As the battle continues at Wikipedia to have an informative Domaining page, biased commenters keep trying every trick in the book to undermine this goal. The latest trick is to request that Wikipedia eliminate the domaining page, and just merge it with a page entitled “Domain Name Speculation”. There is no logic or persuasive points articulated by these dissenters. They are literally cyber vandals who keep throwing eggs at our house from the street as they hide behind anonymous screen names.

I keep waiting for a Wikipedia administrator to intervene and disallow further protests. Apparently, Wikipedia allow envious (and uninformed) protesters to throw eggs indefinitely.

I have posted a response to someone who claims domaining has no real purpose or shape, and who recommends to just merge it with domain name “speculation”. Below is my lesson in truth & common sense to the uniformed there. 

Merge is not Appropriate – Domain name “speculation” is one of many monetization techniques under the much larger umbrella of Domaining. People “speculate” on real estate, stock, art, thoroughbred horses. They also invest. They also develop. They also partner. They devise business plans & take on angel investors. They hire employees to launch internet companies built around their domain investments. They go in any number of varied directions as they explore their many revenue generating alternatives. That is what domainers do on a daily basis. It is a mature, diverse business which has continually expanded year after year. It’s a fact. It cannot be contested.

The ”Domaining” page will evolve with the continued expansion & success of the domain name industry. Many components and elements can be added to the page as the industry continues maturing into new areas and attracting many thousands of enthusiasts. This is something which Wikipedia users will enjoy and find educational.

The world of domaining is extremely well-developed as evidenced by the presence of established online companies dedicated specifically to the business of domaining. A mere redirection to domain name “speculation” is the equivalent of forwarding the broad category of “law” to a page on “divorce law”. It presumes that “divorce law” somehow represents everything there is to know about all law. ”’Speculation”’, by definition, is to buy and sell with the expectation of a quick or very large profit. Wikipedia include in their definition a “low margin of safety” and “significant risk of loss of the principal investment”. There is no doubt that such an approach exists, but using this narrow definition to encompass all of investing is completely inappropriate whether the object of the investment is real estate, gold, or domain names.

Speculation is by nature considered a more risky proposition, and simply does not account for proven, thoroughly researched business models. Business models that are applied in real estate, domain names, stocks, and an endless variety of other investment vehicles. A recommendation to simply merge or forward to “speculation” reveals a very limited understanding of investing as an activity that occurs along a continuum … with speculation being a proportionally small segment narrowly located only at the extreme end of that investment continuum.

Domaining must stand as an independent page due its broad, all encompassing nature. Thank you.

Internet Domains domaining, investing, speculation, wikipedia

The domain industry has matured with age and so have those who have followed it for years. Many domain name players have authored books, articles, blogs, and made the lecture & radio circuit sharing their particular points of view. Much information is now out.

Through this haze of fact and opinion emerge several irrefutable constants, or universal truths, that pertain to the proper selection of domain names for business. Significantly, Entreprenuer Magazine writer, Job Rognerud, posted an article recently entitled “Choose the Right Domain Name“. While not a ground-breaking piece, the article did represent a more mature and realistic perspective than I have read in general internet media about domain name selection.

Jon writes sensibly about the need to pick logical domain names that fit one’s business focus and which are easy to remember and share in casual conversation. While these domain “qualities” are nothing new to domain industry pros, it’s noteworthy that general articles are beginning to reflect accurate information to potential domain investors and business owners. Entrepreneur Magazine obviously cater to business-oriented individuals, many of which may have little experience dealing in domain names specifically.

I was especially pleased to see Jon’s comments here …

Generally, the best domain names are short, contain no hyphens, and offer an excellent one-, two-, or three-word summary of what the site is about.

These are good recommendations for choosing an appropriate, business-enhancing domain. Outdated thinking from the early days of the net often led to cutesy names or long domains that did not accurately describe the company, product, or service which was being offered. Sadly, I see companies today making the same mistake! Branding themselves with an odd sounding domain name that does not tie in with their primary business.

Jon adds in his article that your domain name is your online identity. Much better to get off to a great start in launching a new business (or upgrading an existing one) by choosing a quality domain that other businesses and customers can easily understand.

