poll Is hyphenated .com more valuable than non-hyphenated .net/,org/.info

[TheBaldOne]

Let us assume a two word .com has been registered, then the question arises as to whether the hyphenated two word domain would be valued compared to the unhyphenated .net/.org/ .info?

Vote on the highest ranking of the value of the hyphenated .com value. (Assumes that the diminishing order of value of the suffixes is .net -> .org -> .info)

 

[bmugford]

@bmugford - So do you think the hyphenated .com is or is not more valuable than the unhyphenated .net? If you do and going with the premise that .net -> .org -> .info then if it is more valuable than the unhyphenated .net it follows it is also more valuable than the unhyphenated .org or .info.

It is really simple to understand.

No, it is far more nuanced than you are making it.

I would rather have SkinCancer.org than Skin-Cancer.com.
I would rather have Pest-Contol.com than PestControl.org.
I think Pest-Control.com and PestControl.net have similar value.

In general though I think a hyphenated .COM is likely to have similar value as the term in NET/ORG unless it is a far better or far worse fit in the extension.

Brad

 

[Joe N]

I think it really depends on the name in question, since the answer could easily be either .org, .net, or a hyphenated .com in different situations.

 

[bmugford]

Of course it depends on different factors, but the poll was specifically aimed at a 'generic' situation rather than specific genres of domain.

What at the moment I find interesting is no one has said that hyphenated domains are worthless, yet in other threads discussing hyphened domains this kind of sentiment always seems to rear its head either directly or indirectly.

The poll options are too limited.

1. hyphenated .com would be more valuable than unhyphenated .net
2. hyphenated .com would be more valuable than the unhyphenated .org
3. hyphenated .com would be more valuable than the unhyphenated .info
4. the hyphenated .com would be of no value whatsoever

The only options are the hyphenated .com has more value or is worthless.

I would generally rather have the term without a hyphen in .NET or .ORG if it fits, but good keywords separated by a hyphen always have value in .COM. Something like Las-Vegas, Real-Estate, Pest-Control, etc.

Many times the values are similar. There is really no option to choose for that.

Brad

 

[CraigD]

I think there is some confusion with many people as to what defines a hyphen or a dash.
.
If a word is truly hyphenated like 'state-of-the-art' then I think state-of-the-art.com is a valid and valuable domain.

If on the other hand someone has merely added some dashes without spaces between words, that is not technically correct grammar, but I cannot personally judge if it is more valuable than a non-dashed alternate extension. It's like comparing apples and oranges IMHO.

 

[Joe N]

This is exactly why it is just a generic domain that is being considered.

The one thing that is for sure, whichever way you look at it, is that a hyphenated .com does have value. Where though the line is drawn in equating a value then needs to be examined further, but this poll, even with its small number of members responding, shows that those saying otherwise are basically wrong.

Now I see why this poll was created. You own some hyphenated names and people gave you flack for it.

Don't get too hung up on random negative feedback. If someone has something constructive to say, and it's coming from a proven background, and they can back it up with information that makes sense to you, then open yourself up to it. Otherwise ignore (particularly if you're making choices based on your own successes).

You don't need a poll to tell you hyphenated names can have value. A good name is a good name. Hyphens, numbers, long, short, ngTLD… they can all sell for good money if you pick the right names.

 

[bmugford]

It depends.

Brad

 

[Joe N]

Of course it depends on different factors, but the poll was specifically aimed at a 'generic' situation rather than specific genres of domain.

What at the moment I find interesting is no one has said that hyphenated domains are worthless, yet in other threads discussing hyphened domains this kind of sentiment always seems to rear its head either directly or indirectly.

If you're looking for a generic answer, then I would say .org holds the most value. A .org name, in my mind, is the only choice where a potential customer would not look at your url and think that you settled for a second best domain name.

 

[Joe N]

org is good for geos
e. g. UNITED-STATES. ORG is a real website. I am an owner.

I think they're typically best suited to non profits (and now crypto currencies), but yes it can work for other things.

If you're operating a commercial site, though, anything but your matching .com name is a step down.

 

[BrandCollectors.com]

names-for-sale.com or namesforsale.com which is more readable in search results?

 

[CraigD]

names-for-sale.com or namesforsale.com which is more readable in search results?

That's a good point also. Hyphens/dashes (whatever we want to call them) ins search results often grab the readers eye first. It may not technically be correct, but it works.

 

[bmugford]

If you're looking for a generic answer, then I would say .org holds the most value. A .org name, in my mind, is the only choice where a potential customer would not look at your url and think that you settled for a second best domain name.

Yeah. As far as legacy extensions go really only .COM, .ORG and ccTLD in some cases are first choices.

