The increase in internet-connected screens is good for web site publishers.
Before the original iPad was released I opined that it could be bad for domain name investors. The world seemed to be (slowly) shifting from web sites to Apps.
But then I discovered that may not be the case.
With all the hoopla around the iPad 2 I now realize that more internet connected devices can only be a good thing for web publishers (and thereby the importance of domain names).
As I look around my house I see 10 internet connected screens: iPad, two iPod touches, TV in the living room (connected via Roku and Boxee Box), two Android phones, Kindle, two laptops, and a desktop computer.
Just a couple years ago the only internet connected screens we had in our house were connected to computers. That’s no longer the case.
The iPad 2 only reinforces this. Like many newer smartphones, the iPad 2 can be connected to a full size HD TV. This means more and more people will have internet-connected TVs. (Indeed, the iPad 2 could make a large dent in Roku’s market.)
Incidentally, we got rid of our cable TV. That time I used to spend on the controlled cable TV environment is now spent connected to the internet to access similar content.
While some of these devices are certainly connecting to apps instead of domain names, it is increasing the overall time people are online. When I sit down with my iPad I might spend some time in apps, but I also surf the web.
True, content owners try to control the experience through apps. But the improving technology of internet-connected screens means more people will use the internet more often than ever.
And that means domain names and traditional web sites are as important as ever.
Gene says
Yes, I fully agree with your conclusion.
Apps are fantastic, but I still find myself visiting the main site in many cases — even from my Droid-X.
And if you combine the multi-screen trend with the ever-increasing online population, a powerful argument is made for ‘fair value’ domain name pricing; which is something that’s not yet been achieved.
Gene
DomainJD.com
Jeff Schneider says
Hello Andrew,
Yes, The key to online Branding is your .com Business Address. Madison Avenue continually gets it wrong when dealing with Online Branding.The very fact that they are pushing clients to use Facebook and others, is a telling sign of future obsolescence of Social Networks as Advertising Mediums. To be truly successful, companies need to consider their own Internally grown Marketing Strategy Teams, for real success into the future.
Madison Avenue, has lost total control over Online Branding. Most savvy Business Owners are slowly waking up to the fact that their .com , Business Addresses and the Branding Power they have worked hard to nurture, are sytematically being destroyed by Social sites.
Wnen you hook up with Twitter, Facebook and fully dilute your Branding power by falling pray to Madison Avenues Siren Like calls to Wisely migrate your powerful Brand with theirs, it is tantamount to Advertising suicide.
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
Bill Sweetman says
Hi Andrew,
We have become very bullish about apps here at YummyNames. The number one reason? Over the last year we have been involved in the sale of lots of five and six-figure .com domain sales to startups who want [app-name].com.
Keep those apps coming…!
jp says
@Andrew
Important point: google nor anyone else is indexing the content held at apps, nor could they. The thing that made the Internet was search. No search means domains always higher on the food chain.
Andrew Allemann says
@ jp – very good point
Johnny says
Another thing about pads and smartphones is that bookmarks are becoming obsolete as you access the web on different devices. That makes short/easy-to-remember domains that much more valuable.
And all this Apps, Facebook, etc talk is all hype as far as ecommerce for smaller guys goes. If you are Amazon or Ebay, sure you can make Apps and Facebook work for you. But if you are some niche ecommerce site with $1M-$5M per year in sales, you will get literally zero Apps downloads, and Facebook will be all but useless for you. Your only chance to make anything work is still to have a successful website. And the perfect domain is still the most important ingredient when it comes to your marketing.