Most people see a domain extension like .club and assume the hard part is getting approved.
It’s not.
On the latest episode of the Domain Name Wire Podcast hosted by Andrew Allemann, Colin C. Campbell shares what it actually takes to build a successful top-level domain, drawing on his experience launching .Club, growing it into one of the world’s largest new domain extensions, and ultimately selling the business to GoDaddy.
Getting a TLD delegated is just the beginning. The real challenge is building adoption. Colin discusses how long it took .Club to become profitable, why distribution partnerships with registrars are critical, and why success requires patience, capital, and long-term execution. Unlike a typical startup launch, a domain extension is infrastructure. Growth happens over years, not months.
With the ICANN application window closing on August 12, Colin also explains why he’s returning to the market and applying again. Despite the challenges, he believes there are still meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs who understand the industry, have a clear strategy, and are prepared to play the long game.
Whether you’re considering applying for a new top-level domain or you’re simply interested in how internet infrastructure businesses are built, this conversation offers an honest look behind the curtain. It’s a practical discussion about entrepreneurship, distribution, persistence, and creating long-term value in one of the internet’s most unique markets.
Check out the full conversation above, or stream the podcast!