iPad means more web users will circumvent web addresses to get information online.
It wasn’t a question of whether or not Apple would release a tablet computer this past week. It was only a question of the specs and name.
What we’re left with is a device called iPad that is basically a big iPod Touch. But it could be part of a larger trend that will wittle down at direct navigation traffic on domain names. In the iPad’s case, it’s applications that access the web. These applications don’t require typing in a URL. Instead, a tap on the home screen icon gets you to what you’re looking for.
A move to apps as opposed to URLs also throws web analytics into question. If someone accesses their bank account via the Bank of America app, that’s one less visitor to BankofAmerica.com. Should that count in its stats?
While at DOMAINfest this past week, one of the questions I asked a number of large domainers is if they’ve seen any decline in type-in traffic. Most said no, or very little. But there are certainly threats. In addition to apps, witness Google Chrome’s “one box”, which merges the URL bar with the search box.
I’m not sure what the biggest threat to type-in traffic is. But it is lurking.
EM @ KING.NET says
Hi Andrew,
I’ve noticed this trend in the beginning of iPhone Apps. Businesses and Developers still need a home URL, but the end users will be optional.
Yes, instead of going to search engine. The end-users will only check the apps, review, buy and install this to their iPhone or iPad. No domain name involve during the process.
If domainers said not affecting their traffics at all. They are in denial or they have no traffic to worry about.
EM @ KING.NET
Anunt says
Sell all your domain names…they are going to be worthless very soon!
Ace says
@Anuntt sell me all your domains…for cheap
Anthony Mitchell says
It’s been said that cheap Chinese devices will flood global markets in five years. It’s unlikely that these devices will support the same walled-garden approach as Apple would have us use.
Morgan says
Great post Andrew and something that will definitely be a hot topic in the Domaining world in 2010.
Oh – and it’s Saturday night so we both shouldn’t be on our computers…right?
Bruce Marler says
Great to see you doing an post on this, I have been hinting at this along with social media for a bit and the shift is happening even if we do not want it too.
Domains are still important and branding is more important than ever but type-in traffic is and will be affected, planning for that impact should be on everyones mind.
Shot you a link in a post I did on this as well, you beat me to the punch:)
Michael says
I guess we’ll need to start developing our domains to capture search engine traffic instead of parking and relying solely on type-in traffic.
I don’t see this having much of an impact on the value of generic domains when it comes to end users though. The real value is is the branding, instant credibility, and SEO benefits of owning the exact-match domain. If the domain gets slightly less free traffic it won’t turn a $50k domain into a $500 domain.
It will likely makes waves when it comes to incestuous domainer-to-domainer sales, and on decisions as to which domains to keep and which to let expire though.
DR.DOMAIN says
Domains will be valuable…even if type in traffic may be toast.You’ll just have to develop them or sell/lease the “brand sexy” ones as has been previously suggested.
WQ says
So if someone using an iPad wants to go to DNW.com they do not type in “DNW.com”?
Bruce Marler says
WQ,
I think, and someone can disagree with me, most people when talking type-in traffic are more talking about the generic type-in traffic for direct navigation domains (i.e. candy.com).
DomainNameWire.com would not be typed in unless a brand/site had been developed on it of value. Hence no direct navigation traffic for generic products.
That is the reason a solid domain still matters but not for the reason people typically like to talk about when discussing traffic.
And if someone creates a news aggregator app strictly for domains on the iPad/iPhone, well then the type-in to the direct site becomes less important (i.e. domaining.com sends traffic to this blog).
Bruce
WQ says
That is probably what Andrew is talking about here but from some of the wording it sounds as if he was referring to domain names in general, not just type in domains.
Like: “These applications don’t require typing in a URL.”
Bruce Marler says
Not to speak for Andrew, but what he means by that, and what I referred to on my blog as well, is that these applications are being used to access information on sites in a format that requires no domain name to access it. Such as Weather apps, News apps, etc. You open the app to get all the info you would of got if you went to the site.
