The world of online business is often described with the word “fluid”, usually referring to the fact that there are enough outside factors that can – and will – influence the fate of an internet business to cause it to rise up or fall down in a matter of days. This is why it’s such a big deal for an online business to survive for decades. Some of the biggest internet companies of today are relatively young. Google, the big daddy of internet businesses, turned 20 in 2016, while Facebook, the social giant, has opened up to the general public a mere 10 years ago. Let’s see a few online businesses set to celebrate their 20th birthday in 2017.
GoDaddy
Founded by Baltimore entrepreneur Bob Parsons in 1997, GoDaddy has become the largest single company in the domain names business. Initially, the company Parsons founded was called Jomax Technologies – the owner came up with the name “Go Daddy” in 1999. Still, the company didn’t change its name to GoDaddy until February 2006.
By 2005, GoDaddy became the largest ICANN accredited domain registrar of the world. By this January, the company had over 61 million domain names under its management.
7 Sultants
Keeping your head above the turbid waters of the great online is not easy, especially in the extremely competitive real money gaming business. 7 Sultans, one of the oldest such destinations in the world, has been successful in it so far – next year, the 7 Sultans Casino will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Part of its charm is its constant willingness of renewal. Over the years, the 7 Sultans always kept its looks and services aligned with the times. Today, getting started at 7 Sultans is easier than ever thanks to its easy registration process, and its easy-to-use website design, both on a desktop computer and a smartphone.
The 7 Sultans is part of the Fortune Lounge Group, one of the most long-lived and appreciated gaming groups.
Netflix
Last, but not least, we have to mention the entertainment company turned online video streaming giant, Netflix, founded in 1997 by California entrepreneurs Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings. Netflix started with a “DVD by Mail” business model, expanding to the world of streaming media in 2007. It soon grew out the boundaries of the US, expanding to Canada in 2010, and continuing to grow its streaming service until it covered most of the world. The company entered the production business, too, offering its subscribers several critically acclaimed original productions, like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Stranger Things, a series of Marvel superhero series, and many others.
Next year, Netflix turns 20.