General Availability Has Arrive!
.ART is now available to the general public.
Visit store.art to register your domain name.
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
Pricing
What is the price of a typical (standard) .ART domain on store.art
1st-year registration fee: $299
Annual renewal fee: $18.99
VAT may be applicable in addition depending on where you are located and if you are a business etc.
What is the reason behind the pricing of .ART domains?
Our Preferred Access Period is an exclusive period which provides for the opportunity to
the members of the art world to be the very first to choose and register their ideal domain
names. Once purchased during this period, you will be able to renew your .ART domain at
the usual domain rates in the following years.
The domain I want is priced higher than $299. Why?
Because the domain you selected is a premium name. Premium names are generic words
or word combinations that are related to the artistic industry or in general, and carry a
premium value. The popularity of the generic term, its length, and memorability all factor
into the pricing. We have done a big data analysis of over 150 million word forms
considering several parameters including:
*Search popularity
*Length
*Prior sales
*Current asking price
*Frequency of selection in other domain zones
*Linguistic strength of association to arts and culture
This big data algorithm assists us in preparing our premium names’ list and pricing logic
What is the renewal rate of a premium domain name on store.art?
Annual renewal fee: $49.99
Why are there so many price variations between different domains?
.ART domains are priced based on a relatively sophisticated set of algortihms, taking into
account the length of the domain, its popularity in other domain zones, its relevance to the
word “art”, and its usage on the internet. We believe that these criteria lead to a more
accurate pricing of .ART domains.
Availability
I searched for a domain name but the search result returned ‘unavailable’ /
‘taken’ / ‘registered’. Why?
There may be a few reasons why it shows as unavailable: It may have been registered, so
we suggest that search for the domain on whois.nic.art
If the domain is unregistered, this probably means we may have reserved this domain.
ICANN prohibits us from releasing certain domain names for sale. This prohibition includes
some common words and some two-character domain names. In addition, we are holding
back certain high-value domains for the moment.
A lot of names I search for are either unavailable or high priced. Can you
please explain?
On the .ART domain zone, there are several millions of word and number combinations
available for registration. We have reserved a number of domain names for various
reasons, such as ICANN requirements or future use.
Different registrars indicate different availability on a single domain, where
one shows it as available and the other unavailable. Why is that?
It is probably because the domain you searched for is a premium name. Some registrars
choose not to offer premium names to their customers. It is typically a business decision on
their side. This means though that when you search a premium name on that registrar’s
website, it returns a result to say it is unavailable, whereas it actually shows as available with
a different registrar.
In that case, which registrars offer the biggest choice of .ART domains?
Store.art offers the widest availability of .ART domains, and so do a few select domain
registrars in the market.
What domain names should I register?
It is up to you but if one of your choices is unavailable, you may want to try alternative
words or abbreviations to find the right choice for you.
During the Preferred Access Period, do I apply for a domain and wait until
May or register it immediately?
Domain names will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. As soon as you have
successfully completed the registration process, the domain will be yours.
Eligibility | Customer Journey | Tokens
What is Preferred Access Period?
It is an exclusive domain registration phase running from 2 pm on 8 February to 1:59 pm
on 9 May 2017. During this period, only established members of the art world are eligible
to register .ART domains.
What do you mean by the “established members of the art world”?
Individuals, businesses and organisations who identify themselves with the artistic and
creative fields globally.
What is an invitation token?
It is a unique token that allows eligible art world members to register .ART domains during
Preferred Access Period. It is an alpha-numeric token made up of 32 characters and looks
something like this:
0eoVKU1PUGYSZzVhTPJaeISRURPQ4s9bJ5IpMEswounHdShC
What is the verification form?
It is a form that allows an interested party to identify themselves as part of the art world by
providing a few essential details. Once the form is correctly completed and submitted, our
system will capture the information and issue an invitation token.
My art category is not listed on the verification form. Does it mean I am
ineligible?
No, it does not. Please choose “other” in the dropdown menu where indicated and
complete the field shown.
How can I use the invitation token to register a .ART domain?
If you have received an invitation token from us or our partners, simply enter it when
prompted store.art.
If you do not have an invitation token, you will have the opportunity to complete the
verification form and obtain the token under the Requirements section of the registration
process on store.art. When your request has been accepted and the token issued, the token
will be auto-filled in the appropriate box and will be sent to you via email as well.
How do you verify that the information submitted via the verification form is
accurate?
We review a statistical sample of the data as well as rely on community input for any
potential abusive behaviour
It seems to me that anyone who completes the verification form gets an
invitation token. How do you actually monitor who is in and who is out?
