A look at current trends in domain names.
What are the hottest trends in domain names right now? Where are things headed south? Here’s a quick look.
—–What’s HOT—–
Four character domains – I’m not sure why everyone is jumping on this bandwagon. But it’s never pretty when most of the sales are between domainers. Do yourself a favor: unless the four character domain you’re buying is an acronym for several organizations or is a word, leave it on the table.
Domain auctions – it seems like everyone and their mom is offering domain auctions these days. The market is getting cluttered, making it harder to have a successful auction. Here’s a hint to companies wishing to start auction services: you need both sellers and buyers.
“Error Redirect Services” – many of the major computer manufacturers and ISPs offer these “services” now, which essentially show you a page of ads when you typo a domain. And sense most generic domains are registered, these services just capture trademark typos. It’s worth mentioning that two of the companies that do this — DELL (NASDAQ: DELL) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) — are members of the Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse.
.Mobi – seriously? People are still on this bandwagon?
Domain scams – we’ve seen the resurgence of the domain appraisal scam and a new one from the US Copyright Registry.
GeoDomains – everyone wants geo. I happen to own a few hundred, if you’re interested.
“Get Rich Quick with Domains” – the internet marketing world is starting to rev up the domain riches engine. Courses, clubs, ebooks.
—–What’s NOT—–
Domain parking – from Yahoo abritrage to Google opt-out, this is one part of the industry that’s taking a big hit. Parking profits were driving investor domain purchases, so this could trickle down in a hurry.
Domain auctions – I realize this was in the hot section too. But the last few domain auctions have been less than stellar. Or maybe my expectations were to high. But Sedo’s auctions last month didn’t produce the results of previous auctions, and neither did Moniker’s. There are a number of factors at play here, but some of it may have to do with the auction overload mentioned in the “hot” section.
Trademark domains and typos – dude, those were so earlier this decade. Unless you enjoy getting hit with $100,000 judgements.
Senator Olympia Snowe – do I really need to say why?
Network Solutions – when was the last time NSI was hot? I don’t know, but it’s “customer service protection measure” and ensuing lawsuit aren’t going to change things.
Domain Kiting – the party may be over soon, if ICANN actually follows through.
Andrew,
Although not a member of CADNA, Time Warner (RoadRunner) is pulling the “error redirect service” too.
Good list.
@ Stuart – yes, I have an article on it here.
Thanks!
Andrew,
Don’t forget “development!” I’d put it in the hot category.
Chris – Thanks, that’s a good one. I’m going to do an article on how to rapidly develop content sites.
Alltel also is redirecting mistypes.
They just started, as far as I am aware of, in the last two or three months.
It really takes due diligence, a lot of research and some big bucks to really make money in the domain name industry.
It only takes less than $10 to buy a domain so why buy one costing hundreds or thousands from an auction or because it is a four character domain?
Anyone Bidding on the .asia names? perhaps if the bidders communicated we could all save some money. just a thought. im open to proposals.
I bit hard on this .MOBI thing.I can only hope that despite the recent article in here about AA going with .COM for it’s mobile site…that the .MOBI extension get some traction.(nervous laugh)
What’s Hot: ICA
Phil and Michael have become our most effective line of defense to stave off these 21st Century Barbarians at the Gate – and they are doing a great job of it.
@ Bryan – I believe that is illegal
@ Dr Domain – AA is just one example, although I do believe current market prices are highly speculative. But if you want more bad news, consider that CNN doesn’t resolve CNN.mobi, even though they own it. You have to type in CNN.com to go to the mobile site. And we know that CNN understands domains (e.g. iReport.com)
@ David – good one that I missed. And the ICA’s work has really just begun.
Andrew,
Your “Do yourself a favor:’ exhotation on less-than-stellar 4-Chars (I note you didn’t actually say 4-Ls, but you did mention acronyms)… is courageous. At a time when most money managers would kill for 10% over 12 months, I’d have thought you could suggest to them that careful arbitrage of ‘low-lev’ 4-Ls across various forums etc. could help them hit that elusive 10% mark. Buy at $50 and sell at $60 = gravy-train boom times for those poor souls. So why the ‘downer’ advice ? – share the joy with the needy ! 🙂
over 99.9percent of the domain names are worthless,i have paid for 5000 since yr 2000,mostly geo names and sold a few at 10000 or above.
there are so many stories of owners making hundreds each week for ppc on the craziest typins and then promoting a book.It is pure fiction,ppc pays cents, hardly worth the effort, at some point this will be ever lower
as browsers realise most parking sites are too general
@ Ida – my point is that they aren’t worth the money. So if you’re buying at $50 and selling at $60, you’re hoping for someone to be a sucker. That works sometimes, like condos in Miami did a couple years ago. People bought them only to sell to the next investor. Works great, until you get stuck holding the bag.
“I’m going to do an article on how to rapidly develop content sites.”
Andrew,
Please fast-track that article.
Pretty please with sugar on top.
Patrick
“Ida – my point is that they aren’t worth the money.”
Andrew, you’ve gone all serious on me. OK, wait a moment and I’ll put on my serious hat. There, that’s better. Now … that quote from you in line 1 is another of those ‘courageous’ declarations which will probably give you pause for reflection in the future. I recall well a similar discussion some 6-7 years ago when a colleague had just sold 20 or so of those ‘worthless’ LLL.coms for about $100 each. You know, the ones that now never bring less than $XXXX. Sure, 26 times more 4Ls, but the sense of dejaVu is powerful from this end. Whimsical hat back on.
@ Ida – you know what’s great about this disagreement? If I’m right, then I can say “I told you so.” If I’m wrong, then I can take my four character domains and laugh all the way to the bank. It’s a win-win 🙂
@ Patrick – working on it…
“It’s a win-win”
Andrew, you’ve got to understand that I’m bitter and twisted inside because I only picked up 200 of the buggers at reg. fee when the door was wide open. Same back in the early days, I registered my first dot com in ’93 (still have it), BUT then ‘went to sleep’ for about 6 years and missed the BIG boat. Still, I smile through the tears. 🙂
@ Ida – I certainly understand that. I didn’t get in in ’93, but have my share of “woulda, shoulda, coulda” moments.
I’ve learned to look at it this way: don’t look at what you missed out on, look at what you’ve got!!
@ Patrick — see my new article “How to Develop your Domain Names – Fast”