Dan_Warner - 11:50 pm on Nov 19, 2006 (gmt 0)

Hello Everyone,

Webwork has been kind enough to let me post a description and link to a largely academic paper I wrote which analyses the Aftermarket Domain industry and fully explores a lot of the questions that have been addressed in this forum lately.

The paper took me several weeks to write and is a full segmentation and value analysis of the aftermarket for domains, offers potential business development ideas, and encourages a complete restructuring of the way the industry works. I was careful in the paper to be non-promotional and only offered enough opinion with the analysis to keep it from being boring.

I welcome all opinions and fully hope that I can receive some meaningful analysis of the paper from my peers. It is a living document that will change and be improved as time continues with your help. I will forewarn you that it is an intensive document (being 52 pages long). It is not for the feint hearted and I expect only the most serious domainers will read the full paper. However, it is very important to read the full paper before making comments or to try and read something into a particular paragraph.

This document is intentionally segmented. Each segment does not tell the whole story. The document is meant to be read completely to understand the full discourse. Once the full document has been read it is highly encouraged to discuss, challenge and expand on the thoughts it contains. Its purpose is to stimulate discussion at a deeper level than private commercialization.

Please send any comments that are not appropriate to post or are document alteration suggestions to my stickymail account.

Paper Description:

Aftermarket Domains are Rare Assets

The potential list of meaningful domains using a .COM extension that are available for new registration is becoming extremely limited. This is further exacerbated by the continual marketing of .COM domains on every taxi cab, billboard and television advertisement. Realistically the result is a commercial world of domains heavily skewed towards the .COM influence. In contrast the domains that are already registered, "Aftermarket Domains" are rare assets. These assets continue to appreciate and a robust need for these domains (primarily .COM) has developed. New businesses need to be created, distribution channels need to be drastically expanded, and technology needs to be developed. Before any of those things can happen the market must first be critically examined and restructured to rectify the conflict of market forces that are disabling the open market from growing naturally.

This document offers a unique view of the aftermarket domain sales value chain. The benefit of understanding the value chain is gained by achieving a deeper appreciation of the complexities represented in the market. Market forces, personal interests, established norms and primed biases are all influential when a market is formed and maintained. However, there are hiccups along the way that retard growth, causes inefficiencies, and can permanently handicap the industry. Business online is similar to but not the same as traditional business. With that realization come the pitfalls of assuming previous norms and biases as also being true online.

Most thought in business is focused on how products and businesses can be developed but –What is the best way to develop the industry?

I look forward to your comments.

LINK: [aftermarketdomains.com...]

Cheers,

Dan Warner