With over 6 million registered .nl domains, SIDN plays a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape of the Netherlands.
In this exclusive interview with Openprovider, Roelof Meijer, CEO of SIDN, shares his insights on trends in the domain market, the impact of technological innovations like AI and blockchain, and how SIDN collaborates with registrars and resellers to keep .nl secure and reliable.
He also discusses the upcoming NIS2 directive, its implications for compliance, and how SIDN supports resellers in communicating effectively with their customers.
A conversation packed with valuable insights for anyone active in the domain industry!
Openprovider: What trends does SIDN see in the Dutch domain market, and how do you expect these to evolve in the coming years?
Roelof Meijer: With 11 million registered domains, the Dutch domain market is one of the largest globally. This is primarily due to the high online presence of Dutch businesses. Almost nowhere else in the world do so many entrepreneurs have their own websites—it’s part of our business culture here in the Netherlands.
The entrepreneurial climate is the most important factor driving domain demand: the number of startups and growing businesses, as well as the number of bankruptcies.
Currently, the number of new businesses is declining, which is contributing to the contraction of the .nl zone. It’s mainly unused domains that are disappearing, while the more than three million active websites remain largely unaffected. .nl holds a strong position here, as the percentage of .nl domains linked to active websites is higher than that of other extensions in the Dutch market.
When the economy picks up again, business registrations are likely to rise as well. This is why we actively participate in events for startups and encourage registrars and resellers to help entrepreneurs get online.
We’re also closely monitoring structural trends as well. For instance, the role AI will play in how people use the internet and how blockchain domains might have an influence on existing extensions like .nl. These developments are often seen as threats but also present opportunities for the use of domain names.
For example, a prominent blockchain domain provider recently became a registrar for .nl. We see that AI users still want to verify the results of a prompt via a reliable online source with its own domain name.
OP: How do emerging technologies affect the way .nl domains are registered, managed, and secured?
RM: AI is already playing a significant role in certain market segments. For instance, in managing large domain portfolios and automating website content. At SIDN, we are also experimenting with AI to suggest the right domain names for entrepreneurs.
Technology also plays a crucial role in keeping .nl secure. With .nl, we don’t just aim for a large zone but a high-quality one. This means having as many actively used domains as possible and minimizing abuse. Together with our registrars, we take action against phishing, malware distribution, and similar threats.
We aim to maximize the security of the .nl domain without hindering registrars. For example, we use pattern recognition to detect suspicious registrations (Regcheck) and warn domain holders who cancel a domain name if their email is still active on that domain (Lemmings). However, it’s a constant “arms race” with cybercriminals, as they continue to develop more advanced techniques to deceive their targets.
.nl and SIDN also depend on the cooperation of registrars and resellers. This is why we encourage them to adopt modern open standards such as DNSSEC, IPv6, DMARC, DKIM, and DANE.
These standards enhance the reliability of the internet and enable further growth.
OP: How is SIDN preparing for the NIS2 directive, and what impact do you expect it to have on domain holders and resellers?
RM: SIDN is already subject to the current NIS directive, but with the introduction of NIS2, registrars and resellers will need to meet the same standards—and even go a step further. For example, validating holder data will become mandatory, which could have significant implications. Fortunately, the first draft of the implementation into Dutch law suggests that registrars may use the existing procedure for gTLDs (email verification). This means the impact in the Netherlands should be relatively manageable.
SIDN closely monitors the NIS2 implementation and continuously informs registrars. Most of this information is public and also accessible to resellers. They can subscribe to our newsletter for updates. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for registrars. SIDN does not impose additional requirements beyond those of the legislator and assists registrars and resellers in meeting the requirements.
One example is the requirement for domain providers and DNS providers to audit their suppliers’ (including SIDN’s) security policies. We’ve set up a Trust Center that contains all the necessary information for registrars and resellers. This allows them to comply with audits by simply referring to this resource.
OP: Does SIDN have advice for domain resellers on helping their customers comply with the NIS2 directive?
RM: Our main advice at this stage is to wait for the final text of the Dutch Cybersecurity Act. Taking steps prematurely might result in unnecessary rework. However, customers would benefit from reviewing and consolidating the ownership of their domain portfolios now—verifying one entity is far easier than verifying many.
OP: How can resellers communicate the unique value of .nl domains to their customers?
RM: The value of a good domain name far exceeds the registration cost. It’s important for holders to understand this. A well-chosen domain name demonstrably increases revenue by boosting consumer trust in .nl and reducing lead generation costs.
This value doesn’t disappear if a business closes–yet valuable domain names still often end up with drop catchers for free because the owner didn’t realize their worth.
To help registrars and resellers communicate this to holders, SIDN offers free marketing toolkits with tested texts and visuals. These toolkits provide a blueprint for effective communication with holders.
OP: What role do domain resellers play in the broader .nl ecosystem, and how can these relationships be strengthened?
RM: Domains are a key part of online services, often tied to services like SEO, web design, or application development.
We believe it’s essential for businesses that rely on domains as a core component of their operations to have the opportunity to build a domain portfolio through a specialized registrar.
This benefits both parties by fostering specialization and profitability. SIDN supports registrars in activating resellers and raising awareness about the opportunities .nl offers, with many of our resources also available to resellers.
.nl and the future
SIDN looks beyond domain registrations, focusing on innovation, security, and collaboration.
For resellers, .nl offers not only a trusted extension, but also unique opportunities to better serve customers and grow within the broader digital ecosystem.
By investing in knowledge, tools, and support, SIDN is laying a solid foundation for a future where domain names remain a vital part of entrepreneurs’ digital strategies.
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