Kassey Lee explains the process he went through when evaluating an expired domain for purchase.
I was watching Godaddy Auctions today and found the expiring domain YogaYoung.com. Since “yoga” is a popular keyword, I decided to look into this domain.
First, I checked LinkedIn but found no company using the name “Yoga Young”. Google search gave no hope either.
However, dotDB, a site that shows registered domains containing a word/second level domain, reported 12 matches. dotDB has a nice feature I like — the matches have links. By installing the Snap Links extension to my Firefox browser, I can open the links and check their websites all at once.
The result was the discovery of two operating websites: YogaYoungistan.com and YogaYoung.cn.
Since YogaYoungistan.com already matches its brand Yoga Youngistan, there is no motivation for the company to change its domain to YogaYoung.com which is not brand-matching after all.
Nevertheless, YogaYoung.cn looked promising at first because Chinese companies like to upgrade from .cn to .com.
The home page design paints a solid company and the photos show a professional team and active yoga classes. However, even if you don’t read Chinese, you can see the name “Maya Yoga” prominently displayed at several locations. Thus, we can conclude that Maya Yoga is their brand and therefore upgrade from YogaYoung.cn to YogaYoung.com is unlikely because they are not brand-matching.
Based on this research, I decided not to acquire YogaYoung.com because I could not find any potential end users for it.
Ankit Puri says
Hi Kasey,
Thanks for sharing this information. I lately accquired few domains which have a .cn operating domains and brand matching too. Could you please advise the best way to reach descision makers. Few domains I acquired are
UUQG.com and .cn has plastic recyling company site.
QIVJ.com and .cn has news site.
Ankit Puri says
Hope to hear from you soon
Kassey Lee says
I would try Linkedin, or get email address from their site and write to them directly.
BullS says
Hi Kasey,
Same here too
I own zlby dot com but the company in china using the dot net is wanting to low ball me.
Maybe you can educate them the value of dot com.
Kassey Lee says
If they continue to grow and do not change their brand, then they have to come to you and pay dearly. Patience is a virtue.
Elie says
Hello Drew, in my opinion, I think you should have acquired the domain name, because if another company in China decided to name their startup YogaYoung.com, they may decide to go with the dotcom. Secondly, Yoga and Young are two commonly used worlds in Asia and Europe. Thirdly, Yoga-Young is good marketing words that represent lively, vibrant & health.
Kassey Lee says
That’s the beauty of investing. Each investor values a domain differently. Good luck with it.
Alan Built says
Forget about the questionable trademark infringement to make a couple hundred, it’s a good domain without looking for others already using that brand; Yoga and Young go together: “Yoga keeps you young” “Yoga to stay young” “Yoga for the young at heart” etc. etc. http://www.yogayoung.com
Alan Built says
A few youtube examples to prove my point:
https://youtu.be/0KCZ3hx9qOc
https://youtu.be/doTXrr9HGso
Kassey Lee says
Same. That’s the beauty of investing. Each investor values a domain differently. Good luck with it.
paul says
Great insight and exactly how one should go about identifying names.
Then you must decide if Yoga is well paying vertical. Like a small bed and breakfast joint or some one selling yarn. Follow the money.
Nice article.
Kassey Lee says
True, We must evaluate the commercial nature of a domain and assess its value to the potential buyers.