53 replies
Just for the sake of fun and beign able to discuss what you think domains are worth, I started this thread. Please give your honest opinion about domains. Feel free to list any of your domains on here as well.

So here is one to kick things off with :

harrypotteronlinegames.net
#appraisals #domain
  • Profile picture of the author dtommy79
    For me it's worth $0

    I don't think it's possible to appraise a domain name, unless it's a good 1 word domain, but we know they are all taken.

    it's always worth what it's worth for the buyer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Dean
    Domains are only worth what they cost at Godaddy. $10 or less.
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    Why does it seem as if every 3 letter combination sells for thousands?
    It seems any 3 letter\bumer combo gets thousands.
    I just saw a few domains zbh.com - 3300+$ & tqx.com 3400+$ ...
    What's the logic?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      Why does it seem as if every 3 letter combination sells for thousands?
      It seems any 3 letterbumer combo gets thousands.
      I just saw a few domains zbh.com - 3300+$ & tqx.com 3400+$ ...
      What's the logic?
      The logic is that these names can abbreviate for companies and are good for branding. They are also easy to remember. Telling someone to remember a three word domain is harder than just saying a three letter domain.

      Fb.com sold for $8.5 million to facebook recently. type in fb.com and you will be redirected to facebook.
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      • Profile picture of the author theresagas
        Originally Posted by FreshDomains View Post

        The logic is that these names can abbreviate for companies and are good for branding. They are also easy to remember. Telling someone to remember a three word domain is harder than just saying a three letter domain.

        Fb.com sold for $8.5 million to facebook recently. type in fb.com and you will be redirected to facebook.
        If i know this fb is so much value, then i would buy it in advance for the last 12 years and now be a millionair
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    • Profile picture of the author Zachmo
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      Why does it seem as if every 3 letter combination sells for thousands?
      It seems any 3 letterbumer combo gets thousands.
      I just saw a few domains zbh.com - 3300+$ & tqx.com 3400+$ ...
      What's the logic?
      easy to stick into people's minds.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      Why does it seem as if every 3 letter combination sells for thousands?
      It seems any 3 letterbumer combo gets thousands.
      I just saw a few domains zbh.com - 3300+$ & tqx.com 3400+$ ...
      What's the logic?
      Scarcity. There are only so many 3-letter domain names. They are extremely appealing to businesses that have matching initials.
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  • Profile picture of the author iansinfo
    domain names are only worth what you are prepared to pay for them For me thats about $10
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by iansinfo View Post

      domain names are only worth what you are prepared to pay for them For me thats about $10
      For some businesses they are willing to shell out hundreds, thousands, and even millions for some names.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

    Just for the sake of fun and beign able to discuss what you think domains are worth, I started this thread. Please give your honest opinion about domains. Feel free to list any of your domains on here as well.

    So here is one to kick things off with :

    harrypotteronlinegames.net
    First off .com is king.
    Secondly, this violates a trademark (Harry Potter)
    Thirdly, there are very few people who want to own a website with harry potter online games so there is not a large pool of endusers to sell to.
    Fourth, this might have the possibility of selling and it does have value but it is not something you could flip quick. All you need is to find one buyer who finds it valuable though. I did just check and it is getting a few thousand exact searches per month which is nice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim_Myth
    IMO, a domain is worth what you are willing to pay for it. I have no interest in a name like harrypotteronlinegames so it is worth $0 to me. If I liked Harry Potter, it might be worth something to me. But in this case it is more a hobby domain.

    On the other hand you have domains as a legitimate business investment. If I am fairly sure I can make $10,000+ a year from widgets.com, that domain is worth several thousand to me. The trick is being able to estmate your income. If widgets.com only turns out to make $100 a year, I will have grossly overpaid for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    that's not trademark infringement. Just because there is a brand name harry potter, they don't own every combination with those words in it.
    If it were only harrypotter.net, then I would see your point.

    Last thing, when you rate a domain, it's supposed to be objective. Obviously very few people give a rat's rear end about harry potter, but for the sake of appraisals, simply give an estimate.
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    • Profile picture of the author Doug Wakefield
      harrypotteronlinegames.net would surely have them in the order that matters.

