In an artcle that appeared in Boston.com, part of the Boston Globe today the newspaper talked about this weeks auction of America.com
It seems that Sedo.com, who is aucitoning off the domain, first raised the possibility of america.com breaking the all time record ever paid for a domain name.
Personally I don’t see it even coming close.
Israel.com for my money is a better name and well worth $5M.
America.com is a low seven figure dollar domain.
What are your thoughts??
David J Castello says
I strongly agree with you here. This type of hype will backfire because it appeals to a pre-2000 mentality and is damaging to the 2008 domain name market in general. Geodomainers like us, Dan Pulcrano, Skip Hoagland and Josh Metnick couldnt’t care less about Sex.com. What does that have to do with America.com? Besides the fact they are both domain names, they are two totally different animals.
If the Boston Globe wants to know what America.com is worth they should ask the people who are making a living off of these type of names (including themselves – they own Boston.com). And we’ll all tell you the same thing. America.com is a great name, but there are too many other variations floating around out there (including US.com, USA.com, UnitedStates.com and UnitedStatesOfAmerica. com) to make the name worth $12 million.
Alan says
Micheal,
I agree with you. America.com is definetly worth a few bucks but Israel.com is a far greater name and priced right around where it should be.
Although America.com is a top name for the USA – there are others – such as unitedstates.com, usa.com, us.com – quite a few different ways to define the usa.
Israel, on the other hand, has only one top domain – Israel.com
I could go into dynamics of why Israel.com is worth more a thoushand times over but ultimately it’s up to the market – although our money would go to Israel.com in a heartbeat.
Alan says
David,
You posted while I was typing :-)) wasn’t trying to copy what you said…..lol
Domainer says
Inspite of all the variaitions, after all it’s America.com!!
It’s definately worth much more than the rest of the variations.
thanks,
Alan says
Domainer,
I have a feeling if this auction was for USA.com – your statement would read… “after all it’s USA.com” 🙂
Hard to say which one is worth more – but the fact there are many dilutes them all.
Domainer says
lol..then Obama should say ‘Obama for USA’ than ‘Obama for America’? Some variations make much more sense than others. Just my opinion. time will tell.
thanks,
Alan says
Obama who 🙂
admin says
Maybe its the “states” thing we have going on here in the good old USA, but I think that devalues the “America” brand.
Because of the 50 states, unlike, well anywhere in the world, “America” as a brand is much weaker than say Italy.com or France.com.
When people plan a vacation to the states, they look at states or cities, they do not look under “America”
If you do Google “America” you will find 3 reference on the first page to that band in I grew up hating.
admin says
One more thing, according to compete.com, america.com gets around 10K visitors a month, sex.com gets almost 200K.
Doesn’t look like a record sale to me
Alan says
The “states” theory is a big reason why America.com is not worth as much as Israel.com, Italy.com, Greece.com or similar names.
In fact, we would value state .com’s such as Florida.com, NewYork.com or California.com far greater than America.com
admin says
Alan
So would I
damir says
America.com – may reach maximum $6 million but that’s about it.
Great post
Greg Nelson says
I would think unitedstates.com and usa.com would both be worth more than america.com as well. There are more than one “”americas” – north (usa states) central (mexico +) south (brazil +) and as a result, America.com does not always mean the United States.
America.com is weaker than Canada.com I would guess. Good name, just agree with most analysis above.
Don M says
It won’t sell for what they think it will. The question is what are you going to do with america.com? How are you going to make money with it?
A travel site, hotel site, I think its to vague to convert visitors.
I would much rather own a NewYork.com or California.com better conversion rates I would believe and more geo-specfic.
Sometimes names can be to vague. Its still a good name but it will not get what they are hoping.
Now lets hope sedo will qualify bidders this time around- Has pizza.com went through yet?
Domainer says
Ok, one last question do you guys say someone is “an American” or “USA citizen” or “USan” etc? Which one makes more sense?
So, when referring to the US citizens, you will say ‘Americans’ but while refering to the country itself ‘America’ has no meaning?
I am not trying to argue here but it’s not as undervalued as you guys think either.
thanks,
admin says
Domainer
I think your point is another example of why the domain is not worth more than in the low seven figures.
The domains American and Americans is not included.
The domain for auction is “america” one could argue the other versions are better
Toonz says
IMO
USA.com is far more valuable
In this instance, AmericaN.com would actually be more valuable that the straight America.com as well.
Yeah, I know that might not make sense to folks that are not from the States, but really… that is the way it is.