Saw.com automated appraisals might aid with domain sales

There’s a new domain appraisal tool in town.

There are a lot of complaints about automated domain appraisal systems. It’s difficult to value domain names even when multiple humans weigh-in, and it’s even harder when you only rely on a machine.

But domain brokerage Saw.com is giving it a shot anyway. It launched an appraisal tool today.

It’s built more for end users than domainers and is limited to six searches a day. There’s a lead form on the appraisals for people interested in buying or selling the domains they appraise.

I think this new entrant will be good for domainers. The next time someone shares an automated appraisal with you as a negotiating tactic, you can run it through Saw.com’s tool to see if it gives you a better value to share.

Saw.com’s tool seems to be more generous — and perhaps more accurate — on higher value domains than GoDaddy’s appraisal tool. Like the other tools, it struggles at the low end.

I ran six domains through Saw.com today, and here are the results.

Bobber.com
Saw.com $356,000
GoDaddy: $18,808
Estibot: $256,000.

NameExperts sold this domain for $250,000 last month. Because the sale was public, it’s possible that Saw and Estibot used this value in their valuations.

Gems.com
Saw.com $2.4 million
GoDaddy: more than $25k
Estibot $1.538M.

This is another domain that sold recently, trading hands for $1.5 million. It’s tough to value these high-end domains. GoDaddy’s appraisal is technically accurate but also useless, so it’s nice to have two options that show it as a seven-figure domain.

Shortbread.com
Saw.com: $97,000
GoDaddy: $10,648
Estibot: $70,000

I’m not sure who is the most accurate. GoDaddy’s valuation is less than what I paid for the domain as a domain investor, so if it sells to an end user, it will be close to Estibot’s or Saw.com’s price.

CandyCorn.com
Saw.com $37,000
GoDaddy $6,520
Estibot $28,000

I bought this one off-market so the price isn’t public. Both Saw.com and Estibot are in the neighborhood of my asking price.

LuckyKennels.com
Saw.com < $700
GoDaddy $1,580
Estibot $30

This is the type of domain that’s like throwing darts at a board. It sold for $6,000 on Sedo but easily could have sold for more or less. Everyone struggles valuing this type of domain.

Hearing360.com
Saw.com < $700
GoDaddy $2,639
Estibot $0

This domain sold for $5,100 on Sedo. Like LuckyKennels.com, it isn’t easy to value a name like this.

Next time someone tries to lowball you with an automated appraisal, send it through Saw.com’s tool and see if it gives you a better number that you can share with the buyer.