Comments on: 4-Letter Speculation http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/ Dominik's blog about domain names, web search, online marketing and economics. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:24:28 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Kishor http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3607 Kishor Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:01:13 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3607 The prices for 65Q.com and iy8.com in todays market are 225$ and 245 $ respectively. The prices for 65Q.com and iy8.com in todays market are 225$ and 245 $ respectively.

]]> By: Dominik Mueller http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3514 Dominik Mueller Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:35:20 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3514 Gil: The web is growing, no question there. But I think that's a negligible factor in this equation. Your "normal" Internet user does not really need four-letter domains, at least not all of them. Web surfers don't demand them; it is domain investors and a handful of companies or developers who do. The number of LLLL end user sales might increase as well as the average sale price of this type of domain name, but that won't happen quickly. Why not think of it this way: The LLLL domain market grew both faster than the rest of the domain market and it grew a lot faster than the Internet itself. As said, I don't believe Internet saturation to be an important factor yet, I'm just making this point so you see that demand for LLLL domains in general was, and maybe still is, unreasonably high. Gil: The web is growing, no question there. But I think that’s a negligible factor in this equation. Your “normal” Internet user does not really need four-letter domains, at least not all of them. Web surfers don’t demand them; it is domain investors and a handful of companies or developers who do. The number of LLLL end user sales might increase as well as the average sale price of this type of domain name, but that won’t happen quickly.

Why not think of it this way: The LLLL domain market grew both faster than the rest of the domain market and it grew a lot faster than the Internet itself. As said, I don’t believe Internet saturation to be an important factor yet, I’m just making this point so you see that demand for LLLL domains in general was, and maybe still is, unreasonably high.

]]> By: Gil Bates http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3508 Gil Bates Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:50:17 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3508 I would agree with your logic about a coming market correction except for one fact. The market is growing. Internet penetration is not yet saturated. As more and more people get online, more and more people will start up companies and need a short name. I have a few choice names in my portfolio that I'm actually saving for my children's college fund, and a few for retirement! Now that's positive thinking :) I would agree with your logic about a coming market correction except for one fact. The market is growing. Internet penetration is not yet saturated. As more and more people get online, more and more people will start up companies and need a short name.

I have a few choice names in my portfolio that I’m actually saving for my children’s college fund, and a few for retirement! Now that’s positive thinking :)

]]> By: LLLL Domains Drop in Value | Dominik Mueller http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3439 LLLL Domains Drop in Value | Dominik Mueller Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:07:07 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3439 [...] Elliot and I have predicted in mid-February, aftermarket prices of 4-letter domains have finally dropped in what [...] [...] Elliot and I have predicted in mid-February, aftermarket prices of 4-letter domains have finally dropped in what [...]

]]> By: DC Domain Names http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3390 DC Domain Names Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:12:33 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3390 I just sold an ugly 4-letter domain name today for $175. The offer came unsolicited at $125 and we settled on $175. I've posted 8 ugly 4-letter domains today on 7-day auctions at TDnam.com (Godaddy's auctions) just to test the waters and see what they do. I placed a pretty good LLLL on TDNam.com last week and fortunately created a $100 reserve price, as it only peaked out at $80 with 5 bids. Some may consider it as ugly because it had an X in it, but in reality it was phonetically a great domain and brandable. The name, XIPM.com (xipm.com) -- pronounced "zip-em." I've since put it on eBay because I always sell my LLLL domains on eBay for over $100. I'm doing this more for research on another project I'm working on, comparing eBay vs Tdnam.com. But I've got 400 LLLL names I plan on keeping. I don't have any reserve prices set on the 8 I'm selling now and willing to take the risk. I started the bidding today at $15 each. One problem I have with auctions like sedo.com, snapnames.com and tdnam.com is there is simply too much competition for your names to be seen. Do you have any pointers on your favorite places to sell domain names? A final question I have is I own two 3-letter dot com's that are combos of numbers and letters -- 65Q.com and iy8.com. Any ideas on what they might be worth in today's crazy market? I just sold an ugly 4-letter domain name today for $175. The offer came unsolicited at $125 and we settled on $175. I’ve posted 8 ugly 4-letter domains today on 7-day auctions at TDnam.com (Godaddy’s auctions) just to test the waters and see what they do.

I placed a pretty good LLLL on TDNam.com last week and fortunately created a $100 reserve price, as it only peaked out at $80 with 5 bids. Some may consider it as ugly because it had an X in it, but in reality it was phonetically a great domain and brandable. The name, XIPM.com (xipm.com) — pronounced “zip-em.” I’ve since put it on eBay because I always sell my LLLL domains on eBay for over $100. I’m doing this more for research on another project I’m working on, comparing eBay vs Tdnam.com. But I’ve got 400 LLLL names I plan on keeping.

I don’t have any reserve prices set on the 8 I’m selling now and willing to take the risk. I started the bidding today at $15 each.

One problem I have with auctions like sedo.com, snapnames.com and tdnam.com is there is simply too much competition for your names to be seen. Do you have any pointers on your favorite places to sell domain names?

A final question I have is I own two 3-letter dot com’s that are combos of numbers and letters — 65Q.com and iy8.com. Any ideas on what they might be worth in today’s crazy market?

