"Nowhere in the world combines business attractiveness with a livable metro area like Portland. The innovation behind .pdx raises the profile of our city, provides visibility for local businesses, and makes it easier to find the great products, services and features of Portland."
Sandra McDonough, President & CEO, Portland Business Alliance
The fastest growing part of the web is Local
Local search is now the #2 online activity after email. Did you know 43% of search engine results are for local products and services (e.g. "plumber portland")? This revolution in how we access information is fast replacing phonebooks, newspapers, and magazines.
But where's the Local in www?
Since the dawn of the internet, everyone everywhere has competed for similar domain names. Search engines help sort through this, but often can’t distinguish Portland, OR from Portland, ME or authentic local businesses from pretenders.
Visitors suffer hard to remember names, inaccurate search, inconsistent navigation and the irritation of getting lost. Publishers settle for long names, wrong names, mistaken identity, and lost business with hard to find websites. There is simply little inventory in .coms, .nets and .orgs today. Unfortunately, new local organizations suffer the most.
How can .pdx provide an answer for Greater Portland?
Adding area codes in 1947 and zip codes in 1963 solved conflicting phone numbers and addresses. But no federal authority is going to solve the local internet problem. It’s up to us.
The body that governs the worldwide web, ICANN, announced in June 2008 it will accept applications for new Top Level Domains (aka TLDs, like .com, .net, .org, and .biz). We want to establish the .pdx TLD for Greater Portland. The "CityTLD" movement was pioneered by .nyc, .berlin, and .paris. Portland's .pdx can solve the frustrations of the local internet, raise the profile of our metro area, and support the "buy local" values that are such an important part of our Northwest culture.
For web users, .pdx...
- Simplifies searching for area products and services
- Provides a better directory for the public and private sectors
- Is a reliable destination for all things local
For businesses and other publishers, .pdx...
- Releases web real estate
- Enables new models like local portals, directories, mapping and mobile
- Can deliver an advantage in organic search
For the Portland metro area, .pdx...
- Promotes the area to residents, prospective residents and tourists
- Raises the Portland profile for business and technological investment
- Unites the metro region under one domain
Lend a hand, sign the petition, or request a name!
We are seeking Charter Sponsors to help raise money and support dotPDX's application to ICANN. Please visit our Sponsorship section if you'd like to help with funding. If you are an individual, simply contact us to add your name to the petition, ask a question, stay updated, and otherwise make .pdx a reality! Please let us know about your ideas, concerns, opportunities -- we'd love to hear from you!