Michael says
I am of the opinion that people who use direct navigation are mostly people who aren’t very internet-savvy. Let’s say someone wants to buy car insurance and knows how to harness the power of the internet… they’ll Google “car insurance” or something similar, check reviews, compare prices, get a quote, etc.
When I think of someone typing in CarInsurance.com to shop for car insurance, I think of my grandparents who bookmark parked pages to find links. Not exactly the type of people who own iPhones or download apps to do everything.
In my opinion, type-in traffic is going to decrease as the average internet user becomes more savvy regardless of what happens with apps.
marko says
i do not really see why the names are devalued ,these new devices will never have apps for all the urls. if they did it would require scrolling forever.or iam i missing some point..
i can see why a users favs. like localbanks,pizzajoints etc will be affected but thats it,imho
Anthony Mitchell says
A statistic from early January, 2010 was that even with a mobile app available, half of mobile-device users access the applicable service in a browser environment. I’ve been trying to find that study to cite it here. No luck.
Jon says
People may install apps for things like weather, traffic, sports, etc, and games obviously. People will still use the web for things they don’t look for every day. Installing and then finding apps on your screen is a hassle, then you may need to update them. I have just two pages of apps on Ipod touch, and it takes a while to find an app. Finding an app on a large Ipad screen will be very confusing.
Another thing is that overwhelming majority of companies will continue to promote their brands as .com addresses, so they will continue to condition people to use the web.
Passive Income Blogger says
Unless “they” can figure a new way to put a label on information (ie. a domain name to a website, as to a filename to a file), I wouldn’t worry about domain names getting devalued because some company came out with a new media.
Stephen Douglas says
I’ve been domaining for over a decade, and I never fully bought into the “typein” traffic mode of “value” of my domains. My realization has always been the realization of the domains value being an end user’s call.
Regardless if a cellphone app (i really like that phrase, heh), is used to navigate to site, the company needs to promote the name of their site – regardless if they provide an app to get to it without typing it in.
As Michael says above, it’s important for all domainers to start considering building content on their domains so that SET starts building value for their domain. Once you get your domain indexed at an SE, you’ll get the positioning for your domain as a generic descriptive “appreciable marketing asset”.
At that point, it won’t matter what “apps” are used to link to common sites, because you’ll own the generic descriptive domain needed to promote that app. It’s like a — a circle of value. Start using some of those free content sites. I think Dub-A advertises Whypark.com on his site. I suggest domainers start by clicking on DNW’s Whypark ad banners and links and sign up.
It’s nice to see your domain name with content that doesn’t look like a little box with little links that 80% of the public instantly recognizes as a landing page. It’s also nice to know that you MIGHT get your domain indexed with content, when you can be 100% assured that using a PPC landing page, it never will be.
Nice topic, Dub-A. D-Rose advised me about this potential issue over two months ago, and he’s no chump.
ted says
“I am of the opinion that people who use direct navigation are mostly people who aren’t very internet-savvy”
These are the most valuable customers by far.This is actually an argument for why type-in is so valuable. Don’t forget There are millions of people comming on the net for the first time every month. We all got on the net for the first time onece and were newbies. The first day I was on the net, I typed in hundreds of domains and probably bookmarked some. Bookmarks are valuable.
Danny Pryor says
Direct nav isn’t just for noobs, and iPhone and iPad apps are not going to strip web traffic. There will be an impact, of course, but there won’t be an elimination of the URI. Let’s face it, I’m not on the iPhone browsing when I’m at home or working, I’m on a terrestrial system. Mobility is an added tool that, when properly embraced, can only serve to greatly enhance the value of a domain. Of course, it does mean doing something so many domainers find anathema to owning a portfolio: development.
Mark says
I don’t think there is any question this will alter the game for the domain industry, the only question is to what extent. For sure, and I would defy anyone to argue to the contrary, that it is not for the better of the domain business.
History is full of businesses and people who thought they had the world by the short ones only to wake up to a different day.
Everything changes and has a life span. That is a fact. To believe otherwise is to dwell in a fools paradise.