]]> By: Dan Lew http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3372 Dan Lew Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:40:15 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3372 It's Exciting times for all of those who have heavily invested in 4LLLL.com's. I myself have just a very small potfolio of 50 mostly pronouncables here: 4ldomain.com but plan to sell most of these to end users. Now domainers are panicking and can no longer buy them for mid ($xx) Today the price is around $65 or more for the ugliest LLLL.com. I can see these hit min $100-$200 in a very short time frame. The demand is only getting stronger for these names. I am also quitely and slowly investing in some nice LL-L.com and L-LL.com and LLLL.net is also now on everyone's list! It’s Exciting times for all of those who have heavily invested in 4LLLL.com’s. I myself have just a very small potfolio of 50 mostly pronouncables here: 4ldomain.com but plan to sell most of these to end users.

Now domainers are panicking and can no longer buy them for mid ($xx) Today the price is around $65 or more for the ugliest LLLL.com. I can see these hit min $100-$200 in a very short time frame. The demand is only getting stronger for these names.

I am also quitely and slowly investing in some nice LL-L.com and L-LL.com and LLLL.net is also now on everyone’s list!

]]> By: Emil.king.net http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3360 Emil.king.net Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:28:28 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3360 I value my investment and consider 4 LLLL's domain investment for the next 5-10 years. I think this is better compare to other extensions. IMHO. I value my investment and consider 4 LLLL’s domain investment for the next 5-10 years. I think this is better compare to other extensions.

IMHO.

]]> By: Domain Magnate » Why LLLL.com Domains Will Grow in Price http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3304 Domain Magnate » Why LLLL.com Domains Will Grow in Price Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:35:00 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3304 [...] domainers, including Elliot, Dominic and admins of DomainState have recently expressed their opinions about LLLL.com domains describing [...] [...] domainers, including Elliot, Dominic and admins of DomainState have recently expressed their opinions about LLLL.com domains describing [...]

]]> By: rkbdomain http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3303 rkbdomain Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:55:53 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3303 They may be overvalued, but as time goes on more find homes with end users and there are less available for domain speculators, so these are a good long-term investment even though they may be inflated right now. But I think NNNNN.com's are currently undervalued, so I think the market for some speculators will be to move from the LLLL's to the NNNNN's. The NNNNN's were just all bought ought a week ago and are much more scarce than the LLLL's (100,000 compared to more than 450,000 NNNNN's), and actually have very good development potential, many are US zip codes, foreign postal codes (Germany, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Kuwait, Brazil, Sweden, etc.) birthdays, part numbers, lucky numbers, and more. Numerics are also huge in the booming Asian markets, 173.com went for over $300k last week and 17173.com is one of the top Chinese websites. They may be overvalued, but as time goes on more find homes with end users and there are less available for domain speculators, so these are a good long-term investment even though they may be inflated right now. But I think NNNNN.com’s are currently undervalued, so I think the market for some speculators will be to move from the LLLL’s to the NNNNN’s. The NNNNN’s were just all bought ought a week ago and are much more scarce than the LLLL’s (100,000 compared to more than 450,000 NNNNN’s), and actually have very good development potential, many are US zip codes, foreign postal codes (Germany, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Kuwait, Brazil, Sweden, etc.) birthdays, part numbers, lucky numbers, and more. Numerics are also huge in the booming Asian markets, 173.com went for over $300k last week and 17173.com is one of the top Chinese websites.

]]> By: Reece Berg http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/comment-page-1/#comment-3302 Reece Berg Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:49:02 +0000 http://www.dmueller.com/2008/02/19/domain-names-domains/4-letter-speculation/#comment-3302 I also see real value in LLLL.coms but agree that the increases we've been seeing simply cannot continue... At 10% per week returns, we'd be seeing a min wholesale in the $X,XXX range inside of a year which is absolutely absurd to even imagine. As prices climb, the rate at which they climb will no doubt slow down. I believe the $100 mark (for any LLLL.com) will be a psychological barrier to many investors... As the prices start to increase slower and slower, we'll no doubt see many more investors start looking for "the next big thing". I sold 1500 of my LLLL.coms between the end of January and the beginning of February. The time was right for me... I've continued to invest in the LLLL.com market on a smaller scale and purchase up bargains when I come across them, but feel a diverisifying is a good idea at this time. Since the buyout on November 2nd, I've cautioned that people invest only what they can afford to lose... Unfortunately, as prices grow more and more, the amount at stake continues to grow - especially for new investors who didn't purchase their LLLL.coms at regfee like I did. I see the market continuing to experience strong growth in the CVCV, VCVC, and quad premium sectors at least for a few more months but am somewhat hesitant to suggest people invest in low quality LLLL.coms at this time unless they're planning on holding them long term and are capable of handling the risk associated with their investment. I also see real value in LLLL.coms but agree that the increases we’ve been seeing simply cannot continue… At 10% per week returns, we’d be seeing a min wholesale in the $X,XXX range inside of a year which is absolutely absurd to even imagine. As prices climb, the rate at which they climb will no doubt slow down. I believe the $100 mark (for any LLLL.com) will be a psychological barrier to many investors… As the prices start to increase slower and slower, we’ll no doubt see many more investors start looking for “the next big thing”.

I sold 1500 of my LLLL.coms between the end of January and the beginning of February. The time was right for me… I’ve continued to invest in the LLLL.com market on a smaller scale and purchase up bargains when I come across them, but feel a diverisifying is a good idea at this time.

Since the buyout on November 2nd, I’ve cautioned that people invest only what they can afford to lose… Unfortunately, as prices grow more and more, the amount at stake continues to grow – especially for new investors who didn’t purchase their LLLL.coms at regfee like I did.

I see the market continuing to experience strong growth in the CVCV, VCVC, and quad premium sectors at least for a few more months but am somewhat hesitant to suggest people invest in low quality LLLL.coms at this time unless they’re planning on holding them long term and are capable of handling the risk associated with their investment.

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