Within the past year, two distinctive companies have emerged who specialize in online domain name auctions. One is Latona’s Domain Brokerage & Auction House and the other is Bido. Both companies have invested considerable capital and time in constructing a sophisticated auction platform dedicated to domain name sales.

I am happy to say that both company sites are very professional in appearance. Both are a definite plus to the domain name industry.

Rick Latona of Latona’s Domain Brokerage & Auction House is a go-getter, energetic, and someone who makes things happen through sheer will and creativity.

Sahar Sarid, Jeff Bhavnanie, and Jarred Cohen are the primary driving forces behind Bido and they too have created an impressive auction format full of features.

The domain name industry is inextricably linked to internet growth and the mass migration of businesses to the net. While the story of domain name expansion is both interesting and exciting, many chapters have yet to be written.

The domain aftermarket has many players, some new and some old. I have used most all of them for both buying and selling premium domain names in various extensions. It is gratifying to see the industry mature, and to witness the continual influence that good domain names have on start-ups and business expansion.

Bido have been in operation for a number of months and are continually reassessing and improving their technology and approach. Latona’s is brand new and preparing to launch within the next few days.

If you are a buyer or seller of domain names, check out these two companies. Chances are you will be hearing about them for a long time to come.

Internet Domains bido, Domain Auctions, Latona

The domain name, InternetLawyers.info, will be auctioned off in a one hour (no reserve) auction held at Bido.com on Tuesday December 1, 2009.

Internet-related law has become a specialty area as commerce has moved online over the past decade. Internet lawyers have special knowledge of intricate internet laws & regulations stemming from multiple jurisdictions.

Similar past sales of comparable domains include: InternetLawyer.net $1300, HoustonLawyers.biz $1000, Lawyers.biz $2500. For more choices in the legal domain name category, visit the Legal Domains section of PremiumDomains.US.

.INFO Domain Names auction, bido

The T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York live auctions ended yesterday with modest results. The Rick Latona auction had a net of $1,295,000 (including the sale of geodomain Rio.com for $450,000) and the Moniker auction generated $415,000 in domain sales (NY.biz $7000, MultiVitamins.com $45,000, I.biz $17,000, TrademarkLawyers.com $24,000).

The relative turnout was small leaving one to ask “What’s the next stage in the evolution of domain name auctions”?

Earlier this year, Moniker participated in a very innovative approach by partnering with real estate auction company, J.P. King, in a San Francisco event aimed at selling a large portfolio of real estate domain names. The auction preparation and marketing appeared to be very well done. However, the auction was cancelled due to lack of interest by the real estate industry. This was a result of the auction portfolio consisting of only lower-tier long tail domains like HoustonRealEstateListings.com.

It’s time to take a new approach. Instead of hosting a pure domainer conference with domainer topics, take an industry-specific auction to the National Realtors Conference & Expo or the National Insurance Conference … where true end-users with community-based businesses will be located.

Such an auction would contain only geo-targeted and generic domains names which tightly fit that industry’s niche. The auction would contain quality domains at a range of price points and would cover geo-locations such that professionals from all over the U.S. (or Canada) would see relevant domain names specific to their business and their city. In other words, the name selection and pricing would be very enticing.

The marketing of this auction event would occur months in advance and coincide with the larger conference’s promotion such that they too can publicize the auction. 5% of all sales would be given to the larger industry association such that they retain a vested financial interest in the auction’s promotion & success. There would be 2-3 good quality domains raffled off to increase attendee interest.

Local media coverage would be actively pursued. But most importantly, a direct mail would be sent to everyone registered for the conference, and in that mail a link to the auction inventory which would be posted & updated regularly so that people don’t have to guess what domains will be offered.

Any domain auction is ALWAYS about the quality of the names and to a lesser though significant extent, the price. The most important thing moving forward for major auction venues & events is to narrow the selection down to include only quality domain names.

Buzz, excitement, interest, and commitment-to-buying are built upon enthusiastic want or need for a domain asset that makes sense to a company wanting to expand their internet reach. Placing 10 high-quality domains alongside 200 low-quality domains is a losing strategy. Most buyers will not waste time browsing through a dime store when they are in search of a jewel. Particularly when it comes to business.

High-profile, high-standard auctions looking to attract quality clientele must avoid the bargain basement mentality & approach. And that begins with inventory. Don’t try to sell a 1974 AMC Pacer to Ferrari, Lamborghini, or even Ford Taurus buyers.

Domain Auctions bido, Moniker, Rick Latona, Sedo

Key West, Florida is a beautiful & popular vacation destination at the southernmost tip of the United States. Key West is known for a tropical climate, white sandy beaches, and tons of personality.

The domain name, KeyWestFlorida.US, is for sale from the PremiumDomains.US portfolio and offered in a no reserve auction at Bido.com on Tuesday, September 22.

Key West receives a large amount of tourism and provides visitors with incredible cuisine, water sports, moonlight cruises, and a relaxing atmosphere which turns first time vacationers into instant Key West fans.

Premium geodomains carry a certain cachet as pure generic domain names, but also possess a special appeal for the residents, businesses, and visitors to the geo destination contained in the domain name. Certain local businesses can use a geodomain as a targeted geo-portal for their company’s products and services.

Examples include: hotel & travel, real estate professionals, local attorneys, apartment complexes, insurance sales, auto dealerships, and various organizations based out of the geo destination.

To visit the auction: go here

.US Domain Names .us, bido, florida, key west