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Watching time, the only true currency // A journal from John B. Roberts

What’s a domain worth?

What’s a domain worth? A lot and a little, and never as much as you imagine. Yesterday, at work, I received an offer to buy a domain. (As a courtesy, I’m not going to mention the actual domain.) The suggested amount was extraordinary, especially for a domain which is too specific, and therefore limiting, in the long run.

An easy to remember, easy to type, easy to say, relatively short, descriptive URL is a fine thing. But without a service that works for people, solving a problem, or providing entertainment, a URL is just an address, not a business. CNET Networks has many brands live at some memorable domains, but it’s not the domain that makes the difference.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have tv.com, for example, as the location of your site about television.

I wished yesterday’s seller luck. I think that is partly what it will take, but maybe I’m misinterpreting the marketplace. I’ll be curious to learn one way or the other.

August 2005
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