SDX

Came across an interesting article regarding the new Apple iPad and the future of domain names:
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Domain Name Wire » News » Why the iPad is Bad for Domainers - The Domain Industry's News Source
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What do you guys think?

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hawkeye

Bruce Marler and I had this discussion at DF, and it's something that domainers 'should' be wary of! Maybe not today, but in 3-4 years or so.... hmmm.

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bmugford

This might make some difference for amazing top tier generic domains, but most domainers are not Schwartz, Schilling, or Ham so they don't have multi-million dollar domains to start with.

At a normal level much of the value in domains is determined by the term itself, extension credibility, end user potential, branding potential, etc. and not just traffic alone.

Brad

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yilduz

I'm not 100% sure I fully understand what the problem is, I guess mainly because I'm not 100% sure what these apps will do, exactly. Will they take the place of websites and compete with them, or are they something that webmaster will release in addition to their sites? If the former, then it could potentially be a slight issue for some people - but I don't imagine it would be a noticeable one. If the latter, then it could be even less of an issue from a domainer's point of view.

If they're competing with websites, I imagine it would take more work for them to be popular than websites. How many of these apps do you think people will want to keep on an over-sized iPod Touch (or whatever competition comes against them)? The fewer of these apps someone wants to keep on their device, the more difficult it will be for these developers to keep them popular enough to be worth running. Not only that, but if someone makes one of these apps as a source for information rather than making a website, how many people are they really going to reach? How many people will own an iPad? That's like making a website to only be compatible with Opera, except worse. Why limit your focus so much? Also, how will people find these apps? Don't you think the developer would need a website?

If developers are creating apps to coexist with their websites, they still need the domain. What's the issue? Their site will be getting less traffic because the app will take some, so the name is worth less? I doubt it. If anything, they may be more ambitious for the name they want since they're spreading to multiple platforms and they'll likely be keeping the same name along the way.

Maybe I'm completely wrong, way off, going the wrong direction, complete 180, inside out and backwards... or something... I don't know. If nothing else, I'm something for the experts to pick apart, an opposition, an antagonist, a rival, an adversary.

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kemjika11

Its not a good development for domainers,BUT, most people in the world won't use an ipad for a while at least. Genuine Type-ins will stay strong and i don't think we need to panic yet..

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gemstar

There will always be a new appliance made in the world as technology advances. Regardless of the advance we still have to plug them in the old fashioned wall socket to recharge.

No matter what the hype..The old fashioned wall socket, AKA(URL) Still needs to be used.

wwwweb

People are still learning the net, only when the masses change will the rules, not all changes are accepted.

Domagon

It won't kill domaining any more than AOL keywords did. Back when AOL dominated, AOL keywords were very popular - for a time, many of the big name companies strongly emphasized their AOL keyword in advertising.

The iPad is a walled off garden, and like others, it's doom to fail.

Not every website will want to program an app. More to the point, not be held to the mercy of Apple (or any other company utilizing a similar scheme) who decides what apps are allowed, limit app functionality, can cut off an app anytime, add / increase fees, or even piggyback features onto other people's apps, etc. Long term, after the hype has died down, is not an appealing environment - goes counter to the "open" nature of the internet.

Ron

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exsedo

We don't even know if the ipad will be successful yet, but even if it does, I don't think it will make too much difference to domainers.

The biggest threat to domaining is domainers IMO. The recent flood of cybersquatting domains and encouragement from people who should know better. Couple this with the millions of Tm domains and Tm typos hidden on parking programs, redirects to other websites etc. It's a timebomb waiting to go off.

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Ms Domainer

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It's a navigation issue, not a website issue, and the some major domainers may be afraid that URL navigation (aka direct navigation) will be eliminated because Apps will take the place of the browser.

A lot of people here are saying, "Don't worry, it will be a long time before that happens."

Well, all I can say: the internet age came fast and furious and changes have been rapid.

I think that the major domainers have a lot to be worried about, and they may end up taking a bath.

But who knows for sure?


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DNProperty.com

Couldn't agree more. Its a restrictive space and not as cool as the wide open web.

Also, people won't click on the Apps button, they click on Apps that have a Brand. Apps owners will have to market their apps (in a crowded world of apps) and where would they go to market it..most possibly using a website. Apps will need websites (therefore domain names) to promote their brand to the wider audience of the web (Not restricted to apple)
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

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soggyindo

agreed, things change... that's why talking/thinking/debating these things at namepros is such a good bet

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RJ

It's 2010 already. As domainers entering a new decade we need to get real; PPC is a thing of the past. Parking sucks. And "premium" domains are NOT vital to anyone's success on the Internet.

