Microsoft buys Office.com domain for Office Web

Until now, Microsoft has located the Web site for its Office software suite at office. microsoft.com, which is neither memorable nor inspiring. Clearly a better domain was needed if the new Web-based version of Office 2010, Office Web, was going to stand a chance of competing with the other free or cheap alternatives out there. And what better than Office.com?

Microsoft Office has been a big hit in all its various versions through the years. Most of us have owned at least one version either by purchasing it or having it bundled in a with a new PC. But recent years have seen various free alternatives released which have taken some of the shine off the necessity of Office. Open Office and Google Docs immediately spring to mind.

So, while still forging ahead with a new retail version of Office, the rather obviously titled Office 2010, Microsoft has also decided to develop a Web-based version of the suite. It’ll be lighter on features than its bigger brother but, as it will be free to everyone with a Windows Live account, few will complain.

According to I Started Something, in preparation for Office Web, Microsoft has acquired the Office.com domain from Belgian startup ContactOffice. This move was rumored a month ago when Office Web was first being talked about but it’s now official, with a WHOIS search revealing the change of ownership occurred on Aug. 4.

There’s been no word as yet how much Microsoft paid for that rather attractive and very rare domain but it was probably a considerable sum of money that has now made someone in Belgium very rich indeed. It’s possible that Microsoft will use the domain to redirect people to office.microsoft.com but I doubt it very much.

There’s also no confirmation yet that the Office.com domain will be used for hosting the Office Web suite of apps but it seems highly likely. Microsoft isn’t in the habit of spending money on unjustified purchases and the only way this one will be justified will be if Office.com hosts Office Web when it’s released.

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