Our aim is to facilitate that the world’s artistic and creative minds find a suitable space for
themselves in the .ART community. We therefore ask that registrants self-certify that they
meet the eligibility criteria by telling us who they are and what their role in the art world is.
How many .ART domains can I register by using one invitation token?
There is no limit.
How long is the invitation token valid for?
It is valid through to 1:59 pm on 9 May 2017, but it is advisable that you register your
preferred domain sooner than later.
What if I used my invitation token but want to register additional domains?
You can simply follow the domain registration process on store.art and complete the
verification form. If you mention in the message part that you purchased a .ART domain
previously, it will allow us to identify your eligibility much quicker
I’m pastry chef from France. I think that my line of work is creative and what
I create on a daily basis is a piece of art. Am I eligible during February-May
phase?
Each person’s identification with the arts is unique and personal. We have created the
validation system to enable the art world to express their connection to the artistic and
creative fields. By completing the verification form, you will get the chance to claim your
spot in the .ART domain zone.
Registrar choices
Why does my registrar say .ART doesn’t exist / is unavailable?
It is likely because they are not technically ready to sell .ART domains just yet.
I tried to transfer my .ART domain to my registrar but they say it is impossible.
Why is that?
Some domain registrars do not support .ART (or new TLDs). It is simply their business
decision. We are constantly working on widening our retail channel.
My registrar is taking pre-registrations / pre-orders? Does it guarantee my
domain?
Not fully. Various registrars may take pre-registrations for the same domain name from
different registrants. When the domain names go on official sale, they will be allocated on
a first come, first served basis. Therefore there is a possibility that another registrar with the
same pre-ordered domain name registers the name before your registrar, meaning your
pre-order may be cancelled.
I pre-registered a domain long time ago, but I recently received a
cancellation. Why and how can I ensure I get my domain of choice?
The majority of pre-registration models really mean an expression of interest which allows
the registrar to keep in touch with the interested person about the launch when the time
comes. Cancellation of the pre-registration is entirely beyond our control. Registering your
domain name as soon as possible is the best way to secure your desired .ART web address.
How can you ensure my registrar carries .ART so that I can have all of my
domains under one roof?
Please get in touch with enquiries@art.art and we will do everything in our power to
accommodate your request.
Technical Questions
I have an existing website. How can I redirect my .ART domain to my existing
website?
You can do so in the dashboard of your account where you have your domain registered.
If this option is not available in the dashboard, you will need to set it up with your web
hosting.
I have an existing website. How can I redirect my existing website to my .ART
domain?
You can do so in the dashboard of your account where you have your domain registered.
If this option is not available in the dashboard, you will need to set it up with your web
hosting.
How can I build a website on my .ART domain?
You can contact ArtSolution, specialise in website development in the art market.
What happens to my search ranking on Google if I switch my website to .ART?
If you follow the necessary steps for a domain switch, you should not lose any ranking on
Google.
Does Google support .ART TLD?
Yes, it does. .ART functions like any other domain.
Can I put the exact same content that I have on my main website onto my
.ART domain?
It is not advisable to copy content on two domains as Google is known to penalise this
behaviour
UK Creative Ideas | About .ART
What is the story of .ART?
When ICANN opened up to allow for new domain zones to exist on the internet, UK
Creative Ideas (UKCI) applied to ICANN to operate the .ART domain zone. After a long
evaluation process, ICANN awarded the contract to UKCI.
Who is bringing .ART to the market?
UKCI, an international team based in London, and founded by Ulvi Kasimov who is an IT
venture investor who has launched and developed a number of projects – from artificial
intelligence search engines to an e-commerce platform.
Ulvi has always been passionate about developing infrastructure because of the
practical application and added value it provides to communities. So, he explored the
various sectors lacking IT infrastructure, and discovered that while technology had radically
transformed daily life in most industries, the art market had not yet fully embraced the tech
revolution – in fact, the art world online is still in its infancy. He recognized the opportunity
to develop online infrastructure for the art world, which could potentially bring about more
freedom, increased transparency, greater choice, and build stronger community.
I have been hearing about .ART since 2012. Why has it taken so long to
launch?
ICANN requires detailed and complex technical and operational processes before a new
top-level domain can go live.
Is there .ARTS or other similar domain extensions?
No, there is not. .ART is unique in that it is short, distinctive, and encompasses all artistic
and creative fields.
I read that you mention building the “.ART community”. What do you mean
by that?
It means that providing the ability to people and businesses using .ART domains online to
have a distinct and special place on the internet.