What would you do if you owned a domain name that a software developer was after?

[FlightGuy]

Back in January I grabbed up Tw*e*etFol*low.com as it was available and figured it would be a good name to invest in. I figured that when I made time for it, I'd eventually develop it into something Twitterish.

Recently, a developer created an iPhone application for Twitter called Tw*e*et Fol*low. He's contacted me to make me aware of his interest in my domain and made an offer in his second email. The offer was low, and so I thought about bringing this to the forums.

I already know what I want out of this, but was wondering what you guys would set your minimum price point at based on the situation? I'm starting to second guess my own price point and thought that I'd ask you what you'd do. The site doesn't see much traffic, but it's only a blank page with absolutely no on page SEO. We're talking 10-30 unique visits a day, and I'm guessing it's traffic generated from people picking up the app and assuming theres a website.

So my question is, what would you sell this website for?

[pavondunbar]

Flight Guy:

You can try to have the domain name appraised...a lot of times that helps out when setting a valuation for a domain name....

The domain doesn't have to have webpages connected to it...as long as you own it you can have it parked for as long as you want...

If you don't have the money to pay for an appraisal, then you and this developer can negotiate a resonable price that will make both of you happy.

Notice what I said...

...both of you happy!

Not just him, not just you, but the both of you.

Me, personally...

I would invest in an appraisal first from a reputable domain name appraiser...

That way you have a leg to stand on when he questions why you want the price that you're asking for the domain.

Hope this helps and good luck with your transaction!

Pavon

[reynald2790]

Yes, I do agree with Pavondunbar that you should do an appraisal with your website. Because if you do appraisal with your website it will look better. And if it will be develop it will be more viewable by visitors.

[alexei_aus]

if you sell it short, you will be biting your elbows when this domain becomes popular...
sell it for what you think its worth, no what dnscoop tells you

[ExRat]

Hi,

It's worth pointing out that domain appraisal services are notoriously scammy - personally, I see no reason to use one, and if you think about it, what exactly are these people going to do to accurately appraise your domain value that you can't do yourself? Think about it - unless they have systems that analyze massive data on previous sales and current trends - they are probably going to do the same as you - think of a figure that sounds about right.

Sure, if we are talking seven figure domains, then it's worth spending five figures with real professionals to get the right price.

Summary - be very careful with domain appraisal companies - and anyone recommending using one to someone, should really be aware of all the scams and add a disclaimer to their recommendation.

[FlightGuy]

Roger,

Thank you for pretty much summing up my thoughts as I read previous comments to this thread. Although I appreciate an honest recommendation, I don't think going through an appraisal company would be a good direction to take in this situation, as you pointed out. With that, thank you Pavon and Reynald for your honest suggestions.

As it stands now, I'm waiting on a response from him, hoping that he makes a higher offer.

[ExRat]

Hi,

One of the most important considerations regards whether you hold out for max value, and specifically, you need to research whether the domain is the ONE single domain that is going to achieve their aim - OR if there are alternatives that are just as good, or almost as good, which are either available or available to buy from people with less knowledge or a greater need for cash now.

It's just as uncomfortable to undersell a domain and watch it develop into a monster, as it is to hold out for the max and find that your tenacity causes the buyer to look harder elsewhere and find an alternative that suits their needs.

Obviously, if you are getting healthy offers already you really should be researching and buying up anything similar or related that springs to mind from your discovery that your current domain is in demand.

Best of luck.

[Bruce Wedding]

Don't get greedy. Back in 1999, I had a domain called saladbar.com (I see it's not currently developed). I was contacted by a salad bar restaurant chain that wanted it. They offered me $5,000.

I got stupid, thinking they would pay anything being a large corporation and replied, "I wouldn't take less than $15,000 for it."

This "corporate officer" replied back, "F*&k you, Bruce!" and that was the end of it. I kept it a few more years and never had another offer. I finally ebayed it for $125.

[4morereferrals]

Sell it for a portion of their sales [ like an affiliate ] up to your price and then you're paid.

Performance based incentive. You get paid as they get paid - so they arent taking a flyer on the domain names expense.