Here are PremiumDomains.biz criteria for choosing good investment grade domain names. These factors fit perfectly for small and large businesses preparing to make their move with a new domain acquisition. Critical qualities are …

Side Note: Entrepreneur.com are also online now with their official dotMobi mobile internet site, at: Entrepreneur.mobi

Another sign of a progressive, future-oriented company recognizing the importance of the mobile web!

Internet Domains domain selection, entrepreneur, investing

Choosing a great domain might be the first step in your new start. Changing life or career directions is a journey of faith, and hopefully determination. It’s been written that success is the birth of a dream, driven by passion, and constructed piece-by-piece through planning and hard work. As a premium domain enthusiast, I’m a diehard proponent that any internet idea is launched more easily, and lifted higher, by a really good quality domain name.

A fair number of bloggers have expressed serious concern about the fragility of the U.S. economy. It is true that companies are continuing to lay off workers, and there is a general atmosphere of skepticism all around. Just how bad things get, before they get better, is hard to answer. But they will get better. So be ready.

Some people are exploring the possibility of a career change and pursuing their own internet-related business. To work from home is the goal of many people. If you’re reading this, perhaps you are looking for a unique opportunity to start a website or online biz.

It must be said that a great domain, by itself, is not a business model. It is only one part of a larger end product. However, a premium domain is the platform on which the future is built. Many future decisions and important ideas will be laid down upon this foundation. If the foundation is weak, future construction will be compromised. If the foundation is solid, everything which follows will be strengthened.

Many domainers (general businesses too) make one of two common errors. They either get overly excited and commit to an impulsive domain name choice. Or, they take the casual approach without much forethought at all about the importance of their domain name selection. Preparation is extremely important in any long term project. Plotting out one’s steps and thinking ahead are so very important in achieving a successful end objective.

In considering a domain name purchase, make a list of domains related to the product, service, or idea that you will be launching. Enter these words (or phrases) into the major search engines and take note of: 1. how many search result listings are produced, and 2. how many advertisers are competing for the search word/phrase.

Is the domain clear and unambiguous such that people know exactly what is being sold or offered? “Denver Condos” is extremely clear. “Living Well in Denver” is vague. “Denver Condos” produces over 75,000 Google search listings and numerous advertisers. “Living Well in Denver” produces 3 search listings and not one advertiser. This instructs you that one domain will create a solid foundation, and is already strongly associated with a product in the minds of consumers. The other domain will require extra work to brand as a site for Denver Condo shoppers.

Choosing a great domain, especially a premium domain, is something that will require careful consideration. Most important business decisions demand patience, an eye for detail, and a global overview at the same time. When the economy turns around, and opportunities heat up, people will be itching to jump. Some will have planned and prepared. While others will be eager to dive in without a clear view of what’s ahead. Use this time, now, to plan ahead in regard to your future domaining.

If so inclined, acquire a nice quality internet property that centers around your primary interest, or that ties into your main area of expertise. Ideas will flow. Wheels will turn. Goals will be achieved.

Internet Domains domain name investing, investing

The premium domain, Dollars.com, is presently enjoying the highest bid of any name on the auction block at Sedo. With just over two days left to go, the bid is $389,000 ($302,500 EUR). Contemplate for a moment the future of Dollars.com. Financial and investment services? Premium portal for a large international bank? A state lottery website? Maybe a new online department store like Amazon or Overstock?

I remember registering DollarsPlus.com in February of 2000 thinking initially it would make a catchy name for online investing. I eventually let that one drop after recognizing that generic domains were the better focus, and more bankable. I was right. Needless to say, Dollars.com would have been an ideal selection had it been available.

The domain was originally registered in June of 1995. Pretty early for someone to have jumped on the internet domain bandwagon. It appears that Dollars.com has changed hands at least once with a documented sale occurring July 2007 when Rick Latona sold it for $650,000 to Virtual Network SA.

Currently, it is still registered to: Virtual Network SA, and hosted at Network Solutions (who were a leading domain registrar through much of the 1990′s). My online research suggests that some mysterious gyrations have occurred around Dollars.com. There appears to have been one other prior offer via auction, in 2008, leading to a high six-figure bid. However, there is no record that the offer closed in a definitive sale.

Hard to say if this recent Sedo offer will end in a successful conclusion. Remains to be seen. Stay tuned!

Update: Dollars.com did sell for $389,000.

.COM Domains, Domain Sales .com, investing, premium