Image of Kickstart America campaignNeustar, a provider of realtime information and analysis to the Internet, has created a campaign to “Kickstart America” with a focus on encouraging small business owners to register their domains using the .us extension. As part of its campaign Neustar has created the “Dream Big” contest, a competition created to help entrants kickstart their online business. The Kickstart America initiative  focuses on raising awareness about the benefits of registering an online domain using the .us extension, which include:

  • Community – .US is more than just a domain – it’s a growing movement. By registering for a .US extension, companies send a message that they believe in the power of local business.
  • Memorability – Companies have a better opportunity to get the name of choice versus traditional options and they get a powerful, easily recalled domain name associated with a growing brand.
  • Searchability – Because search engines rank websites with .US extensions higher in the U.S., entrepreneurs have a powerful tool to help potential customers find their sites.
  • Discoverability – With .US, companies add a new dimension to their business or organization to let customers know they’re out there.
  • Manageability – .US provides resources and tools to make putting up a website and promoting it easy.

To enter the “Dream Big” contest companies are asked to submit their business story and information via LINK. According to Neustar, two lucky winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., May 20-24, 2012, to spend two full days at National Small Business Week. Additionally, winners will receive a complete website design from a top firm, as well as a local advertising campaign customized specifically for their businesses – in total, a $12,000 value.

Wow. I think this is fabulous. In our area one of the real concerns is the number of small businesses that don’t yet have an online presence, closely followed by the many who don’t use their sites effectively and are resisting investing in online marketing and social media. I love the campaign and its focus on providing incentive for companies to register a website and get moving in catching up with the rest of world online.

Visit the KickstartAmerica.us website and see what I mean. The site provides very basic tools for companies (well, it’s a place to start) and has a very heartwarming video showing a cash mob event at a florist whose site is a .us site.

Take a chance, send Neustar your company’s business story and information. Who knows? You might be one of the winners and get to enjoy the trip to Washington, DC and the fabulous prizes.

Good luck! Let us know how you do.