Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









What's a Domain Name Really Worth?

Written by: Bill Sweetman

Article Overview: Discover some of the key criteria that make a domain name more valuable than others.

Free Download - 12 Questions You Must Ask Before Doing SEO By Bill Sweetman
Name: Email:

What's a Domain Name Really Worth?

I'm often asked by people who own, or want to own, a domain name to give my opinion on what the "fair market value" of a particular domain name is.

I usually begin my reply by mentioning that the vast majority of domain names sold on the re-sale market go for less than $1,000. This is greeted by sighs of relief from the folks who want to buy a domain name, and gasps of incredulity from the folks who own a domain name: "Well, my domain name is worth much more than that..."

I then outline some (but not all) of the criteria that, in my opinion, make a domain name more valuable than others:

.com extension (versus .net, .org, .ca)
seven-letters or less
no hyphen(s)
easy to read in all lowercase
easy to say and hear (passes the radio test)
easy to type
consists of word(s) found in the dictionary
While these criteria are helpful in order to gain a rough idea of what a domain name might be worth, I always caution people to take this with a grain of salt.

Why?

Quite frankly, there's really only one accurate way to determine the "fair market value" of a domain name: a domain name is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it. Period.

I've seen "$10,000" domain names trade hands for $1,000, and I've seen "$1,000" domain names trade hands for $10,000. In my experience, when it comes to domain names, beauty (and value) really is in the eye of the beholder.

Related Articles
  Importance of Domain Names
  Home Based Internet Business – Why You Need Your Own Domain
  The Biggest Domain Name Myth
  Does Your Domain Name Have a Dirty Secret?
  Transferring an Existing Domain Name

Home > Marketing > Bill Sweetman > Whats a Domain Name Really Worth
Article Tags: dictionary, domain name, domain names, eye of the beholder, fair market value, grain of salt, incredulity, lowercase, radio test, reply, rough idea, seven letters, sighs of relief, trade hands

About the Author: Bill Sweetman
RSS for Bill's articles - Visit Bill's website

Bill Sweetman is one of the Internet marketing industry's most respected authorities and his innovative work over the last 15 years has been recognized by numerous awards, including the prestigious Internet World Impact Award for Communications. Bill has overseen hundreds of Internet marketing campaigns for companies such as Alliance Atlantis Communications, Bell Mobility, CBC, Dupont, General Motors of Canada, Harlequin Enterprises, Hewlett-Packard, Pfizer Canada, and RBC Royal Bank. Bill is a popular speaker at industry conferences, and he is frequently interviewed by the media as an Internet marketing expert. He is also one of the founders of the Canadian New Media Awards, and he has worked as a producer on numerous award-winning Websites. Bill is a regular contributor to various trade publications and blogs, including his own acclaimed Internet marketing blog, Sweetmantra, located at www.sweetmantra.com.

Click here to visit Bill's website Dashed Line

More from Bill Sweetman
12 Questions You Must Ask Before Doing SEO
Defining Success Metrics for Corporate Blogs
The Little Internet Marketing Tactic That Could
Seven Tips for Creating Better Internet Video
10 Facebook Tips for Professionals


Related Forum Posts
URL change URL change - Hi The AnonymousMan, When one has a Domain Name ie URL, I understand, it is not possible to change it. One has to take out a complete new Domain. Is that correct? However, if you can change it, how can you do it? Kindest Regards, Beat "Unlock People's Potentials!"
When choosing a domain. When choosing a domain. - Hi there, What factors are important when choosing a new Domain Name? One needs to be creative and selective to get an attractive name. What challenges have you had in choosing a new Domain Name? Which provider proved to be excellent? I am at the starting point to find a good hosting provider. I guess the choices are immense. Kindest Regards Beat Muelller "Unlock People's Potentials!"
Re: Hello from a San Diego-based marketer Re: Hello from a San Diego-based marketer - Welcome Aaron! Whats the next stage for your business? Ben
Re: New, young entrepreneur Re: New, young entrepreneur - Congrats H20ismyLife! Do you have a website so we can see any of your work? Whats the next step for you?
Re: How Much Do You Need To Start? Re: How Much Do You Need To Start? - In this age of Internet you might start with just $50 or nothing at all. To start an affiliate website with a squeeze page to collect emails you only need to start with this Domain name $9 Hosting $24 PPC to test your niche $17 This is $50. Though you will need to design and upload your site yourself.


Recommended Article for You close

  Importance of Domain Names

Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

In the Year 2020 . . . Process

Paint A Word Picture - Excite Your Customer

How To Improve Your CTA (Call To Action)
Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.