advice Advice selling single word .com domain name

panameraxo · Aug 15, 2020

Hey everyone,

Full disclosure - I'm not in the domain name selling or buying business. I am in the tech industry (web developer) but this is a whole different world.

My parents own a small retail store since 1997 with a single english world .com domain name. They will be retiring soon and closing the business so we are looking at selling the domain. Screenshot of data from Semrush on this word (not the domain) here.

I am a bit overwhelmed by the valuation and selling process and not sure where to start. We did a valuation appraisal on Sedo a couple of years ago that valued it at $50k. The GoDaddy valuation tool only returns $8k, so I really have no clue.

Any advice would be great appreciated on how to properly set a starting price for this domain and where to sell it. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/iWCu4w6

zattack · Aug 15, 2020

I've only one thing to say, GoDaddy valuation is worthless. Just don't use it.

It's better to use a domain brokerage service rather than finding a buyer yourself.

panameraxo · Aug 15, 2020

zattack said:
I've only one thing to say, GoDaddy valuation is worthless. Just don't use it.

It's better to use a domain brokerage service rather than finding a buyer yourself.

That's kind of what I figured. Any recommendations on domain brokerage service? I read some poor reviews about Sedo.

uzver · Aug 15, 2020

Can you just sell it to me today for $10-$20k?

Seriously though, while GoDaddy valuations are not reliable, I find it weird that it only shows $8k for a single English word .com. It would normally appraise it at “More than $25,000”. Just try to appraise a few other dictionary words to see the difference.

Is it not so commonly used word?

uzver · Aug 15, 2020

Some of the very well-known domain brokerages (in no particular order):

BuckleyMedia
MediaOptions
GritBrokerage
NameExperts
Lumis
Brannans

I hope that helps

panameraxo · Aug 15, 2020

uzver said:
Can you just sell it to me today for $10-$20k?

Seriously though, while GoDaddy valuations are not reliable, I find it weird that it only shows $8k for a single English word .com. It would normally appraise it at “More than $25,000”. Just try to appraise a few other dictionary words to see the difference.

Is it not so commonly used word?

I may come back to you for that offer!

I just looked again and GoDaddy shows $9500. According to Semrush, the word is searched 40k times monthly in the US and 225k monthly globally. I wouldn't say I personally use the word regularly but even little kids know the word. I just searched a couple related terms and they came back between 10k-20k. I'm assuming that godaddy is looking at the website value and traffic also.

panameraxo · Aug 15, 2020

uzver said:
Some of the very well-known domain brokerages (in no particular order):

BuckleyMedia
MediaOptions
GritBrokerage
NameExperts
Lumis
Brannans

I hope that helps

Awesome! That definitely helps, thank you!!

uzver · Aug 15, 2020

panameraxo said:
I'm assuming that godaddy is looking at the website value and traffic also.

Nope, it doesn’t. There should be other reasons for GoDaddy to show lower value.

CraigD · Aug 16, 2020

Cut out the middle-men and list it for make offer on Sedo, Godaddy, Afternic et al.
If it's good you may get an offer from an end-user.

johnn · Aug 16, 2020

It's all depending on what do you mean by single word.
There are a lot of "Single Dictionary Words" here on this forum but when I check the dictionary I CAN'T FIND them.

Mister Funsky · Aug 16, 2020

panameraxo said:
Any advice would be great appreciated on how to properly set a starting price for this domain and where to sell it.

Automated appraisals are fun to look at but a buy/sell decision should not be made on the 'value' they place on the name. Many factors come into play when determining a price.

Also, you must decide how quickly you want to move the name. This is the place to make a quick wholesale transaction but parking the name with contact information will bring in a retail buyer...eventually. It could take years to get full retail for a name.

I've got many one word domain names. The vast majority are worth little...they are abstract or very related to a niche subject. I do have a few nice ones...the pricing on them ranges from 500 to 50,000.

The bottom line is, as far as price goes, it depends on the name. If you would like an off the record ballpark from me, just send me a direct message.

YairDD · Aug 16, 2020

Can't give you a serious appraisal without seeing the domain

uzver · Aug 16, 2020

CraigD said:
Cut out the middle-men and list it for make offer on Sedo, Godaddy, Afternic et al.
If it's good you may get an offer from an end-user.

I understand the OP’s main issue is appraisal. Listing at Sedo or elsewhere requires some knowledge. Otherwise he would leave the money on the table

panameraxo said:
I am a bit overwhelmed by the valuation and selling process and not sure where to start. We did a valuation appraisal on Sedo a couple of years ago that valued it at $50k. The GoDaddy valuation tool only returns $8k, so I really have no clue.

Any advice would be great appreciated on how to properly set a starting price for this domain and where to sell it. Thanks!

panameraxo · Aug 16, 2020

Thanks for all the responses, I sent you all PMs. I just don't want them to get a bunch of unsolicited messages on their domain (We regularly receive unsolicited offers for 5k - 10k) but would be appreciative of any ballpark valuation ideas.

I like the idea Mister Funsky had to park the domain, that is definitely an option. We are not in a major rush.

Bob Hawkes · Aug 16, 2020

I would echo the advice that in this case you are best served by getting a broker to handle it, and part of their service would be to assist you in setting a target price. While there is nothing wrong with checking GoDaddy, Estibot and NameWorth valuations, or getting a Sedo or other appraisal, it is not surprising there is lot of variation. A broker who regularly handles high-value single-word domain names is more likely to know the right price point.

While not all dictionary words have much value, anything at all common and positive/useful certainly would.

So the plan is to sell it as the domain name, rather than as a business with domain name?

Bob

panameraxo · Aug 16, 2020

Bob Hawkes - Yes, I reached out to a number of the brokers suggested already to try and get the ball rolling. Estibot shows $85k so the variance is substantial between the tools.

We have a backup domain name that we will use for the business until it is sold or closed. I was thinking we will make the URL change now and then redirect traffic from the "for sale" domain to the new domain.

blogspotter · Aug 23, 2020

List it on Afternic, DAN, Uniregistry and SEDO for a price you think is reasonable + 10-15% BIN and see if you get any serious offers.

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