question Are single character domains even a factor in nTLDs?

[ChubbyDfat]

I was reading once a while back that with the onslaught of nTLDs, the rarity of single character domains will of course go down (because it was assumed that they would be available in every new extension that comes out). They went further to make the point that the value (in terms of $$$) would drop as a side effect (to as low as $500) because single characters will just not be as rare or hard to find.

I have been keeping an eye on the single character domains and found that nearly all of them are either held by the registry or sold at a premium price (which normally includes premium renewals).

So the question(s) I have:
Are single character domains even a factor anymore inside the nTLDs?
If you are able to snag one at cost (no premium for purchase or renewal), would it be considered a good deal or would you just be throwing $$$ into the wind?
Is there still even interest in single character domains or have we just be so overwhelmed with the current onslaught of extensions and PREMIUMS that we dont even pay much attention anymore?

Just looking for opinions here.

Cheers

 

[bhartzer]

It's going to be pretty rare that you are able to get a single character domain on the new extensions. Many registries are holding them back or marking them as premium domains.

If they are available, then they're being snatched up by domainers way before General Availability, at a premium price.

Yes, I think those single character domains are valuable. Especially e, i, o characters.

 

[brandnow]

I would argue that single character names that make sense, such as N.OOO would be valuable.

 

[ChubbyDfat]

I would argue that single character names that make sense, such as N.OOO would be valuable.

Those would be nice hacks and I guess they would get double points for being both single character and hack but I am thinking more in general terms.

Are single character domains (in general) still valuable?
Is it worth it to pick one up at cost (if you found one with no premiums) or do people not care anymore because we automatically assume they have a premium renewal?

Cheers

 

[mad409]

I was reading once a while back that with the onslaught of nTLDs, the rarity of single character domains will of course go down (because it was assumed that they would be available in every new extension that comes out). They went further to make the point that the value (in terms of $$$) would drop as a side effect (to as low as $500) because single characters will just not be as rare or hard to find.

I have been keeping an eye on the single character domains and found that nearly all of them are either held by the registry or sold at a premium price (which normally includes premium renewals).

So the question(s) I have:
Are single character domains even a factor anymore inside the nTLDs?
If you are able to snag one at cost (no premium for purchase or renewal), would it be considered a good deal or would you just be throwing $$$ into the wind?
Is there still even interest in single character domains or have we just be so overwhelmed with the current onslaught of extensions and PREMIUMS that we dont even pay much attention anymore?

Just looking for opinions here.

Cheers

Not if but when new extensions become more mainstream single L value, IMO will surpass a LL, LLL, LLLL etc..

 

[Kate]

In my view one characters domains are attractive for URL shorteners, in ccTLDs because ccTLDs have two letters. So you have a total of 4 characters including the dot.
Since new extensions are all 3 characters minimum and often more, you will end up with more characters even if the left of the dot is only one letter. So you could as well register an LL.cctld... they are not scarce.

Seriously, what's the point of a one-letter registration in a TLD like .global or .international ? I don't get it...

Why do you want a 1-letter domain in the first place ? For a URL shortener ? For branding ? To resell it ?

I think the value of 1-letter domains is overrated.

 

[vivaldi]

I think the value of 1-letter domains are overrated in general. Also noted many new gTLD investors wasted a lot of money on the 1-letter domains, many dropped after a year mostly bad letters and combos. For me this comes as no surprise.

Can't be many users who would want to pay $440.00 a year for y.holdings, even less who would pay up to buy it from a domainer who need to cover his or her costs and profit on top of that.

The pricing aside, what are they going to use all for? Think @sdsinc summoned it up pretty good.

 

[ChubbyDfat]

I think the value of 1-letter domains are overrated in general. Also noted many new gTLD investors wasted a lot of money on the 1-letter domains, many dropped after a year mostly bad letters and combos. For me this comes as no surprise.

Can't be many users who would want to pay $440.00 a year for y.holdings, even less who would pay up to buy it from a domainer who need to cover his or her costs and profit on top of that.

The pricing aside, what are they going to use all for? Think @sdsinc summoned it up pretty good.

I fully agree... I would not purchase a single letter nTLD domain at $440 per year... I would not even purchase a full keyword nTLD domain for $440 per year but the question at hand is "do they still have value"?

