After a week’s postponement, today marks the day of the first live domain auction of 2008. DomainTools will be holding their live auction, with the hammer scheduled to come down beginning at 2pm EST. There will not be a video feed for this live auction, as there will be no bidders in attendance.
I am not a bidder in the auction, nor did I submit any names, but I will be a spectator this afternoon. DomainTools is known for their innovative technology, and they’ve made a few improvements from their last auction, including a count-down timer for each lot. This will allow bidders to see how much time remains in each auction, although they are advising bidders not to wait until the last minute in case of computer errors.
It will be interesting to see how this auction plays out. I don’t see any premium one word generic names in this auction (at any reserve level), and those have typically been used to generate publicity in other auctions. Invention.com sold for $500,000 at the last DomainTools live auction. There are many low to mid quality names at reserves between $1,000 – $5,000, which may generate some interest, but I think its going to be difficult for this auction to break 6 figures.
First Live Domain Auction of 2008
Is Postcard.com For Sale?
According to an Ebay listing, Postcard.com is currently for sale without a reserve. The current bid price is just over $11,000, but I think this will go much higher. From the listing:
“After over 10 years using this domain with great results, we have finally decided to pass it on to the “next generation” of entrepreneurs. POSTCARD.COM is now for sale!
We’re technically selling just the domain name but we are also willing to sell the logo, design and branding we created for our postcard printing company as well….
Thanks!
Alan Wolan
President, Postcard.com“
This is one of those category killer domain names that could be used by a printing business as a new branding initiative. While some could argue that the plural Postcards.com is a better domain name, I think both are phenomenal.
One word of caution on this Ebay listing though. On the Postcard.com website, there is a note that says:
“PostCard.com
This domain name is currently NOT for sale.
For further information please fill out the form below.
Thank You.”
Lowell Project: Creating Unique Content
From a search engine optimization standpoint, unique content is one of the most important things a website must have. Likewise, from a visitor’s perspective, unique content on Lowell.com is important because the visitor knows that the information was written by the website, rather than by the city.
On my Lowell.com blog, I discussed the process of creating unique content for the website that is being built on Lowell.com. Everything on the site will be completely unique, which poses many challenges. I discussed how I am researching, the motivation behind the research and how all of this is being created with the help of a copywriter.
Much more in-depth information can be found on the Lowell.com Blog.
Network Solutions' Defensive Measure for Whois Searches
Say you want to buy the domain name HelloElliotsBlogReaders.com at Network Solutions, and you search the availability of that name. You see the name is available, but you would prefer to buy it at Godaddy. Ten seconds later, you look the name up at Godaddy to complete the registration, and POOF, the name is no longer unregistered, and it shows up as being registered by:
Domain Name: HELLOELLIOTSBLOGREADERS.COM
Registrant:
This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171
US
It now appears that Network Solutions is registering domain names that are looked up on their Whois system as a “defensive measure” against people who may be able to screen their searches, affording searchers the time to register their names without worrying about them being picked off. This seems like a drastic measure to try and stop an apparent leak in the system. The problem is that by doing this, Network Solutions is preventing customers from registering the domain name at the registrar of choice. The name is still available to register, but only if done at Network Solutions.
As DomainNameNews points out, just imagine the possible litigation they could be risking if someone searches for hundreds of trademarked domain names.
Read more details at Jay’s Domaintools blog.
Lowell Project: Beautifying the Site
Enticing visitors to want to visit Lowell, Massachusetts will be one function of Lowell.com. Since many visitors to the website may have never stepped foot in Lowell before, the website will need to give visitors a good feel for the city. Posting updated photographs is the best way to convey the feel of the city, and I plan to take my own photos in addition to partnering with a local photographer. I’ve detailed this aspect on the Lowell.com blog.