Belmassio says
I think, based on my limited knowledge of the product, that many folks will feel somewhat unsatisfied with the iPad. I suspect they might use a bunch of the apps but then want to visit a specific site…..like SuziesShoes.com but can’t since the walled off, enclosed “app city” won’t let them. However, they can use the “shoes app”, but that is NOT necessarily what those surfers want every time.
It just seems to me that ideally you need to have the app and the search environment package to really have the best of both worlds in the iPad.
Regarding direct navigation, of course it will curb some of it……who knows how much?
However, all kinds of things have been eating chunks out of direct navigation for years…..video games, blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, free YouTube-type sex video sites (everywhere now, a free distraction from direct navigation), iPhone , social networks, browser manufacturer search theft, ISP’s resolving searches instead of surfers repeating the address bar search, etc…..
Even after all this, direct navigation is still holding on. I do think it will decrease unless all of major domain holders find a way to show more relevant ads on the sites. Surfers are totally turned off by the parked sites and the senseless ads than don’t solve the surfer’s needs.
The next time you need a product try to use direct navigation to go to a parked site and see if you can even get the product you want. Google and Yahoo have been intentionally trying to kill direct navigation by not giving us good ads or a good revenue share. Apple thinks they are going to “one-up” Google/Yahoo/Bing search engines eliminating search by dumbing down the search process. I think AOL tried this and it only worked when folks were new to the Net.
rob sequin says
Andrew,
GREAT post. I think you will look back a couple years from now and realize that you were right on the money here.
I will add another threat to domains…
FACEBOOK TWITTER and any site where a user’s site is to the right of the .com/username
Here’s a good example go to http://ptownarthouse.com/ and you will see the domain simply points to their facebook page. Actually makes a lot of sense.
VERY easy to develop a facebook page rather than a website and they get the social networking benefit.
The young and hip are using apps and facebook so you have to admit that is the future of the internet and reduction in use of domain names.
Simon Hedley says
we talked about this when the apps came out within starttradingdomains.com
The biggest threat is in 5/10/20 years all domains become redundant, in the same way pager numbers vanished as a meaningful Market.
The full scope of idn and rapid but slow time to market means that the agile and well informed will be prime placed to take advantage.
Full suite marketing – app + domain + social media etc seems the ideal end point – iPrioritize on the iPhone does this well.
Great article – and worth keeping open to what might happen so that we’re not overtaken by the “black swans”
Rok says
Some very good points and a lot to think about. Sure there will be a bit of downfall in type-in traffic, but I think that it’s time we (domainers) realize that development is best bet we can currently make. Also about twitter/facebook – yes easier to just forward to profile page you made on it, but if a serious company would just use twitter/facebook to make impression on customer I’d just laugh at it (but combo of developed page and twitter/facebook is great way). Also don’t forget majority of businesses are using shopping platforms and I don’t think there is app in facebook for it or maybe I’m just mistaken.
sc says
Walled gardens only work for the mindless consumers that don’t want to access information. It’s a marketers dream but just another demographic.
Facebook only replaces web sites for the uninformed and people who ONLY want that demographic.
NOBODY “owns” the internet and no piece of hardware will change that.
Michael says
Ted, you missed the point. I didn’t say direct navigation traffic isn’t valuable, I said I don’t think it is subject to changes in cutting-edge technology. They are the newbies of the internet.
You made my point with your argument. When you first got on the internet you typed in hundreds of domains. How many do you type now that you are internet savvy? QED
Eventually there will be very little type-in traffic… but it won’t be because of the iPad, Facebook or Twitter. It will be because everyone grows out of that archaic method of finding what you want.
That doesn’t de-value domains though. And Rob, in your example where a business uses Facebok as its presence… they still have a domain name pointing to it. Dreamweaver should be worried, not domainers.
sc says
P.S. Google is always trying some stunt to elimiate direct navigation and force uneduacted surfers into their search engine.