Regardless of why someone/anyone valued single character domains (shortener or rarity) prior to the onslaught of nTLDs, now that there are so many new extensions... do single characters domains still hold any value?

I am asking in regards to NO PREMIUMS... would you consider it a worth while speculation to pick up a single character domain for the normal price ($10-$30 per year)?
What would you consider the value/price (if you think they have one) of a single character domain?
**If someone offered Q.xyz (for an example) for normal price (no premium) would you pick it up... if so what value would you speculate it was worth? **

I am just trying to get the crux on if single characters domains still have value. I understand that not all extension are created equal...but it is just a pure and simple question without over thinking the factors.

Cheers

 

[vivaldi]

I fully agree... I would not purchase a single letter nTLD domain at $440 per year... I would not even purchase a full keyword nTLD domain for $440 per year but the question at hand is "do they still have value"?

Regardless of why someone/anyone valued single character domains (shortener or rarity) prior to the onslaught of nTLDs, now that there are so many new extensions... do single characters domains still hold any value?

I am asking in regards to NO PREMIUMS... would you consider it a worth while speculation to pick up a single character domain for the normal price ($10-$30 per year)?
What would you consider the value/price (if you think they have one) of a single character domain?
**If someone offered Q.xyz (for an example) for normal price (no premium) would you pick it up... if so what value would you speculate it was worth? **

I am just trying to get the crux on if single characters domains still have value. I understand that not all extension are created equal...but it is just a pure and simple question without over thinking the factors.

Cheers

I actually bought one for $72 because I got stats on L sales on that extension, and should make at least a decent ROI in short time. With q.xyz I would pick it up because I know who would buy it for more. If I didn't, I probably would gamble on it if it were that cheap. Not worth much but more than $1 to a limited few. (or and if the extension is taking a market share of importance in China). That's the only hope for that specific extension, the asian market.

Maybe just maybe and this is a guess, L.randomnewg with low renewal would fetch something like $xx-$xxx from domainers. But then I'm unsure this market runs slowly, heck domainers are still paying a lot for .info and .net.

 

[wot]

I would argue that single character names that make sense, such as N.OOO would be valuable.

I thought so too!

Lost S.OOO & T.OOO as well! And not a peep from the registry or infibeam.

 

[bhartzer]

I would not purchase a single letter nTLD domain at $440 per year...

Unless, of course, your company's name was Y Holding, Inc., which then of course you're looking at only one potential buyer, which is Y Holding, Inc.

But I see i.gifts, e.gifts, etc. valuable, I prefer them over igifts.com or egifts.com.

 

[ChubbyDfat]

Unless, of course, your company's name was Y Holding, Inc., which then of course you're looking at only one potential buyer, which is Y Holding, Inc.

But I see i.gifts, e.gifts, etc. valuable, I prefer them over igifts.com or egifts.com.

But at $440 per year?... You make a great point, If I had an exact match company name (like the one you stated "Y.holdings") it only makes sense to pick it up, even at that price.

Now I have picked up a few single letter nTLD domains at cost (no premiums or premium renewals) and maybe I was misguided in my thought processes (which is what I am trying to sort out now).
I will keep them ($300+/- and I have them registered for 10 years) to see how this all plays out with minimum financial burden but that is now what is at hand here.

In general does the fact that its single character/letter bring any perceived value to the table?
Y.holdings: Does this have value (to anyone outside of an exact match company name)?
Y.gifts: Does this have value (does not fit in the fore mentioned I, E, O)?
Y.ooo: Does this have value (even though the registrar took them all back.. which leads me to believe that the registrar believes it does)?
Y.horse: Does this have any value (even though the extension sucks *IMO*)?
Y.Whoswho: Does this have value (yes that is a real extension)?
**ALL OF THESE ASSUMING THAT THEY ARE BASE PRICE FOR THAT EXTENSION TO INCLUDE BASE RENEWAL**

Regardless of the what letter or number you place in front. Regardless of what extension you place right of the dot.
Does the fact that its a single character domain give it more value (even perceived) then any other base line price domain in that same extension?

Is there a real reason why most (if not all) the single character domains are either reserved or sold at premium prices (which leads me to believe that they have value)?

I appreciate your thoughts on this.
I am just trying to narrow it down to the core question. Do they have value because they are single character/letter?

Cheers