A Domain Name For Xmas?

Have you ever purchased a domain name to give @ Xmas, or did you receive one as a gift?

A good idea?

 

Back in '07 a friend had a new-born daughter, and I purchased her full name in .COM as a gift. I let him know I would transfer it at his request and held it for five years before dropping it.

Whether the notion of gifting a domain name is a good or bad idea would depend on a few factors. I can think of a number of domains that would be a bad gift.

 

I have experimented with giving domains for gifts. For me the experiment has not gone well.

I hope others have success stories, as I do not.

 

I have bought names for others over the years...the .com gift was usually for one or two years...many times I ended up having to decide at the 4 or 5 years expiration point whether to renew or let go.

To date, not one recipient has held on to the name long term (one that was dropped sold for mid xxxx a year or so ago). There is one .com name left in my Epik account that was 'gift desiganted'...time will tell if my niece REALLY wants that name for her gift shop or not as I am letting that gift/albatross go!

 

I think the most appropriate age to receive such a gift would be just post high school when having a personal site for promoting a cv, staring a business, building a side gif, etc. might be most appreciated. As in many things though I think a gift certificate or money for one might be better than someone else selecting one.

We did gift one to an adult daughter along with running a book site on it for her and she really appreciates it. I discussed some merits, but she selected the name. I just added 5 years registration last month.

Bob

Ps I did publish an article on this topic on NameTalent last December.

 

I can't see it as being a good idea. What the gift buyer and recipient see as a "best fit domain" are never going to be the same.

Lets face it, even personal names aren't a great idea in dotcom/cctld (for email) unless you have some very good anti-spam software running. Your gift could even become a burden for the non-techie.

Such well meaning acts remind me of the times around the early 2000's when I would often suggest good available domains to non-technical friends. The often Blank Looks told me not to bother.

Not forgetting that given all the registration discounts available, you'll probably even be seen as a Cheapskate

* Bobs post does of course bring a different side to things when your providing on-going support to a site in readiness or planning

 

for me it´s still a trial and error process combined with a fail often and fast mentality

thats why i bought: xmas dot loans and credit which are more from the finacial perspective...

i followed another stupid idea: glühweinliebe dot TLD

and thought balticchristmas dot TDL could be generic enough - it has some traffic but at the end less

good luck!

 

Unless they have a passion, or immediate use, I would not, it will just end up at Huge Domains, as it's going to get dropped, if they have no interest in it.

 

Same, there is no one I know outside of domaining that wants anything to do with a domain. I once found a great name for a relative for their business, I said if you like for your birthday, I will get you this. Their reply, "Like f*ck you will, that's no gift, no thank you"

 

TWAS.ca

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

 

At least they were polite about it.