Move over, unwanted phone books and out-of-date business cards: There's a new way to disseminate your contact information, and it's called the .tel domain. By purchasing a .tel domain, you can create a digital version of all of the ways to contact you, accessible via an easy-to-remember Web address.
The .tel domains aren't available for average Jills and Janes yet, however. According to TreeHugger, applications are only being accepted from trademarked businesses as of right now; on February 3, advance registrations will be accepted, and on March 23, domains will be available for everyone.
What are the benefits of a .tel domain? Unlike business cards, updating information like titles, phone numbers and companies is a snap. And unlike phone books, your directory listing is easily accessible, even on the go.
The images above were captured from the bare-bones Justin.tel example.
Online Business Cards
.Tel Domains Make Phone Books and Paper Self-Promotion Obsolete
Trend Themes
1. Digital Contact Information - The .tel domain presents an opportunity to innovate by providing an easily accessible centralized digital version of all contact information.
2. Real-time Updating - The real-time updating feature of .tel domains can be used as a platform to innovate towards more efficient and timely exchange of information.
3. Paperless Networking - The emergence of .tel domains suggests an opportunity to disrupt the traditional paper-based networking process and transition to a more sustainable, virtual method.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - The .tel domain can be utilized by the marketing and advertising industry to create more effective and dynamic campaigns by enabling direct access to updated digital contact information.
2. Technology - The development and implementation of .tel domains provides an opportunity for the technology industry to contribute to creating a more seamless, digitally integrated world.
3. Networking - The emergence of .tel domains could disrupt the traditional networking industry, creating an opportunity for innovators to create a more efficient, real-time system of exchanging information and establishing meaningful connections.