      Here is the point I am going to make. I am not going to take a chance with that domain simply because J.K. Rowling owns all the trademarks for the brand, and if she were to have her lawyers come knocking for the website... that is trouble I do not want or need.

      IT does seem from looking, that she, nor Warner Brothers seemingly go after other domains, but it doesn't mean that they cannot change their mind and become more aggressive later. This wouldn't be the first time.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      that's not trademark infringement. Just because there is a brand name harry potter, they don't own every combination with those words in it.
      If it were only harrypotter.net, then I would see your point.

      Last thing, when you rate a domain, it's supposed to be objective. Obviously very few people give a rat's rear end about harry potter, but for the sake of appraisals, simply give an estimate.
      Yes they do because the name is within it. If you had the domain: FacebookGames.com do you think you could get away with it. Or maybe TheFacebookNetwork.com ....
      it violates TM but all that matters is if the company actually cares.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      that's not trademark infringement. Just because there is a brand name harry potter, they don't own every combination with those words in it.
      If it were only harrypotter.net, then I would see your point.

      Last thing, when you rate a domain, it's supposed to be objective. Obviously very few people give a rat's rear end about harry potter, but for the sake of appraisals, simply give an estimate.
      Quite a few have given you an estimate. It's not worth reg fee IMO. You couldn't give it to me.

      You are dead wrong about trademark infringement. It most certainly is a trademark infringement and if they want to, they could take it from you or even sue you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      that's not trademark infringement. Just because there is a brand name harry potter, they don't own every combination with those words in it.
      Absolutely incorrect. It IS trademark infringement.
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    • Profile picture of the author Meharis
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      that's not trademark infringement. Just because there is a brand name harry potter, they don't own every combination with those words in it.
      If it were only harrypotter.net, then I would see your point.

      Last thing, when you rate a domain, it's supposed to be objective. Obviously very few people give a rat's rear end about harry potter, but for the sake of appraisals, simply give an estimate.
      Go ahead and register that domain.
      Sbucciarel explained exactly how it's. Unless you want to send some lawyers money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Slickest
    yes. i would avoid that one as well.
    But domains are worth a lot to the right person ... You'd be surprised. Just need to find an END user.
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    So, what do I need to do in order to put these domains up for auction? Simply click it? Is there a fee? Something special to do for more people to see them? Does anyone know how it works in GoDaddy? I would rather learn from another warrior's experience than from my own mistakes.
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  • Profile picture of the author MESophie
    I think these things are hard to value, because it is the value added that I believe counts
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    Lol, I think I'm getting addicted to this whole domain thing...
    Anyways, I just registed a domain for 1.99$ (couldn't resist the price).
    The domain is - isense.info - your thoughts?
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    lol, sounds like an army of lawyers should be headed my way by now.
    So, if fb.com is for facebook, does that mean I can't register the following domain (example) - halfbomb.com ?:rolleyes:
    I mean seriously, if it is such a big deal, they should have some warning or ban ir from ever being sold. Another thing, GoDaddy is totally liable as well, as they enable this to happen.

    Before all you guys blast me with comments (which I must say are worth the 2$ I spend each time:p), has anyone actually heard of a serious case in court over domain infringement? A sentnece? Jail time? Monetary fees?

    Seriously....all I own is a name, not a site, nothing...
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  • Profile picture of the author Lou Diamond
    Hello,
    I have this 4 letter domain name:
    ebks.com
    it is short for ebooks, I have had it for years.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by Lou Diamond View Post

      Hello,
      I have this 4 letter domain name:
      ebks.com
      it is short for ebooks, I have had it for years.
      That is actually a pretty decent one.
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  • Profile picture of the author VOnline
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    But I jsut own the domain name...there's not even a static page to it, so what can they claim? I only bought the name, haven't done anything yet...no misrepresentation, no one is coming to me instead of them....It's not as if they were shopping for that domain...
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      But I jsut own the domain name...there's not even a static page to it, so what can they claim? I only bought the name, haven't done anything yet...no misrepresentation, no one is coming to me instead of them....It's not as if they were shopping for that domain...
      As long as you don't do anything with the domain, you're probably safe. But this domain will only have value to someone who wants to build a site and monetize it somehow - and it'd be hard to find value in a domain that clearly has so much potential to get someone in legal trouble (when building a site with it), don't you think?