It works for a few minutes then it fails.
rob sequin says
“And Rob, in your example where a business uses Facebok as its presence… they still have a domain name pointing to it. Dreamweaver should be worried, not domainers.”
Fair enough but what do they tell people at a cocktail party or during a phone call. Do they say go to my facebook page at facebook.com/ptownarthouse or go to my website at ptownarthouse.com?
(I have no affiliation with this site)
sc says
Michael,
u said.. “Eventually there will be very little type-in traffic… but it won’t be because of the iPad, Facebook or Twitter. It will be because everyone grows out of that archaic method of finding what you want.”
Apps are just another way of surfing. It sure makes knowing URLs a thing of the past.
“That doesn’t de-value domains though. And Rob, in your example where a business uses Facebok as its presence… they still have a domain name pointing to it.”
Strange business model, but it works for some people. Again, it elimiates URLs.
“Dreamweaver should be worried, not domainers.”
Superior media creation packges will always rule. I can spot a cheap one from 10 miles away. Technology ALWAYS evolves.
Good thread. I have to get back to work now.
Michael says
“Apps are just another way of surfing. It sure makes knowing URLs a thing of the past.”
I know, my point was that people who use direct navigation are not the same demographic that has smartphones and cutting edge gadgets using apps to surf. Add in a new cutting edge technology and it doesn’t effect the newbies who type in domains directly as a method of website discovery. The only thing I really see substantially chipping away at direct navigation is those newbies becoming savvy internet users.
“Strange business model, but it works for some people. Again, it elimiates URLs.”
Clearly it is a URL substitute because they still forward their domain to the FB page. Anyway, a business who relies on social media for their web presence is doomed to failure. They did it with MySpace, and now it is dead. It’ll happen with Twitter and FB in a few years.
Jon says
I think a much more important trend is people using bookmarks a lot less as people start using laptops, cell-phones, pods, pads interchangeably. That means the best short .coms that are very easy to remember will become a lot more valuable. I think NN, LL, common word LLL and LLLL .coms will benefit the most from it.
Jose Augusto says
How to make money online
————————
1980
Register a domain
Develop a website
[Content]
Press release
2000
Buy a domain
Install a website
[Content]
Link build
2020
Create a brand
[Content]
Spread the word
Jose Augusto says
CORRECTION: Previous post dates should be have been: 1990/2000/2010
Steve says
Domains are not the trip.
They are the destination.
Damir Tankovic says
Reading the response posted to the post I noticed that many people live in fear that the domain names will be worthless which will not be the case for sure.
People want variety so one iPad product will not undervalue internet domain names.
Many people do their shopping online via the internet by typing into their web search browser a domain name related to the stuff they intend to buy.
Frank Schilling says
I saw the quicktime video at apple.com and think this device is going to be awesome for domain names and direct navigation. There is a QUERTY keyboard and an incentive to be online more than now. It’s mainly when I’m mobile (out and about) that I get the sudden urge to navigate to a merchant or guess a site name, it’s when I get home that I execute what I remember I wanted to go to. Apple products are good for domains and free navigation because Apple doesn’t own its own keyword marketplace. Google, Yahoo and Microsoft own keyword marketplaces and so they have a real understanding of the value of traffic and are incented to create walled gardens to keep it in. This is a great appliance that is going to make my kids video player obsolete (bad for Sony), it will slow Kindle way down (I own a Kindle – bad for Amazon) and it will change the way that people buy navigation only laptops. I could even see myself moving away from a laptop and running my business from the 3rd gen version of this thing in a year or two. If I were a PC maker, Amazon or video player manufacturer I’d be worried today, but as a domain owner I’m almost giddy.
David says
At the end of the day…users only care about what they get online, not how they get there.
Just like car insurance, if a user can go to carinsurance.com and review and purchase all the companies they see when they search on Google, they are happy to circumvent going to all those websites to get what they want.
If an app gets you what you want faster, you will use it and analytics are easily available.
It is an interesting discussion of another moving needle on the web.
Belmassio says
I love to hear what Frank is saying here, but again can anyone tell me how you navigate with a domain on this thing?
