There are many people who own domain names that have no idea of what they could be worth. Some of these people may have bought a domain name on a whim while others bought a domain name for a project that didn’t take off or didn’t get started. The domain name appraisal section on forums like NamePros and previously DNForum are some of the most popular sections, and they could be a good place to find a domain name to buy.
When someone with a great domain name asks for an appraisal, it is because they either received an offer to buy their domain name or they are ready to sell it. By publicly posting their domain name in the appraisal section, they can get an idea of what domain investors believe the domain name is worth. I think some of these people also do it as a means of generating a bit of publicity for their domain name.
From my perspective, this can be a great buying opportunity. On occasion, I have seen a great domain name posted for sale in the appraisal forum, and I have reached out to try to strike a deal privately. If it looks like the domain owner would like to sell a domain name I want to buy, it doesn’t make sense not to connect and see if a deal can be struck.
A key thing to keep in mind is that there are other domain investors who probably have the same idea, so a lowball offer isn’t going to do it. One advantage of the domain appraisal thread is that you can see what others are suggesting the domain name might be worth, so the owner may use this as a guideline for the sale price. For instance, if everyone is telling the owner that her domain name is worth $100,000 – $250,000, you would be silly to offer $1,000 to buy it!
There are a lot of worthless domain names posted in the appraisal section, so it can take some time to find a domain name that is appealing. I don’t think you should hesitate to reach out with a good offer if it is a name of interest.
The appraisal section at NamePros’s been really busy and helpful to me (I learn a lot). They’re genorous with their time to appraise domains for free and this is a good idea to find domains to buy in it.
Yes – it can be a good way to get an idea of a domain name’s value.
People who submit names there should go in with a thick skin and try not to take comments personally.
The “appraisal” section is one of the worst things that ever happened to domain forums.
It is also one of the main elements that originally turned me off to DNForum years ago, which had been my preferred forum until I finally left it and felt turned off completely. The appraisal section is where people lie about your domain if they don’t like you or had any conflict or disagreement with you elsewhere in the forum. The “appraisal” section is where people lie about the value your domain if they would really like to be able to get it from you for cheap or help their friend do so. The “appraisal” section is where you see some of worst and most ugly and predatory realities and intentions of those involved in “domaining.”
One of the biggest mistakes anyone could ever make is post a valuable domain for “appraisal” in a domain forum. Moreover, if it gets slammed and lied about that can remain visible to search engines for all to see. The negatives far outweighed any positives, and I have almost never even once looked back after turning my back on any domain forum “appraisal” section.
How effective and reliable are these domain appraisals?
I appraised my domain name: Manchestor.com on Godaddy and got different appraisal from the one that estibot gave me.
Namepros gave me a value that is very much different too.
Which should I choose since I have listed Manchestor.com for sale at $650 though I am willing to accept I lesser price but I don’t want to feel cheated in the sale.
I absolutely agree with the writer. Domain appraisal forums and sections are places where people can see your domain.
I listed WikiAuctions.com for $199 though gurus recommend the value at $1500 but I just want to offer it at a giveaway price since the domain name is about auction.