      I wouldn't even bother with trying to sell this, especially at an auction or open marketplace, as it'd just be a waste of your time and money.

      Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author JWatson
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      But I jsut own the domain name...there's not even a static page to it, so what can they claim? I only bought the name, haven't done anything yet...no misrepresentation, no one is coming to me instead of them....It's not as if they were shopping for that domain...
      Yes as long as you own it and do nothing with it, there is no risk (but also no point).
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie888
        Originally Posted by JWatson View Post

        Yes as long as you own it and do nothing with it, there is no risk (but also no point).
        That was exactly what I was trying to point out above - why would anyone want to buy a domain that they couldn't do anything with (without getting into legal trouble)? It's essentially worthless to the end user as a result.
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  • Profile picture of the author sumopub
    Domain appraisals are worthless.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by sumopub View Post

      Domain appraisals are worthless.
      Yes, they sometimes are because it is only really worth what someone is willing to pay. Someone might throw a number out there just to throw a number out but they don't know if the end user will actually pay that amount. Sometimes you will come across end users who say "that domain is worthless" yet you contact some more end users who buy it from you for hundreds. You never know.
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    So, I remember someone saying that pretty much any 3 letter domain is worth a pretty penny. Would you say that is true? With any extension?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      So, I remember someone saying that pretty much any 3 letter domain is worth a pretty penny. Would you say that is true? With any extension?
      Well not necessarily every extension. I would say .com, .net, .org 3 letter names are pretty good.
      Otherwise they are all okay. Here is a nice summary taken from 3Character.com:

      Pricing Guide for 3-Letter (Composed Of Letters Only) Domains:

      Current Observed Minimum Wholesale Price (regardless of letter combo) as of January 15, 2011:

      3-Letter .com - $4550 (Unchanged) (See Related Commentary on Front Page)
      3-Letter .net - $400 (Unchanged)
      3-Letter .org - $205 (+ $10 since December 15, 2010 report)
      3-Letter .info - $40 (Unchanged)
      3-Letter .biz - $20 (Unchanged)
      3-Letter .us - $30 (Unchanged)
      3-Letter .mobi - Reg Fee (Unchanged)


      It really depends on which letters they are too. If they are a word they are obviously worth more. Also they should be letters that would abbreviate a company name so that they have more value. There was a list of premium letters vs. nonpremium but I can't remember where I saw it. It is basically vowels and consonants that start the most words. For example not a lot of words will start with Z but a lot start with C or A or B or D ... I think you get it.
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      • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
        Originally Posted by FreshDomains View Post

        Here is a nice summary taken from 3Character.com:

        Pricing Guide for 3-Letter (Composed Of Letters Only) Domains:

        Current Observed Minimum Wholesale Price (regardless of letter combo) as of January 15, 2011:

        3-Letter .com - $4550 (Unchanged) (See Related Commentary on Front Page)
        3-Letter .net - $400 (Unchanged)
        3-Letter .org - $205 (+ $10 since December 15, 2010 report)
        3-Letter .info - $40 (Unchanged)
        3-Letter .biz - $20 (Unchanged)
        3-Letter .us - $30 (Unchanged)
        3-Letter .mobi - Reg Fee (Unchanged)

        Do you have something similar for 4-letter domains?
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      • Profile picture of the author JWatson
        Some domain names are worth a lot. Didn't sex.com go for $1M? (not quite sure)

        Typically valuable (and legal use of) domain names occur when someone had the foresight/luck to grab a domain name before it became a hot topic.

