Is .com domain name still relevant?

written by

Joe Uddeme

Domain Buying Guides

With so much competition, it’s easy to wonder if the .com domain has lost its edge. Not so, says domain name expert Joe Uddeme. Here’s why.

As a super-premium domain broker and domain name valuation expert, we are continually asked if the .com is still as relevant as it once was.

The short answer is: “Absolutely!”

Branding remains at the forefront of all carefully executed advertising and marketing campaigns. It’s imperative that your message is clean, concise and to the point. Some of the largest and most successful companies around the globe understand the importance of brand appeal.

The domain name is the “foundation” for the brand. The .com domain name adds equity and credibility, and is easily memorable. We often refer to the .com as beach-front real estate.

Additionally, domain names are valuable and continue to retain that value. Most startups and brand managers understand the importance of the .com, as consumers have been programmed for years to gravitate towards it. It is irrefutably still relevant today.

Key Takeaways

.com domains in everyday life
The rise of mobile advertising
Investing in .com domains makes sense

Advertising and .com

Take a typical 60-minute program on television. Within that hour, at least eighteen minutes are geared towards commercials. The rest of the time is actual programming.

There are six breaks of three minutes with six 30-second commercials per break. Five out of six brands advertise the .com in their marketing campaign. Furthermore, consumers have been programmed to gravitate towards .com.

Additionally, over the past 30+ years, top brands have acquired and marketed their companies with the top domain names, and to this day, .com reigns supreme.

Man walking through busy city surrounded by neon advertising signs

Will advertising and marketing strategy shift?

Some would make the case that the .com is dying and losing value, especially with mobile marketing continuing to grow. While there might be some validity to this, it’s not entirely true.

Most efforts to change the .com as the dominant tld revolve around small to medium-sized businesses. These companies continue to acquire alternatives for a fraction of the price of the .com. Many of the alternative TLDs, however, are proving unpopular and, thus, of little value.

What does this mean for you?

Savvy brand managers and startups need to carefully select their brand and determine their scale and marketing reach. The .com is the only way to effectively add value to your brand and increase global appeal.

Remember, consumers have choices – more so than ever, and it’s important to make a good first impression. A dominant domain name is the cornerstone of any successful online presence.

In addition, Advertising is everywhere. As consumers, we are deluged with ads that saturate our minds with new products and services.

Finally, Take the challenge and review advertising best practices. Super premium and keyword-dominant .coms will continue to dominate the large-scale global appeal. In short, .coms will continue to add value to your global brand.

About the author

Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact us at: [email protected]

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Domain names are one of the foundations of every global brand – they’re your calling card online. In this post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains how they work and how to secure the right one for your business. You probably know more domain names than phone numbers these days. Think of all the news sites you know the address of – plus Amazon, Apple and all those big brands whose website URLs you can guess because nine times out of ten, it is their brand name + .com. While the world of domain names is easy and familiar at face value, behind the scenes, there’s a lot more going on. If you’re getting ready to buy a premium domain name – one costing in the thousands that will be memorable and potentially valuable for a business in the long term – you need to have a solid grasp of what you’re getting into. To stop you from confusing domain names with websites or even website hosting services, this post is a great place to start. Key Takeaways What is a domain name How does a domain name work How to choose the right name for your business Securing a name that will keep your business on track What Is A Domain Name? To put it simply, a domain name is the address of your website. It is the phrase or word that you will type into your URL bar of your browser to find your website. For example, our website is https://nameexperts.com/ You can purchase domain names through a domain registrar, through a hosting provider, or let a domain name broker help you. What is the DNS? You can’t really answer the question, “What is a domain name?” without addressing DNS. Domain names are part of a large network called the Domain Name System (DNS) and it is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for management and maintenance of the DNS, as well as regulating domain registrars. How Does the DNS Work? When you type a domain name into your browser, your computer will check if you’ve previously looked at that domain. If not, then your browser will contact the local DNS server to pull it up. Your local DNS server breaks down the domain name into sections. We’ll use our name again as an example. There are three parts to nameexperts.com – www., nameexperts, and .com. The .com is known as a top level domain (TLD) and the local DNS server will search for this section first, and then serves to find all the details of your domain name and send that information back to the browser you’re using. There are obviously a lot more technical steps to it, but that’s the basics of how the DNS works. Let’s talk more about what you really need to know – what types of domain name extensions are available. Different Types of Domain Name Extensions All domain names are made up of a website name (nameexperts), and a top level domain (.com). Though the extensions can vary, we think it is useful to know the differences between the types of top-level domains available so that when it’s time to choose your domain name, you choose the right one. The two types we are going to talk about today are Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) and Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs). Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) Normally, the best course of action is to choose a reputable TLD like .com, .net, or .org. But because these are so popular, there are millions of domain names that have been registered to date. So the name you want might be taken (read our post: “How to buy a domain owned by someone else”) – or it may be hard to find a name that works. Here are some of the most generic TLDs: .com (commercial) .info (information) .org (organizational) .net (network) .biz (business) Sponsored Top-Level Domains (rTLDs) In addition to gTLDs, there are also some top level domains that are sponsored by organizations or agencies for very specific and often exclusive use. Here are some examples you’ll recognize: .gov (used by the US government) .edu (used by educational institutions) .int (used by international organizations) .mil (limited to US military entities only) Subdomains We thought we should also mention subdomains. A subdomain is also known as a third level domain and is an extra part of a domain name. They are viewed as separate websites by the search engines, so creating subdomains can help improve your site’s SEO. Specifically, a good time to use a subdomain is for a blog. It might look like https://blog.nameexperts.com. How To Choose The Right Domain Name Now that we’ve answered what is a domain name, we want to help you choose a strong domain name that accurately reflects your business. Ideally, you want to be easy for your target market to remember and be something that is timeless. Your domain name broker can help you find the perfect domain name and get you started with the process that goes along with it. Begin by doing some research on keywords that are relevant for your business. Whether it’s the name of your business or another keyword that relates to your business and you want to rank for it, this type of domain name will help improve your site’s SEO (search engine optimization). Another tip is to keep your domain short and memorable. You want it to stand out but be easy to remember – try to keep it to three words or less. You also want to make sure you avoid numbers and hyphens. People won’t remember where they go and they might mistype. Which leads us into another tip for choosing your domain name, make sure it is easy to spell. Shy away from words with multiple spelling variations or one that might be difficult to pronounce. Think long term. You want a domain name that supports the growth of your business and will last for years to come. Changing your domain name later can really hurt your business. Working With A Domain Name Broker – The Easy Solution Getting your domain name right is crucial for your business or organization. It can help define your brand and form a lasting impression on your audience. Do your research, and then if you’re serious about securing a seemingly unavailable name, reach out to a domain broker. We can help you buy and register a name – even if it belongs to someone else. We can also advise on strong alternative names for your business. NameExperts.com has a selection of highly commercial names available for sale at any time. At the time of writing, these included eight.com, proud.com, fate.com and nickel.com. About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact us at: [email protected]

