Domain names

[mcmx]

Anyone here know much about buying or selling domain names?

Do you think sites like Estibot are good for appraising?

There's a .ca domain I really want for my shop/website for my products, but it's taken. The page isn't even being used for anything at all. It's 1 word (real word), 5 letters. Estibot valued it at $1,100. The .co domain is valued at $170 which I'm leaning towards. (owned by someone different)

Has anyone used a domain broker before to purchase one?

[Artann]

an actual 5 letters/word domain will run you in thousands. Last time I tried to one a domain like this (about a year ago) I was quoted something close $75000!

[mcmx]

Originally Posted by Artann

an actual 5 letters/word domain will run you in thousands. Last time I tried to one a domain like this (about a year ago) I was quoted something close $75000!

Was it a .com domain?

If I wanted the .com version of the word, it's appraised by Estibot at $218,000. I'm no expert but maybe the .ca and .co ones aren't valued as much?

[aspkin]

GoDaddy domain auctions is a good start for domain hunting. If you purchase a domain through a 3rd party use escrow.com. Single word .com domains are rare and so they're expensive.

[Artann]

Originally Posted by mcmx

Was it a .com domain?

If I wanted the .com version of the word, it's appraised by Estibot at $218,000. I'm no expert but maybe the .ca and .co ones aren't valued as much?

Yes, it was .com
Hoarding domains is huge business
.ca will be cheaper
.co is relatively new and a lot of ppl in my experience think that you forgot M and they automatically type .coM instead of .co

[jeffweico]

There are also a TON of new top level domains becoming available. They have them for politics, religion, every type of business, etc.

I think that a few years ago, it made all the difference in the world to have the best .com domain you could find. And there is no question that you could make a ton of money with something like Christmas.com or Business.com - but those are million dollar domains.

Nowadays, I don't think it is quite so important. More important is the site content and how you market the site. I would also prefer to have shirts.GOP as a domain name, rather than tshirtsforrepublicans.com. So, I wouldn't overpay to a domain name squatter.

But I deal in niches anyway, so I am usually not opposed to a 2 or 3 word .com domain.