question Drop bluechip.investments? Noobie Mistake

[Truth]

Hello everyone,

I am new to domain names. I wanted to find a decent domain name prior to creating a business or service in that name. I got hooked to Blue Chip Investments, but decided that instead of contacting the owner of the dot com, I would use the extension as a hack. This was only recently reg'd 3 days ago, so I am in the 5 day time frame where I can drop it with full refund.

Three days later and a ton of reading, I've realized this seems like a mistake. If I was successful in any business venture, I'd have to acquire the dot com later anyway for a higher price (especially since the dot com seems to be owned by semi-large domain investor), the renewal fee for the dot investments gTLD is higher (and likely to go even higher over time given its lack of popularity), and the overall demand for dot investments domains is rather low.

Before I return the domain tomorrow, I thought I'd ask here for thoughts on whether or not it is worth the reg fee ($30)? I doubt it, but thought I'd ask anyway since I don't have adequate valuation experience yet. Thanks.

 

[Aspiring Billionaire]

Shorter is almost always better. But personally (as a consumer) I would click on the link and view the domain-name/web-address as trustworthy and notable (without seeing the website and content quality of course). With that said, I'd stick with it.

IMO, you should worry about acquiring the .com when this venture makes enough profit to pay for the .com. If you're able to afford the .com right now, you should weigh it against how serious this venture is to you (money, time and resource investment). From my understanding, this is an online business idea, not a domain name investment, right?

You do of course still have every other possible extension available as an option to you .

 

[Truth]

Aspiring,

Yes, this is an online business idea and not a domain investment. However, I have around another month or two to create a name. I wanted to acquire the relevant domain name for said business prior to this. Since I am not required to stick with this name, it'd make more sense for me to just pick another name where the dot com is available (or cheaper in secondhand market).

EDIT: From my reading, it seems having the dot com is all that matters from a business perspective in most cases, and that you eventually have to acquire the dot com even if successful with another extension. Hence my caution about registering dot net, for example.

EDIT 02: Now that I think about it, I am asking if it is worth being a domain investment. Since I can create another brand with dot com, I am curious if I should keep or drop bluechip.investments. I've read that you should be ready to keep a domain for a minimum of 3 years, so around $90. I'd have to be able to sell it for more than $90 at minimum to be worth keeping (more if you count the opportunity cost and required return). Sounds unrealistic to me, but want to ask all of you.

 

[Aspiring Billionaire]

In that case, I'd return it. I don't think anyone else will scoop it if you decide to register it in another month or two. 30 to 60 days is ample time to do more research here on namepros (past threads) and elsewhere.

It won't hurt to make an inquiry on the .com either, it's the only extension registered with several drops in other tld's. This information could help when negotiating with the owner of the .com.

You are correct about the .com (in your edit), but there's nothing wrong with paying a premium for the .com once you're more established and can afford it. Settling for an alternative extension or hack is better than settling for an inferior name (especially from a branding perspective).

 

[Truth]

Thank you Aspiring, your assistance is appreciated.