How is this good for domains when you are “out and about” if you have no ability to access a specific site?
Andrew Allemann says
@ Belmassio – the ipad has a browser. You can access web sites over Wifi or 3G internet.
dman says
The ipad will only be one slice of the market and i belive most internet users have already been “trained” to surf by URL. so any possible decline in the domain name market is years away.
EM @ KING.NET says
Obviously we have a problem here.
Domainers will try to survive whatever is left for us.
Cheers.
Domain Report says
I think people will always type in domains of subjects, products, interests etc. just to see what is there. For example, if I started doing karate, I’d probably type in karate.com at some point to see what’s there. As for domains becoming less relevant, what do you tell the thousands/millions of businesses who don’t have websites yet but will want an online presence in coming years – get a twitter or facebook account and build your own app?? You need to be able to tell people where to find you online, and you don’t want to solely rely on a social media website account that can delete you, censor you, or limit you in any way. Not everyone uses apps, and it won’t become the only way to access the net for sure. All these little technology advances that come along now and then do take a little away from the use of domains, but the growth of people coming online, and the people/businesses that have yet to develop an online presence overwhelm it in my opinion. Most will want to have their own website, and a good domain to go with it.
Matt says
In the time since the start of the internet boom, PC apps/programs haven’t made a dent in website usage, so I’m not too worried about mobile device apps. I think at the very most they can be a complement to the actual website.
bernard says
I do think a large part of the type-in traffic will remain as long as domainers look this way for domain!
The guy of the street doesn’t type the domain name unless he knows it.
bernard says
Apart from domainers, the other are probably wannabees looking for a domain to start a business.
Belmassio says
Thanks Andrew for the reply…..that makes more sense.
Brady says
I like your fore thinking. Among threats to domainers, I think iPad would be either a ‘Guarded’ or ‘Low’. First this new Apple tool has to become successful, then a population larger than the iPhone population has to give buy-in..not likely. Also if you think about it, a person who would buy an iPad would 1. not be the type-in type 2. If they did type-in they are likely not going to click through ads. We have bigger threats out there for now.
nix says
I detailed my take on this on my blog
(http://domaineur.ca/veille-technologique/le-ipad-nuit-au-marche-du-domaining/)
but since it is writen in french I thought I’d expand a bit here:
The iPad and mostly the app trend (should I say train) is clearly in the current state a threat to domaining since it shortcuts all toghether the web page navigation model and domain as a destination.
The problem with it in fact is the apps run natively on the device rather than in the browser.
But that is about to change. Apple made lots of ennemies and fierce critics about it’s close ecosystem iPhone > apps > AppStore > Developper Center. Remember Google voice being denied access to the AppStore ? http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10297618-37.html
Well Google is back on the iPhone simply using HTML 5 in the browser:
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/01/26/html5-powered-google-voice-looks-feels-like-the-iphone-app-appl/
One can clearly see I think that this app market will go back to the browser. Why would develop apps for AppStore only where you can have an HTML / Browser / Domain name that works on any phone just as well ?
Even further thinking than that… Would you not see application that makes possible for just about anybody to developp aplications; just as the blog gave publishing power to the mass.
With the ap back in the browser and Google search as the global app store search… Domain names, especialy quality short and catchy ones will have their value sky rocket.
Tup says
extremely bad post. of course the iPad will have no impact at all.
Ozie Jackson says
I’m having a cognitive disconnect about apps replacing domains in general. I have about 400-500 websites on my favorites list that I like to visit on a semi regular basis.
If I don’t want to type in the website, I go to my favorites list and click the domain and I am there. Why would I or anyone else want to download/pay for a different app for all these websites just to avoid having to type it in? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me right now.
I am not saying that apps will not have their place and will not be a major internet tool. There are some great app games and tools after all.
But to say that every keyword domain and keyword phrase domain will be replaced anytime soon by apps is ludicrous. For example; if you are looking for apple (fruit) products you have to make an app for applepie.com, applejuice.com, applecider.com, applesauce.com applebutter.com etc, etc…. and this is just for apple based products.
