web host registered over 70,000 .ORG domains, seeing a unique and impressive increase of 31 percent. 

The availability of affordable, ‘out of the box’ web solutions has no doubt helped to accelerate the progress of non-profit, charity and social activism websites. In 2008, it can take as little as 30 minutes and a few clicks ‘to give a voice’ to a cause or activity, with the average user today having tools at their fingertips previously reserved to large organizations. For example, a $6.99 per year .ORG domain purchased from 1&1 includes a 5 page WebsiteBuilder website, custom email addresses and search engine submission –meaning a quality web presence for only a few dollars. 

An example of an effective 1&1 registered .ORG website is the local New Jersey firefighter’s association website, www.NJBCFA.org. The website provides a community with information and increased support for the firefighters.  Their .ORG domain gives the organization an internationally recognized emblem of legitimacy and non-profit status. Ray DiPatri of the N.J.B.C.F.A comments, “Our website has been vital for building support, sharing information and recruiting volunteers. This Firefighter Association has been meeting for over 90 years and our website will help recruit new and younger members. The .ORG domain name is an extension of our non-profit identity and conveys the spirit of volunteerism: doing without financial reward.”  The N.J.B.C.F.A. website is a good example of how the .ORG community has used the web to connect a community and support a good cause.

Oliver Mauss, CEO 1&1 Internet Inc., said, “While we have seen pleasing growth in all domain registrations worldwide, perhaps the most satisfying is the huge rise in .ORGs over the past year.  Out of 1&1’s 10 million domains, some of the most innovative and productive websites are to be found in the .ORG community.  Just as the Internet was intended, the web can be an amazing means for smaller groups to make a difference, and 1&1 will continue to work hard to help the non-profit sector use the Internet to maximum effect.”

Alexa Raad, CEO Public Interest Registry, added, “The contributions of the .ORG community in recent years are amazing. They have not only helped to galvanize interest in various causes, but by adopting trends such as social networking, have given individuals unprecedented means to inspire, educate, collaborate,  and ultimately change the world as we know it.”

The .ORG domain is a highly effective web identity because it transcends geographical boundaries and socio-political labels. .ORG is clearly a powerful tool in attracting support and participation for non-profit initiatives. The growth of 1&1 .ORG registrations is significant in demonstrating a surge in the number of people and causes that are today empowered by the web. The availability of .ORG is representative of the original concept of the Internet – egalitarian and intended for honorable enterprises.   

Raad added, “The 'World Voices' Campaign is designed to highlight the contributions of the .ORG community as well as position .ORG, The Public Interest Registry, as a passionate steward of the namespace and a fierce advocate for the rights of its community.”

For more information on 1&1 Internet Inc. visit the website at www.1and1.com

About 1&1 Internet Inc.:
1&1 Internet Inc. is a subsidiary of United Internet, a profitable public company with a market cap of $4 billion. 1&1 was founded in 1988 and hosts more than 10 million domain names, while more than 47,000 servers run in the company’s five state-of-the-art data centers. 1&1’s global community is over 7 million customer contracts strong. The company’s U.S. headquarters is located in Chesterbrook, PA. For more information, please contact the company at www.1and1.com or 1-877-461-2631.