What can we do to be a valued part of the global online community? Embrace new technologies and look for ways to create value.

Remember when domainers were dismissing the potential of the iPhone? Now every other phone company is trying to play catchup with their own smart phones and app stores. The iPhone changed the game.

We're lucky Apple introduced the iPad NOW because it gives us a peek into the future of the Internet. Now let's use our brains and figure out how this iPad can work for us, instead of crying about how our typo domains getting less traffic, because honestly... no one is going to feel sorry for us.

Stay tight,
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

RJ

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noonoo1

Agree and there are many phone manufacturers with diffent apps and what about updating the app constantly and what about changeing to a different mobile. i'm not going to worry too much about this.

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Peter

A few years ago they were saying the exact same thing when people such as Sky made it possible to view web pages via your TV.

It had absolutely no impact at that time and modern technology will continue to have little impact in the short term future over how you browse the Internet.

When Internet TV started it was heralded as an all new way to browse the internet, what we ended up with was a very limited way to navigate pre defined web pages. These pre defined web pages in fact have to pay subscription charges to the likes of Sky to be included therefore there is little take up of this. This of course is not the only reason it has failed to make any impact. The Internet is a very diverse place. You can find information about pretty much anything you like. However the way these technologies are implemented (Internet TV and iPad) if you solely relied on them to access the Internet you would be missing 99%+ if the Internet. Would you want to have to install an app for every little thing you may want to visit on the Internet?

By all means they can have an app for carrying out searches but as things stand the best way to search on the Internet at this particular time is to use search engine. As search engines purely index information rather than fully store (not including cache of course) you still require a proper location to store this resource which of course requires a locatable address. And as things stand Domain names are the best way to accomplish the addressing issue.

By all means if you have a Website that is a service create an app for things like the iPhone or the iPad (or any other popular device) but do not expect this to be your main source of traffic for a long time to come.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

On a side note as has been seen with the Apple store they are making it quite a bit harder now to submit applications. Back a few years they accepted pretty much anything, now they are quite selective. If you require an app for someone to make the most out of your Website you may find it extremely difficult to get that app added. It would get to the point where only the larger business bother.

The onebox mentioned that Google Chrome has is really nothing new. Firefox for a long time (as does Internet Explorer) has been directing users to search engines if the term you entered into the address bar is not a valid resource. This can also be set so that it goes to the number 1 result for that term without you seeing the search engine. All this really does is reinforce what has been stated for a long time. Maximize your SEO results. Where possible ensure you are at near the top (if not at the top) of the relevant keywords your site is aiming for.

Also as previously mentioned AOL had/has their keyword system. With AOL you simply entered a term and AOL took you directly to the Website the term was for if it was contained in their list (Website owners needed to pay AOL for the usage of the keyword).

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labrocca

Apps are more for mobile devices. I think the ipad will be a fail of epic proportions for Apple. I am going to short Apple stock this year heavily. I expect a 30% decline by 2011 in their price.

Ipad = Giant Ipod touch

Why? The funny thing is that if the ipad was released first (Newton anyone?) then it would be the smaller ipod touch version that would be hyped. I don't see how the other way around works. Why would I buy a giant ipod touch that was MORE expensive?

I think Apple knows it can't enter the Netbook market and this is their alternative.

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RogueWriter

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

JMO, apps are going to play a huge role, traffic-wise, and yes I think that will affect domainers income within a few years, if you are simply parking the domain. There will still be endusers looking to buy, however. And I am sure there will be opportunities to advertize on relevant popular apps, as well.

I think it is rather dangerous to go blindly on assuming new technology is not going to affect domaining, the key is a triple A plan: Anticipate, Adapt, and be Aggressive.

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Jawed

Someone above said that ipad.com is doomed to fail. I don't think so. Let's change ourselves in line with the changing technologies. Otherwise the people who are doomed to suffer most are the domainers. I genuinely believe that the honeymoon period of domains is over not just because of iPhone or iPad, instead due to the introduction of new extensions (resulting in more options), growing interests in ccTLDs (again resulting in more options) and the advent of new technologies (and again resulting in more and smart options).

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mindless

The problem is not just the iPad, it is a perfect storm of issues happening to cause type-in to be less important.