Two professionals looking at documents to imply safety checks when buying a premium domain name

How To Safely Purchase Premium Domain Names

Almost every good domain name you can think of has already been registered – meaning you’ll need to buy it from someone if you want it. NameExperts.com Principal Joe Uddeme explains how to do it the right way. We are living in a time when there are more active domain names than there were people alive in the 1920s. There are over 1.8 billion websites, and this doesn’t even include the ones that aren’t active. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for you to find an original domain name that will instantly connect with your market. If you want your business to succeed in the online world, you will likely need to buy a premium domain name that is already owned by someone else. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about premium domains and how you can successfully purchase them – with or without the help of a top domain broker. Key Takeaways Understand premium domains and what they can do for your business Top tips for purchasing a high-value domain name How a domain broker can simplify and streamline the whole process What Are Premium Domain Names and Why Do You Need One? You want your business to be successful right off the bat, and premium domain names might be the best first step. Here, we discuss what premium domain names even are and share a few tips to help you purchase them. Elements of a premium domain name Premium domain names are short, easy, and highly marketable names that are usually already bought by someone and are available for sale for a “premium” value. They are priced higher than normal domains due to a few factors: They have high marketability thanks to their unique and trendy names that are instantly recognizable by the target audience. Premium domain names tend to be shorter in length and are easier to remember. (Example: Facebook bought “fb.com” as it was used almost as much as “facebook.com”). While not on our list of most expensive domain names ever sold, it certainly commanded a high price. They have optimized keywords that are hard to find in new domain names. They usually end in the popular “.com” extension. There are a few other things to consider and a few criteria that are used to qualify your domain name as premium. The first is if they are generic or single word domain and whether they have a .com or another globally driven brand. They should also be pronounceable and meaningful and should have a desired commercial appeal. Similarly, does the name you want to have a clear path to developmental success or is it random and highly specific? A premium domain might also already have a rich-SEO history and what we call a “white-hat” SEO past. Your domain should be catchy, brandable, and most importantly – scalable. Basically, you’re looking for a timeless domain that won’t go out of style or be easily forgotten. A domain name consultant can advise here, and can prove invaluable when investigating your intended domain name’s past. When you’re looking to add a domain name to your business, it’s important to focus on some of these pointers above if you want to add value and long-term equity to your overall brand. If you plan on selling your business someday, you want to choose a name that can be resold; try and give yourself a little digital curb appeal for if the business doesn’t pan out down the road. Why Premium Domain Names Are Necessary For Your Business While they’re more expensive, premium domain names offer a range of benefits that often match that price and provide a pay-off in the long term. The first benefit you can take advantage of is a higher reach and resonance with your audience. A memorable domain name will stick in consumers’ minds and create a more credible image around your brand. If they remember your domain name, they’re more likely to search directly for it. Check out our guide to choosing a strong brand name for your business. Premium domains will typically contain relevant keywords that are used frequently by consumers of your chosen business segment. This provides a potential pool of traffic already searching for your domain – readily available for you to access. Premium domain names are not essential when you’re first starting out and do not have a lot of capital. They are often expensive and might be a risky investment at the beginning. Once your business starts growing, a premium domain name will help take your online presence to the next level and open you to a world of new opportunities. The Name Experts team regularly helps provide detailed strategies about great business names to help your startup off the ground. Our Tips For Purchasing Premium Domain Names Buying domain names can be stressful if you do not have much experience with the process. Here are a few tips you can follow to successfully purchase a premium domain. Hire a Domain Buyer Broker with a successful track record. They will help you perform a WHOIS search easily and aid you through the process of your purchase. Make sure you get your broker to sign an NDA to protect your information. Contact the owner professionally. Keep a list of alternatives. Be honest and flexible in your negotiations. No one wants to deal with dishonest or overly-rigid buyers. Ask your broker any question that comes to your mind. Why Choose a Domain Broker for your Premium Domain Name Purchase Though this is a quick and general list, we highly suggest reaching out to an experienced broker to help you with the process. A well-established firm like Name Experts offers a full-service domain name brokerage experience for clients. With over 16 years of industry experience and a proven track record (including helping Monday.com to rebrand), we can help you buy a premium domain name your business needs to boost its online presence. We’re highly skilled at tracking down and reaching out to owners of off-market domain names, as well as negotiating the best price for our clients. Buying high-value domain names is a process, and our services ensure that you’ll get the best deal with the least fuss. About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact him at: [email protected]