Who in their right mind is going to download all those damn apps? Especially if they can type it in once, and if they like the site, just save it to their favorite list for quick access?
To say that apps will replace keyword domains anytime soon is like saying .biz will take over for .com as the top business extension. Sure….it could happen.. but I ain’t holding my breath.
Andrew Allemann says
Frank brings up some good points in comment #38. Devices that bring more leisurely use to the web probably increase type-in traffic.
Some other recent devices have increased the amount of typo traffic, for sure. The other day I watched someone typo a web address while using someone else’s computer. They said “wow, your keyboard is smaller than mine.” It dawned on me that typos are more common on netbooks and smartphones than regular laptops and desktops.
These devices also probably increase usage of the web and non-typo traffic as well.
I think the headline over at NamePros — something like iPad to kill domaining? — is overblown. But I do think we’re experiencing changes in how people use the web. I don’t have data to back up what is happening to direct nav traffic, though. I think Frank’s portfolio would be a good barometer since domains are rarely sold from it.
WQ says
“I don’t have data to back up what is happening to direct nav traffic”.
Thats probably the wisest thing I’ve heard yet.
What we have is a bunch of domainer newbies that don’t even own very many, if any, generic type in getting domains telling us all that direct navigation is dying out.
These are guys that offer SEO services of some sort or just want to build traffic to their blogs.
Sometimes they are just haters who are pist they got into the game too late.
If you are going to say that direct nav has been dying off show me your portfolio.
That should be a requirement.
Stephen Douglas says
@ WQ
Another ‘requirement’ would be that domainers who want to be taken seriously when they post publicly should identify who they are, so all the readers can decide where you’re coming from, and if that place is “experience”.
Why hide?
WQ says
Many who have been around long enough know who I am.
Some of us like our SE privacy.
If you would like to compare notes on direct nav let me know and I will personally email you.
In the meantime, if someone is going to talk with authority on a subject, lets see the proof.
bernard says
A former commenter reminded me of candy.com, and I got a look over what should a great example of domainer’s wishfull thinking attitude.
Ok, let’s start with Candy.com :
* Google Candy: stands at the end of the fourth page of results for candy
* Alexa: flat and modest traffic for 6 months, around 140k thus maybe a handfull of 10k visitor or so
* A few hundred of Twitter followers to grab bargains
Let’s compare with other competitor:
* candydirect.com, #2 on Google, Alexa 150k
* candywarehouse.com #7 on Google, Alexa 71k
* candystand.com, #9 on Google, and doesn’t sell any candy!
* jellybelly.com, #10 on Google, Alexa 100k
* sugarstand.com, #11 on Google, Alexa 500k
Conclusion:
* the “top figures generic unbelievable premium” domain name doesn’t help to rank before so-called zero value domain as jellybelly.com
* the candy online business seems a modest one, with lots of ancient competitors
The only great business here is to have sold candy.com for that price.
Louise says
Candy.com came up #21, 1st entry on page 3 of Google on a search from California – not too shabby! Sometimes depends from what local you are performing Google search. From Europe results are different . . .
Candy.com sold in June of 2009 – it hasn’t been a year! Give it time for re-branding for a few more months. Once a parked page has turned off prospective customers, it takes a while to acquaint them with a new site!
Stephen Douglas says
I’ve been domaining since 1995, and I’ve never heard of a WQ. Is that “long enough to be around.”? *sound of crickets*
WQ says
>>I’ve never heard of a WQ
I never heard of you either til a few years ago.
>>I’ve been domaining since 1995
Cool. Maybe you can share some stats on a few names of yours that you had for years so we can all see here if natural type ins truly are dying off.
You bring a lot of experience to this blog…I’ll be waiting to see what you are willing to share.
Robert Haastrup-Timmi says
My two cents:
iPad is definitely a revolutionary paradigm in terms of how the facebook generation will peruse the internet. However if you look at Steve Jobs’s pitch at the unveiling, he went to great lengths to emphasize how the iPad makes user experience seamless for the “WEB”. Then he went on to demonstrate apps’s ability and so on.
