What is .MOBI?

.MOBI is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced to indicate that a website was optimized for mobile phones.

It emerged during an early stage of mobile internet adoption, before responsive design became common.

Who can register?

In general, .MOBI domains can be registered by anyone, with no special eligibility requirements.

Why businesses/people/organizations choose .MOBI

  • Clear association with mobile-specific experiences
  • Useful for early mobile-only or campaign sites
  • Historically popular for redirecting mobile users
  • Recognizable meaning based on its name

History and Background of the .MOBI Domain

The .MOBI domain was delegated in 2006, before the ICANN 2012 new generic top-level domain program. Delegation refers to the point when a domain extension is officially added to the global domain name system.

Following delegation, .MOBI launched through structured registration phases, including a sunrise period (a phase allowing trademark holders to register first) and a landrush phase for high-demand names, before opening to general public registration.

As responsive web design became standard, the need for separate mobile domains declined, and .MOBI usage shifted toward legacy projects and niche use cases.

Why you might not choose .MOBI

Before choosing a .MOBI domain, it is important to consider how mobile web standards have changed.

  • Modern web design: Most websites today use responsive layouts that work across devices.
  • Relevance: A separate mobile domain is no longer required in most cases.
  • User expectations: Visitors generally expect mobile-friendly sites regardless of extension.

Because of these factors, Website.com currently focuses on proven, widely recognized extensions such as .COM, .NET, and .ORG. .MOBI domains are not currently available for registration through Website.com.

Similar alternatives available at Website.com

  • .COM – Commonly used for responsive, mobile-friendly websites.
  • .NET – Often used for online platforms and services.
  • .ORG – Suitable for organizations and community sites.
  • .INFO – Useful for informational and reference content.

FAQs

Is .MOBI still useful today?

It is less essential today, as most websites are designed to work well on both desktop and mobile devices.

Was .MOBI popular in the past?

Yes. It was widely used in the early mobile internet era, especially for redirecting users to mobile-specific site versions.

Is .MOBI restricted?

No. In general, anyone can register a .MOBI domain.