Domain investors in China should buy Western Premium domains

Memo to Chinese domain name investors: NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme thinks you’re missing a trick if you limit your portfolio to local names. Most Chinese investors tend to shy away from Western-type domain names as they don’t have meaning in mainland China – names that contain vowels and the letter “v” in particular. Are they limiting their long-term growth potential? Some would say sticking with Chinese domains is a safer investment. As seasoned domain name brokers, however, we disagree. Here’s why… Key Takeaways New TLDs are not a good long-term play Aftermarket prices for .com names remain high Work with a broker if you need help with domain portfolio management Background – understanding the Chinese domain name marketplace For those of you that follow the domain investor market, specifically in China, you can see all types of newly minted investors looking for the next great domain name investment. Most Chinese investors are focused on the domain names that have relevance inside of mainland China. The most popular investments in China are the short acronym domain, or simple numeric domain names as they translate to meaning to the Chinese culture. Some examples include the following (N = number; L = letter): 15.com (NN.com) 123.com (NNN.com) TR.com (LL.com) TYPL.com (LLLL.com) 6N.com (LN.com) N6.com (NL.com Chinese domain investment trends As domain investments continue to increase in China, we are seeing many investors branching out into some of the newer GTLD extensions as alternative investments including; .club, .top, .wang. They are acquiring these names for much lower costs than the typical .com investment. Is that a solid investment? We say: no. The Chinese investor is savvy, but they are limiting their investment opportunity. In most instances, domain investors in China are only focused on these types of names because they create liquidity and are very attractive to the Chinese on a quick-flip model (check out our guide to domain name investing). Additionally, the Chinese investor should look at the plethora of available .com domain name inventory on the aftermarket. Tons of fantastic domain inventory is readily available. Short, generic and easy to spell English words that are solid investments. The saturation of the internet continues to precipitously grow year-over-year, with 78% of the Chinese population now online. When you do the math, it’s easy to see the longer-term opportunity. Should you limit yourself as an investor? Not with the .com market stronger than ever – with fantastic acquisition opportunities and names that ultimately have a global appeal and market reach. We believe domain investors in China will start to acquire short, generic .com domains as trillions of dollars are available for private Chinese investors. Way back in 2017, George Kirikos had a fantastic post on Twitter, referencing 12,000 startups being created every day in China. The domain investor continues to evolve and grow. Investors should look at the longer-term investment opportunity and acquire names that are globally acceptable and not limited to mainland China. How a domain broker can help Friends in the right places are always good to have, and most international domain brokers would gladly help Chinese companies and individuals who want to buy domain names. Domain brokers help buyers of any nationality to understand current market trends and navigate the sometimes complex world of domain acquisitions. NameExperts.com is one of the world’s best-known brokerages, offering personalized boutique services that include domain name strategy, portfolio management, negotiation and stealth acquisitions. About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. He advises clients globally. Contact us at: [email protected]

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Is .com domain name still relevant?

Domain Buying Guides

Advertising and .com

Will advertising and marketing strategy shift?

What does this mean for you?

About the author

Subscribe for More Domain Buying & Selling Advice

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What Is A Domain Name and Why Do I Need One?

How To Safely Purchase Premium Domain Names

Domain investors in China should buy Western Premium domains

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