Where to Sell .XXX Domain Names

Elliot Silver
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89

Every time a new domain extension becomes available for the general public to purchase, domain investors always want to know where they can sell the domain names they just purchased. This morning, someone asked “Where/how can i sell or auction a .xxx domain that i don’t want?”

Here are a few suggestions:

Sedo.com   – There’s an adult section called “XXX – Adult,” and I am pretty sure they will permit .XXX domain names to be listed in that section.  I am awaiting confirmation.

Afternic – Although .XXX is currently not included in the drop down menu of extensions, I would imagine Afternic will permit .XXX domain sales, since there are other adult related domain names on the site. I am awaiting confirmation, since they currently do not permit .XXX listings.

DN Forum – There is a section on DNF for adult domain sales, and there may be a separate .XXX section opening up. Perhaps Adam Dicker will open DNForum.XXX 🙂

NamePros – There is an adult sales forum and there’s also a .XXX domain discussion forum on NP.

Domain Brokers – My bet is that a number of private brokers like Andrew Rosener, Toby Clements, Justin Godfrey, and Rob Sequin will allow premium .XXX domain names to be included in their newsletters and via their brokerage.

Adult Webmaster Forums – I know many adult webmasters are not in favor of .XXX domain names. However, the sale of .XXX domain names may be permitted on an adult forum.

Do you have any suggestions for sales venues for .XXX domain names?

Interesting UDRP for NdamukongSuh.com

Elliot Silver
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0

One of the more frequent domain name related questions I am asked is regarding the ability to own the exact match domain name of famous athletes, celebrities, and other famous people. There are a lot of people who don’t think it’s a problem to own the exact match of someone’s domain name, and a perfect example is seeing how quickly the .com names of American Idol performers are registered after each initial performance.

I’ve always believed a person can own the exact match domain name of a famous person if they operate it in a way that doesn’t make money off that person’s fame. For instance, someone could hypothetically own DerekJeter.com and have a baseball fan site about New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter as long as they aren’t monetizing it or trying to sell it. That’s not a legal opinion but just an observation of mine. As a domain investor, it doesn’t make sense to me to do this when you can’t profit from the domain name with the risk of losing it.

This morning, I read an interesting UDRP decision for the domain name  NdamukongSuh.com.  Ndamukong Suh is an NFL football player for the Detroit Lions, and ironically, he’s been in the news quite a bit this past week for an incident that took place in the Thanksgiving Day football game against the Green Bay Packers. He was suspended by the National Football League for two games as a result.

Here are some interesting quotes from the UDRP decision that ultimately went in favor of the complainant:

“Respondent acquired the disputed domain name in January 2009, with knowledge that it incorporated Complainant’s name. After learning that Complainant had retained a web developer other than Respondent, Respondent offered to transfer the domain to Complainant’s web developer, stating “Maybe we can work something out that is fair for the name.” In subsequent communications, Respondent provided a list of memorabilia items signed by Complainant that he would accept for transferring the domain name. Alternatively, he offered to accept “a few” game tickets for transfer of the disputed domain name.”

“Complainant contends that the disputed domain name incorporates his name in its entirety, that Respondent has no legitimate right or interests in the domain name and that Respondent’s practice of registering the domain names of athletes and then trading those domain names for certain memorabilia or game tickets supports a finding of bad faith registration and use of the disputed domain name.”

“Complainant contends that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name. Respondent does not dispute this. The disputed domain name resolves to a “domain parking program” website. Such domain parking in this case is not considered a legitimate use of the disputed domain name in connection with a  bona fide  offering of goods or services.”

“However, the record indicates, by Respondent’s own admissions, that his primary purpose in registering the disputed domain name was to sell the disputed domain name to the Complainant for valuable consideration, in the form of memorabilia or game tickets, in excess of the documented out of pocket costs directly related to the disputed domain name. That the consideration he requested was in the form of signed memorabilia or game tickets does not avoid a bad faith finding. Respondent admits that he has a practice of registering popular athletes’ names and demanding memorabilia or game tickets in return for trading the domain name. There is no requirement in paragraph 4 of the Policy that the value demanded be above a certain threshold, only that it be in excess of the out of pocket costs directly related to the domain name.”

The next time you think it might be a good idea to register the domain name of a famous person with the hope of getting something in return (other than a “thank you,” it might be advisable to review this UDRP decision. I guess the good news for the domain registrant is that Suh and his attorneys filed a UDRP rather than a lawsuit in federal court for cybersquatting.

Learn Why a Domain Name Has Value

Elliot Silver
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18

I think a majority of the comments I receive on my articles listing the previous week’s domain sales that took place at Sedo and Afternic fall into one of four categories:

  • Most of those domain names suck
  • My domain names are much better
  • I don’t understand why names like that are selling
  • [Domain Name] was a good deal for the [buyer / seller]

Instead of looking at the list of domain names and comparing them to what you own or analyzing them on their merits, I think you need to dig a little deeper and try to determine why each domain name sold. Do a Whois search to see who bought the domain names. When the Whois reflects the new owner, type in the domain name to see what the new owner is doing with it.