The point here is, unless anyone here honestly believes primary navigation to the web will be trounced by apps as a starting point, then GOOGLE is in big trouble!! What that implies is, that Google traffic will significantly decline and hence canibalize google traffic and ultimately google ad revenue. If you believe this, then SELL GOOGLE! Now, I believe all this is false.
Remember AOL guys? they also tried to build a wall to keep people within….guess what, it had momentum but could never ever replace the Web. Apps honestly remind me of “bookmarking” webpages. How many bookmarks do you peruse? I bet very little. You still go through google or the Domain URL. Therefore the simple answer to this excellent article by Andrew, is don’t dump your Domains Yet!
It’s a bit like saying the advent of the internet would destroy the value of property or the need for Real Estate Agents. Both continue to thrive. Domains are primary internet real estate and the web will always be the primary conduit…. not APPS!
Stephen Douglas says
@ WQ
Yes, let me give you my stats and revenue, post it here publicly to a guy/girl represented by two letters.
my favorite? SNURF.COM. A multi-meaning domain name. Makes about 3 million uniques a month, with a 50% conv rate, CPC is, oh… about $35. It’s helped me with my career, helping me get invites to Bill Gates parties, where strangely Steve Jobs was there, but always hiding out in Gates’ library rifling through some notes… I didn’t question it.
So, your name is…?
WQ says
Your privacy was not an issue til I asked about some traffic stats?
No one asked about revenue.
>>So, your name is…?
I gave you the answer to this above.
Landon says
Awesome discussion.
I think it’s time to learn how to develop apps….
Landon M says
“It’s a bit like saying the advent of the internet would destroy the value of property or the need for Real Estate Agents. ”
In time, yes, internet may significantly diminish the need for many functions previously served by Realtors. It already has, to a degree- and yes, inarguably, internet has/will diminish storefront retail consumption. To argue otherwise is simply whistling past the graveyard. Competing technologies can co-exist, but the battle for supremacy lies in ‘relevance’ and who attains the most of it.
I think there’s a difference between direct navigators who are banging in a keyword domain name with their wallets open and “curiosity navigators” who wander onto a name just to casually check out what might be there. Either user can click (which is good for us), but their intent is totally different and advertisers want the latter. I don’t know if apps will impact determined direct navigators, but it may change whatever trends exist with curiosity navigators and how they sate their need for targeted information.
Like it or not, there’s an enormous sea-change about to occur in the interplay between consumer behavior and the internet. Were just starting to see the initial salvo of consumers with meaningful buying power who’ve had the internet for virtually their entire lives. They browse in an entirely different fashion than those to whom internet is a come-lately phenomenon and over time, they and their methods will become the standard rather than the exceptions.
Its fascinating to think about how this all relates to domain names, domain value and navigation trends. I agree that you cannot wall the garden (love that phrase!)- the internet is too big for that- but we may be facing down a trend that has meaningful implications for what we do.
bernard says
to Stephen Douglas
How can a domain with 3 million hits be Alexa 27M ?
I guess it rather 3 hits a months.
Snurf, snurf.
Stephen Douglas says
@ Bernard,
My friend, I was responding sarcastically to another comment. But honestly, not only do I disregard Alexa ratings (they mean nothing), but if I was getting 3 million hits on a domain name, I’d be bragging about it every week, incessantly:
“Hey guys, check this out! MY domain, Snurf.com get’s 3 million hits a month! How ’bout that, huh!”
Then I’d throw a party and invite everyone… on the last Saturday for every month those 3 million hits kept coming in.
You wouldn’t want that, would you? 😉
Anthony Mitchell says
How will we know that apps are pulling traffic away? What metrics track app activity?
Ed says
Well, there is every chance that technologies will NEVER be static. iPad is not an exception.
Any domainer should be on guard to know when to offload his domains before it becomes worthless.
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