Old domain is suddenly relevant.
There’s been a bit of buzz lately about the domain name HTML5.com, which was redirected to a page at Apple.com about HTML5. A quick look at the whois shows that Apple did not buy the domain name, but it recently came out of privacy with a new owner’s name. [Update: someone else bought the domain on GoDaddy for $5500 in December.]
Is HTML5.com worth a lot of money? It’s certainly not chump change. That’s why an archive of the site from 1999 (thanks Reddit) is entertaining:
OK, so I might have just spent good money on a name that’ll mean nothing, ‘cos XML might take over, but it’s worth the gamble
This is a perfect example of buying ahead of the curve. Every day new terms enter the fringe lexicon and some of them later go mainstream. For example, the term “blog” wasn’t around during the original 1990s domain name landrush. There are plenty other examples of recently invented terms that may well be worth a lot as a domain name 10 years from now.
(I can’t figure out the original source that spotted that HTML5.com was now redirecting to Apple. If you know, let me know so I can link to it.)
Mike says
XML will never take over. XML is actually dying, if not dead already. JSON is the new kid on the block. Can you tell I hate XML? 🙂
Mike says
Serious, anyone who bought “4G” sites will also be raking it in… 4G is about to explode in 2011.
Terrell says
I picked up HTML6.com at a Dynadot auction this past spring… had to set my alarm for 5am as that is when it ended. Hopefully 10 years from now in 2022, you can interview me after I’ve sold it for enough to expand the ranch.
William says
I picked up 9G.com, an example of buying aheah.
borat says
i can’t do a wait for a new 4H phone that come with a donkey cam
Francois says
Ah ah … Smart purchase Terrell, drop me a note in 2022 and I will offer you the sponsored headline if I have not still sold domaining.com and retired in some hot paradise … LOL
j says
i believe html5.com sold for $5500
Andrew Allemann says
@ j – you’re right, I looked it up. thanks
DR.DOMAIN says
I do this with holidays.Resorts & club promoters plan big events every year around every major holiday.
Mike C says
was that $5,500 sale via GoDaddy this past December (as in less than a month ago)? if so, hell of a buy imo. just learned about HTML5 about 2 weeks ago and that seems like a solid buy
Poor Uncle says
What’s html5? Pardon my ignorance.
TechTom says
I agree that $5500.00 was too low, but how much do you think it was worth?
Seems like a lot of these technology names get a lot of traffic with techs and developers. Hard to put a price on them I guess.