Check out Andrew’s post today about some of the interesting end user acquisitions from last week. While in a  vacuum  environment, it might not make sense that some of those domain names sold at those prices, when you dig a bit deeper, you begin to see why they sold.  Oftentimes, companies with unique brand identities want to upgrade to a better domain name. Other times, companies have a marketing campaign and the domain name is beneficial.

As domain investors, we tend to crucify companies that don’t “get it” when it comes to domain names. They may try to be cutesy by using domain hacks or alternative extensions. They may also add a LLC to the domain name or an abbreviation like NY or CA to identify themselves. If they have the chance to buy the exact match domain name for their company, even if their company name seems to suck, it’s a smart move.

I may not think the company name Linens N Things is good, but it would be worse if the company used LinensNThingsNYC.com because their desired name was unavailable when they needed it.

When you are looking at the weekly sales, forget the sales prices on what seems like random domain names. In many of these cases, the sales price doesn’t really matter and may not make sense. The reason that’s the case is that it boils down to a domain owner’s need for money, negotiation skills, and the buyer’s need for a particular domain name.

If a domain owner doesn’t need the cash, he can hold out for a better offer on a seemingly average domain name. Similarly, if a company needs a domain name, they may be willing to pay more, even though they’re likely the only entity that could ever want the domain name. In short, the prices on brandable domain names shouldn’t really matter to you since they can’t really be used as comps.

The next time you read the weekly sales list, instead of complaining about the domain names that sold or lamenting about how much better your domain names are, why not spend an hour researching who bought what domain names. It will be more helpful to you and your business.

.XXX: To Protect or Not?

Elliot Silver
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8

Someone asked a question on DomainQuestions.com that I’ve been hearing quite a bit lately: “Should I protect myself by buying the corresponding .xxx domains?” People have seen the .XXX brand protection advertising and are wondering if they need to protect their brands.

Generally speaking,  I’ve  recommended  that people apply for .XXX domain names to correspond with their important brands, only if the .XXX domain names could legitimately be used as an adult website. For instance, DogWalker.xxx wouldn’t make much sense to be used for an adult site, but Dating.xxx would make sense and could potentially be confusing once the general public knows more about .XXX and uses it more regularly.

Some more conservative brands or organizations should probably protect their brands regardless, so they don’t have to explain a .XXX site to constituents or customers who may hear about the .XXX site through the grapevine.

I’m not too worried about this for most of my brand names, so the few I want to protect, I will do my best to reserve at General Availability, which begins on December 6. For me personally, I didn’t want to spend a $60 non-refundable application fee, when I didn’t see much potential for confusion with my brands.

.XXX landrush ended yesterday, and the auctions for the domain names that have more than one entity applying for them will begin on December 12 at Pool.

Driving Traffic with Timely Articles

Elliot Silver
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1

This may be an obvious piece of advice, but I think it’s valuable enough to share in case you are embarking on your own web development projects on good domain names. With Google’s recent updates, there is a focus on adding new content on a regular basis. Just as important, in my opinion, is that the content is relevant to current events and searches.

When you have a website to update, I think it’s key to post articles related to hot topics in that particular business. If you’re up for it, you should consider posting multiple articles on the topic so your website becomes known as an expert site on that topic, and you’ll likely see greater results and more traffic.

Interview experts who are smarter than you about those topics and include their insight to supplement your own knowledge. Experts tend to be happy to share their knowledge, especially if it will benefit their business. Not only will this give you great, unique content, but it will also likely get others to visit your site when they are searching for insight from that expert. The expert may even use his or her personal and business network to publicize your article.

To give you an idea of some “hot” topics I’ve written about lately on various sites of mine, here are a few links:

Why A Domain Broker Won’t Sell Your Domain Name

Elliot Silver
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29

I’m often either asked to broker domain names (which I don’t do) or asked why a domain broker isn’t willing to put the effort into selling someone’s domain names. There are several reasons why a domain broker may not sell particular domain name(s), and I want to give you three possible reasons.

1) Your names aren’t very good. Let’s face it. We don’t all own spectacular domain names. Even the most successful domain investors own some domain names that probably aren’t worth much. It wouldn’t make sense for a domain broker to try and sell a domain name when he or she doesn’t think anyone would want to buy it.

2) The domain name isn’t valuable enough. I enjoy making domain sales of all sizes. It’s exciting to sell a $2,000 domain name the same way it’s exciting to sell a $20,000 domain name. For a domain broker with a fair amount of inventory, it doesn’t make sense to try and sell a $2,000 domain name, on which he may only make $200 – $400 in commission if it sells, when he has other valuable domain names he can sell. Would you spend effort to earn $400 when you can expend the same effort to potentially earn $10,000 or more? Personally, I’d rater have a broker be honest with me and not take on one of my names than lock my name up when he has no intention of marketing it.

3) Your asking price is way too high. I see this quite a bit. Someone offering a whopping 40% commission as enticement to try and sell their domain name for them. The problem is that if their asking price is too high, 40% commission on no sale equals $0. If the bottom line price is way over the market value, and the owner isn’t willing to show flexibility, there’s little reason to try and sell the domain name.

If a domain broker won’t work with you, here are some suggestions on how to sell domain names on your own.

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