        I used to do a lot of work with copyright and trademark, though I'm not an attorney...meaning my "legal" advice isn't. :rolleyes:

        Nevertheless, all of the advice/caution about not stepping on trademarks is exactly right.

        Although I suppose one could grab certain domain names and sell them to those who fail to understand the swarm of stinging lawyers and subsequent court action destined to ensue for anyone trying to actually use a trademarked domain name.

        Let's run an experiment! How about we all chip-in and each donate $10 so someone can buy a domain name that would be viewed as trademark protected and one of the doubters can commercialize it (or even use it in a non-profit manner) and then seen what happens. :p

        One of the core concepts of trademark protection is whether the word/phrase/slogan/name is such that it would reasonably cause confusion among the public as to the owner of the mark.

        Although you could legally change your name to "Harry Potter" and then have an interesting shot at using that domain. Even then though, I'm guessing you'd get to know the court system pretty well.
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    Holy smokes, I even seen short domains with a combination of letters and a number in them selling for 20K$. For example, the domain hd2.com is now on sale for 20K$ on GoDaddy. Would any 3 cahracter domain like this be wroth a lot? I've found a few available.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

      the domain hd2.com is now on sale for 20K$ on GoDaddy.
      Things can be "on sale for $20k" and still change hands for $1k, hello: don't confuse "asking price" with "value" ...
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      • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        Things can be "on sale for $20k" and still change hands for $1k, hello: don't confuse "asking price" with "value" ...
        Of course, however this one was "appraised" by whoever does such things...:confused: It has some special stamp next to it....so I'm not just spewing numbers here amigo
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

          I'm not just spewing numbers here amigo
          Actually you are, to be blunt, but they're someone else's numbers next to a "special stamp", and you imagine that the fact that it was "appraised" by someone confers some sort of "objectivity" or "reality" on it. It really doesn't, at all.

          Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

          It has some special stamp next to it
          Yes indeed. Call me a skepchick, but do you think that maybe the "some special stamp" is designed to make people imagine that there's some sort of "objectivity" or "reality" about the "appraisal"?

          It's "worth" what it can be sold for: no more and no less.
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  • Profile picture of the author sayu88
    Appraisals are only what someone is willing to pay. The hard part is finding that someone. I've had domain names - short sweet ones - that never received a request for purchase. I have though gotten multiple requests for bidding on domains similar to some I own. I don't put much value on just the domain name unless it connects directly to an online marketing strategy.
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  • Profile picture of the author TPFLegionaire
    GRC is an acronym in my industry (Governance,risk and compliance)

    GRC.net just sold for 10000$ to a company that has nothing to do with my industry but has a rather matching company name.

    So...finding the right client can really pump up the value of a domain

    you could take a look at sedo.com to see what kind of domains are fetching what kind of prices.

    Best of success in your domain buying.

    Oh...and please really do listen to Gene and ssbucciarel...They do know a thing or two about domains...as for Fresh domains...the clue is in his name

    "A bon entendeur , salut !"
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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      Originally Posted by TPFLegionaire View Post

      you could take a look at sedo.com to see what kind of domains are fetching what kind of prices.
      Another good place to see what domains are going for is
      Half Million Dollar Sale at Sedo - 2011's Biggest Deal to Date - Headlines This Week's Action in the Aftermarket
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    • Profile picture of the author Segeant
      Perhaps adding your domain your domain manger's auction system and see what it goes for.

      I cam across a domain name wjam which was considered I think the ower is lokking for thousand of dollars for, I simply added a s infornt of it in a godaddy serach and wala wjams.com was available for $11 per year

      I own it at the moment and just using it as a link directly until I decide what I will do with it.

      I can use wjams as an acronym for many word variations....:rolleyes:

      Small letter sites appear to be more value and more marketable unless its a catchy phase that will stick in the minds of a person link a song
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
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  • Profile picture of the author sansam
    you can just try to reach and get domain name appraisal at cheap cost.You can get the domain name appraisal here webpolecom , full service web hosting packages. and also get the hosting,domain name register, domain appraisal, online file folder, ssl certificate etc.. hope its helpful.....
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