Brad

 

[CraigD]

I have to agree with @jamesall on this.
You have limited the options, and whenever I come across a poll that forces me into a position of making a decision that I do not whole-heartedly agree with, I simply don't vote.
When in doubt with polls, allow an 'undecided' or 'other' option.
Nothing personal. Take it as a learning experience

 

[Joe N]

@Joe Nichols - I really do not give two hoots what some people think, this poll was designed to find out the general feeling among domainers as to where the value of hyphened domains lies, a ball park reference and to establish that those who say hyphened domains have no value are in the minority and they are such because they themselves are wrong on this matter.

I'm just saying that it's a moot point.

All that matters is that some hyphenated domains do have value. Their subjective ranking in this kind of list is irrelevant.

Pick the right names and you'll sell some.

 

[TheBaldOne]

Not many votes, surprises me as domainers seem to be split into two camps at either end of the spectrum.

Just as a laugh I just checked out Estibot.com with a domain name I know is fully developed two word unhyphenated .com and is unlikely to fall as it is owned and fully developed by a rather large county in the US.

In this situation even Estibot.com valued the hyphenated .com higher than the unhyphenated .net.

(NB. I am not suggesting anyone takes Estibot.com valuations seriously at all.)

 

[BrandCollectors.com]

. info has no value with or without hyphen imo
info for me like as. xyz or. .site etc.. I have recently gifted a few dictionary. infos so info is not worth even $1

 

[BrandEntrance.com]

Not many votes, surprises me as domainers seem to be split into two camps at either end of the spectrum.

Just as a laugh I just checked out Estibot.com with a domain name I know is fully developed two word unhyphenated .com and is unlikely to fall as it is owned and fully developed by a rather large county in the US.

In this situation even Estibot.com valued the hyphenated .com higher than the unhyphenated .net.

(NB. I am not suggesting anyone takes Estibot.com valuations seriously at all.)

You left out voting options so that's no surprise.

The most obvious being.

Most hyphenated .coms are generally less valuable than nonhyphenated .net and org equivalents.

 

[TheBaldOne]

You left out voting options so that's no surprise.

The most obvious being.

Most hyphenated .coms are generally less valuable than nonhyphenated .net and org equivalents.

I think you will find that is covered by option #3, "hyphenated .com would be more valuable than the unhyphenated .info". Remember the decreasing value associated with each domain as you descend then list of options.

 

[BrandEntrance.com]

I think you will find that is covered by option #3, "hyphenated .com would be more valuable than the unhyphenated .info".

.info is not .org or .net. ...

 

[TheBaldOne]

@CraigD - If anyone thinks this is in anyway supposed to be a scientific poll then they are mistaken, it is simply a simple poll to gauge a general feeling. I have no desire to run a scientific poll - nor could I or would I spend the time to organise such.

A no vote is just that, just like in elections some people would rather not vote.

 

[CraigD]

As of now, this poll has 694 views, 32 responses, and 12 votes.
I bet that if you ran it again with another option (undecided or other?) you would get a lot more poll responses.

 

[karmaco]

The only thing that is absolute as Joe said was that hyphenated names MAY have value not that they unequivocally do have value.

No one can dispute the average person values their words/word of choosing in dot com and unhyphenated. Anything else, is a 2nd, 3rd or 4th so on choice and likely to garner much less money.

Also take into consideration inserting hyphens does not absolve you from existing trademark issues. Be sure to check those.

 

[TheBaldOne]

I love all the 'advice' on how to run a poll, just wonder why those giving the advice just don't run the polls themselves that they suggest?

As it is the poll results have given me close to the results I suspected would occur, it seems to me that:

- circa. 1:5 domainers think hyphened domains are totally worthless.
- however, circa. 4:5 domainers recognise that hyphened domains do have a value.

Seems that attitudes to hyphenated domains are changing, indeed domaining is changing, but some people just do not realise it yet, I would say about 1:5 domainers don't realise it.

 

[Recons.Com]

I love all the 'advice' on how to run a poll, just wonder why those giving the advice just don't run the polls themselves that they suggest?

As it is the poll results have given me close to the results I suspected would occur, it seems to me that:

- circa. 1:5 domainers think hyphened domains are totally worthless.
- however, circa. 4:5 domainers recognise that hyphened domains do have a value.

Seems that attitudes to hyphenated domains are changing, indeed domaining is changing, but some people just do not realise it yet, I would say about 1:5 domainers don't realise it.

Statistics is a science. People, including me, actually spend years studying it, including how to get the polls right for valid results.

Any conclusion from the above poll is worthless, as many, including me, skipped answering it, because there was no correct answer for me.

As Brad and others indicated, if your project is a non-profit or similar, then .org might be even more desirable than the perfect match .com. Many non-profits, churches etc. just go for their .org and don't care that .com is available for hand reg. Also, many European companies will operate on hyphenated version even with non-hyphenated one available.

 

[HotKey]

How about:

Coca-Cola.com for a start, or Harley-Davidson.com

The hyphenated are the actual brand names, that's why they are using it. Both non-hyphenated are taken by the companies, and both are forwarded, as they should be.