Neither Andrew or I said that domains are worthless, but no one can argue the fact that people are getting more intelligent about how they use search (I watched my 3rd grade daughter use both her laptop and iPod touch to navigate through long tail terms to get what she wanted).

Fact of the matter is people hit the search bar to find what they need, that is impossible to argue, it is happening and it will continue to get worse.

Then there is social media, it is important, your domain is hid behind url shortening tools most of the time so it is really all about content and having something peers will recommend to peers. Facebook had as much traffic as Google over Christmas....

And then there is mobile, it is happening, mobile apps, whether it be on the iPad, iPhone, or other devices that will no doubt copy the iPad people will use the apps. It is not the typical walled garden, Apple has had over 3 BILLION with B apps downloaded, seriously people would say that the walled garden approach is hurting them????

People will click on the apps, they will find the information they want from the app they find the most useful and they will probably not even know the domain it came from.

All that said, let me just say it again, people will still surf the web but it becomes about brand and having a category killer is still a great idea but it is not for the holy grail type-in traffic it is about the brand recognition.

This is something that will happen over several years.

A few things to think about as examples:

Before, wired telephone companies thought there was no way they could lose there market, heck the wires connected to the customer.

Today, well VoIP is entrenched, mobile phones are taking away landlines daily. People changed their behavior over time as the technology became easier to use, etc. It happens.

The point is not that the sky is falling, it is that any smart business person looks at the future and prepares his business. They do not scream and yell that it isn't possible and hide their head in the sand they plan and take advantage of the changes.

SEO+Social Media+Mobile Apps=Success

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How to make money online

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Read this and tell if we shouldn't be worried:
10 Steps to Build a $50 iPhone App for Your Blog | John Chow dot Com

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Domagon

Likely cause type-in traffic, especially for marginal domains, to drop more - for many domains, it's already declining due to enhanced search suggestions and other changes; parking revenue is way down from what it was for many folks.

However, websites need to be located somewhere - I don't think too many people / companies are going to be keen on locating their website in the Apple store.

Furthermore, numerous tools / features, such as email need to be associated with a domain - many prefer to use their own domain name for their publicly viewable email address (to be clear, I'm not talking about what email service they're using on the back-end, but what email address is publicly shown on their website / advertising / stationary, etc).

And importantly, domain names lend themselves better to word of mouth / advertising than relying on an app for navigation, especially when multiple companies have their own devices and app stores...

So an advertiser is either going to have to have a long message mentioning the various names / locations of their app on the various services, which can and likely will change over time -OR- simply mention their domain name instead and be done with it.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

Of course, some will choose to utilize both domain and app for traffic, but point is it's highly unlikely most companies would forego domains. There's no reasonable alternative at this time nor on the horizon. Domains are here to stay well into the foreseeable future.

Ron

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DubDubDubDot

Calm down people.

The iPad is just a stripped down desktop computer. Every general function of the iPad has been on desktops for literally decades. If designing individual programs had a higher upside than websites, then we would all have Google.exe, Facebook.exe, Wikipedia.exe, NamePros.exe, etc... icons on our desktop.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=637215

That's not to say mobile apps for internet services won't continue to grow though. They have their own little corner.

Another thing to consider is that aside from reading books in a more comfortable manner than a laptop, tablets are of questionable usefulness right now. Even if that is going to change in some very unforseen way, the average person certainly is not going to have a tablet anytime in the next 5 years.

defaultuser

Build a "mini-app" and they will come.

globegenius

Voice apps will take over I think. You will simply talk and the apps will find it for you. Domains that the bots can easily recognize will probably be good.
All the shortened versions or trick spelling domains could take a back burner unless the owner pays big bucks for the apps to find it. There will be a few big data bases where all domains are like sub domains on it. It will have filters on it also.
As always he who has the gold makes the rules.
Big corporations are tired of taking a back seat in search results to some 10 dollar reg and seo work. How soon it all comes about remains to be seen.

RJ

My mantra for the new decade: LET'S GET REAL.

A nice domain can add credibility, brand enhancement and marketing value to a project, just like fancy 1-800 numbers, but aside from companies like 1-800 Flowers who use the number as their brand name, a company's phone number isn't going to ensure their success. Likewise for domain names. Marketing tools and not much more.

The years of sitting on domains, waiting for the fantasy buyer who just CAN'T live without your valuable domain, are OVER.

Adjust your settings accordingly.

RJ

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