Despite a turbulent year, SnapNames is still #1 for expired domains.
37% of respondents in Domain Name Wire’s third annual domain survey use SnapNames more often than other expired domain catching services. This is the third year in a row that SnapNames had led the charts, despite a very challenging year for the service.
After being acquired by Oversee.net, SnapNames lost key registrars Network Solutions and eNom. The two registrars formed a competing drop catcher called NameJet. The drop in premium inventory may be part of the reason SnapNames fell from 47% of the vote in 2007 to 37% this year.
There are two new services on the charts this year — and one no longer on the list. eNom’s ClubDrop ceased operations as it moved to the NameJet platform. NameJet is used most often by 15% of the domain industry, according to the survey of 841 people. Afternic also joined the expired domain club with domains dropping from Melbourne IT. Afternic took 8% of the vote.
The graph below shows the complete results for 2008. Numbers from prior years do not equal 100% because defunct drop catchers aren’t included.
adam says
Namejet has crushed SnapNames because of the NSI inventory takeover. Sorry Andrew but your respondents are a bit out of synch.
Andrew says
NameJet certainly has the top inventory, but I think a number of people haven’t made the switch yet. The survey includes people that don’t do much in the expired domain market. People that are involved day-to-day (like you) have certainly migrated to NameJet.
I think the one card SnapNames still has that delivers really good domains is Register.com.
Kris says
Nice article! ๐
Usualy im using all off them ๐
Ps. one day ago our national *.pl domain name hit firts 1 million! ๐
Cheers my domainers brothers from all over t he world ๐
Best Regards
Damir says
Very informative post – Thanks