Is it worth keeping a domain just because it is in the dictionary?

Old domain I'm not using

[CrimsonGirl]

Is it worth keeping a domain just because it is in the dictionary?

I've had this domain for about 10 years and never developed it. It's 9 letters and a .com.

It is a word in the English dictionary. Not a common word and most people don't know what it means, but it is in the dictionary.

People used to say dictionary words were worth something, but I wonder if those days are over. Should I keep this domain or let it expire? I don't think I can sell it. It's been at a domain parking place for a while and gets hardly any visits.

[tangor]

How deep are your pockets?'

There are dictionary words that nobody knows, but can be made a BRAND if one makes the effort.

Is it this kind of word? Trip off the tongue? Have a neat meaning, even obtuse meaning?

These days, and some registrars, keeping a few in reserve isn't that expensive... unless you're holding on to two--- three--- hundred... er... thousand!

[n0tSEO]

If you don't know what to make of the domain, you can still try to sell it where someone may get an interest in it, like Digitalpoint or Sedo or other forums relate to domain buying and selling.

However, if the dictionary word is about something you do or like, you can still build a website around it and turn it into a brand.

[rocker]

Instead of letting it expire try putting it in an auction with no reserve.

[tangor]

It's been at a domain parking place for a while and gets hardly any visits.

Meant to comment on this earlier.... The above is not indicative of the potential value of a "word". Domain Parking is not usually the first place anyone starts a search. :)

Renew it one more year and use that year to actually think about what to do with it, how it might be promoted, how it might be turned into a site with the potential to brand.

You've had it ten years, one more won't hurt!

[CrimsonGirl]

I don't think developing a site is a good option.

I already own a site in this industry. For my main keyword phrase (not the word with the .com I own, but a related 2-word phrase), my site ranks in the top 4 in both Google and Bing SERPS. There are plenty of advertisers for this phrase (at least 8 on AdWords), and when someone clicks on one of my AdSense ads, the payout is typically over $2/click.

However, the traffic level is very low and I usually get less than $10/month from this site from AdSense. It's a true niche area - advertisers willing to pay for customers, but few customers.

I just hate paying the reg fee every year and knowing the development value of this domain is low. On the other hand, there are many people out there with large domain portfolios who don't have even one dictionary word dot comm. So I hate letting it go for no money.

[RedBar]

So I hate letting it go for no money.

I understand where you're coming from and over the last few years I have let go of names I have had since the mid 90s however I had to accept that I was never going to get round to developing them.

The interesting thing is that nearly all were snapped up immediately and put up for sale at silly money, a few years later and they're all still for sale at the same money and most have had no offers whatsoever.

Why not create a unique single splash page with links to your main site, it may get traffic, it may not, but at least you'll have a contented mind that it is being put to possibly good use.

[lucy24]

If someone wanted the name, you would have received an offer. So the real question is: Is it worth $10/year-- or whatever your registrar charges-- for the satisfaction of knowing that the domain-name dragons will never, ever get hold of it? Sure, some human out there might have fun with the name too. But they'll never get the chance, so no need to think about them.

snapped up immediately and put up for sale at silly money, a few years later and they're all still for sale at the same money and most have had no offers whatsoever

You don't have to sell all of them. You only have to turn over about 1% a year to break even. And you will never find a domain appraised at anything less than, oh, $1000/year. Not even the site where your grandparents post pictures of their pets on vacation.

I am always surprised when I look up a domain name and find it's been deleted and is now available. Did someone look at the name and decided it isn't even worth the minimal cost of keeping it off the market? Or did it just fall through the cracks?

[RedBar]

Devil's Advocate time ... Most names are not worth anywhere near what their owners believe them to be, the odd high-priced sale is one thing however anyone watching recent auctions knows that a lot of people are sitting there with crossed fingers hoping to divest themselves.

Just look at places like Sedo and see the thousands of names for sale that have never, ever had an offer for them, many of these people have totally unrealistic expectations for their names.

If one hasn't already registered ones company domain name, where the heck have you been for the past 20+ years? If you're a new business think creatively, loads of names are still available at regular cost.

Sure, a "sexy" name may look good however a unique, quality, branded name site will outrank a load of garbage on said sexy name any day.

[tangor]

I don't think developing a site is a good option.

I already own a site in this industry. For my main keyword phrase (not the word with the .com I own, but a related 2-word phrase)

In which case, this name might become a competitor? Then it's a no brainer to retain it! Protect your existing site by preventing a near, or close, domain name from competing with your bread and butter.