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---- Domain appraisal services: Are automated appraisals worth the cost at any price?

WolfLover - 6:13 am on Aug 17, 2006 (gmt 0)


Ok, I'm ready to tell the domain name in question.

Several points:

  • This discussion is about the merits of the Appraisal given by the registrar, not whether or not you "like" the domain name.
  • I came here eager to learn and to see if any experienced domainers had advice for me as to whether or not it is possible to buy a domain name straight from the registrar and it be worth much more than what you paid for it.
  • I asked several questions when I originally posted this thread, most of which was not answered, so I am hoping by taking the chance and throwing my information out there, that perhaps I and others may benefit from the knowledge of those who are more experienced.
  • I am not posting this information in order to gain a sale. I may be able to make more money by using and further developing the website than I would by outright selling it anyway.
  • When I purchased this domain name, I had NO IDEA it would be "appraised" for this high of an amount. I happen to have some knowledge in this particular niche and have purchased quite a few names with this particular niche in mind and none of the others were appraised for more than a few hundred dollars. It was unexpected.

    These are my questions:
    1. Is it possible to still be able to buy domains straight from the registrar and they may really be worth much more than what you paid?

    2. In your opinion and experience, is it better to sit on a valuable domain name, and hope the value rises?

    3. Is one better off keeping a valuable domain name, developing it, getting quality links, and later offer it for sale at a higher price because it should be worth much more with an established website being sold with the domain name?

    4. What price would one put on a domain name with an established website that is earning you X amount of dollars per year? Would you price it at 5 times, 10 times, 20 times your yearly earnings from the site?

    5. What is the best method of selling it IF one wanted to sell it? List it with a domain name selling company? Put a link on it with the for sale information? List it with a domain name auction company?

    6. Doing a search on G for the two keywords in the domain name, it comes up with 2,760,000 results. Is this any part of the supposed value?

    Factors advised in appraisal (according to appraiser):

  • The fewer letters, the better, this one has 8 letters.
  • The fewer words, the better, this one has 2 words.
  • No hypens equal higher value, this one has no hyphens.
  • No numbers equal higher value, this one has no numbers.
  • A .com has a higher value than other TLD's.
  • The more generic the keywords, the higher in value as it will appeal to more buyers, therefore makes the domain name higher in value. This particular domain name does involve a niche, in fact can involve two different niches, I will explain this after the domain name.

    I just purchased this domain name three days ago. I have put up a website just to get it "out there". Please excuse the fact that it is unfinished, as I've not had time to add nearly the content that will be going on it. It's just some ideas I've had in my mind and I got something put up quickly. Anyway, this discussion is not about the merits of design, content, etc. it's about the domain name itself being appraised for a lot of money.

    If it is ok, I will copy and paste the domain appraisal itself to this thread, but I will wait for permission to do so.

    Thank you in advance for any knowledge, advice, experiences, etc. that you may have to offer. It's appreciated. I've been given good advice here at WebmasterWorld and I hope that by giving out this personal information of mine that I may have in some way helped others.

    The domain name is question is:

    www.GothRose.com

    The two niches that can be used for this site are Gothic or Goth and Roses. Those who are into gardening and roses know there are some beautiful gothic roses. Those who are into the goth or gothic scene know that roses are very popular in gothic tattoos, gothic apparel, gothic art, etc.

    My opinion is this. IF and I do mean IF this name IS extremely valuable, IMHO it must be because the keywords are popular in this particular niche, there are quite a few searches.

    Checking the Overture Keyword Suggestion tool it shows that the keyword "goth" was searched for 102,278 times in July 2006. This was for various terms including the keyword "goth". Obviously there are many keyword phrases and other keywords that can be used with a site in this particular niche.

    Ok, now lets hear your opinions and personal experiences. What is your estimation of it's worth? I realize it depends on whether or not anyone would even want a particular domain name and how much they would be willing to pay. Without that, it really does not matter what anything is worth, if noone is willing to pay it's "worth".

    Sorry for the long post, however, I had a lot to say! ;-)

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