Social.com - Opening bid of $5 million

[nametrekker]

I remember the owner soliciting an appraisal of this great domain social.com, which he registered in 1995, on this forum, a few years ago, as you can see below: The whole thread is available for viewing if you search social.com
Interesting to see the appraisals from the various parties who contributed feedback.

In any case, congratulations to the owner, who seems like a very nice and astute gentleman. Bravo, and may the Social.com sale break the records. At year's end, I'm sure this will be the highest sale.

Here's how the Owner of Social.com began the thread, which was 4 pages:

"I'd like to get some appraisals from the members of this forum on the name
Social.com

This is the 6 letter dictionary word.

Some history on the name:

I registered the name in 1995. In that year, I was using the name for a web site I called the Social Cafe. The Social Cafe was Cool Site of the Day on Jun 22, 1995

In October of 2006 the name was out of my possession for a couple weeks until my Registrar at the time, Namesecure, was able to recover it. It is now at Moniker and I intend to put it up for auction in early 2007.

Your kind opinoins are appreciated!

- BlueSkies"

actually interesting to see some folks on this forum who appraised Social.com as a million dollar domain, while others said much much less.

I knew it was valuable. I also knew he tried to sell it for $50 K USD back in 1997, and he tried to monetize other sites through the domain. Very prescient of him securing the name in 1995, and even having to re-acquire it after apparently it got transferred out of his account in 2006.


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[johname]

Just reading above its so unclear when the name was no longer yours, how you got out of it. You say he reg it in 95 then you say you reg it in 95.

which he registered in 1995

I registered the name in 1995

 

[jkennedy]

Just reading above its so unclear when the name was no longer yours, how you got out of it. You say he reg it in 95 then you say you reg it in 95.

I think he was quoting the original thread starting at the "I'd like to get some appraisals" line.

 

[BeZazz]

Just reading above its so unclear when the name was no longer yours, how you got out of it. You say he reg it in 95 then you say you reg it in 95.

Bottom half of opening post is a actually a quote.

 

[glaxxon]

What a name. But i believe this is not the right time to sell it. The web is moving towards being social as can be seen by the moves of companies like Google.
I believe the ideal time to sell it would be in the years to come, probably in the next 5 years. It has the potential to go for 8 figures.

 

[Dave]

What a name. But i believe this is not the right time to sell it. The web is moving towards being social as can be seen by the moves of companies like Google.
I believe the ideal time to sell it would be in the years to come, probably in the next 5 years. It has the potential to go for 8 figures.

Personally I feel that $5 million is a very very good price for this name. While I agree that the web is moving towards being social, recent history shows that social networks/sites work better with brandable names like Facebook, Bebo, Myspace, Groupon etc. A social networking/information/tools/apps/whatever site called 'Social' sounds boring, right?

 

[maxeaus]

Its funny when i read the thread with link over on the "other forum", that the owner couldn't sell it for 50k back in 97/98, and more than likely wont sell it now at 5 million, he himself says he struggled to work out how to develop it.

It is almost too generic when any $8 brandable domain can do the same job at a social networking site. Basically i fear he has missed the boat on this.

I actually prefer HorseRacing.com in the sale but wouldn't be paying 5 million for that either, but i would much rather have HorseRacing.com anyday over Social.com if they were an equal price.

I am also perplexed as to how a group of $10 to $20 LLLL.com managed to get in the auction with domains of this calibre on offer......very strange.

 

[Dave]

It is almost too generic when any $8 brandable domain can do the same job at a social networking site. Basically i fear he has missed the boat on this.

Exactly. Thats what I was trying to say! :imho:

 

[johname]

Yes if you get 5 mil its a great time to sell

 

[DU]

Don't forget it's a Typo of SoCal.com too. That adds value.

The best generics rarely make the best interactive sites sold on the idea that the name makes the business. Not saying the corollary is true that crappy domains make the best sites, but there's definitely a sweet spot in there where smart companies make smart decisions on brands. Looking at a lot of the new up and coming start-ups, creativity and viral marketing capabilities speak far louder than a generic name.

Social.com is an absolutely awesome NAME. It's only an awesome ASSET if you put something DECENT on it.

Should park it - InternetTraffic.com will pay that in a year or so. (j.k)

 

[RTM]

I think it may be "worth" $5m, but ultimately it's what the market decides....

I think a made-up name works better (cheaper) for a new social site, but social.com would be a great name for an aggregator...

Rob

 

[WebsiteDeck]

Totally worth the $5 million only if I had that much to spend on a brand. That name would crush sites like mashable and techcrunch.

 

[DU]

Totally worth the $5 million only if I had that much to spend on a brand. That name would crush sites like mashable and techcrunch.

I seriously think you are confusing a name with a site and content.

That said, mashable is actually a great name given what it represents (though slightly dated).

 

[johname]

Anyone here would rather have the name Social.com than $5 million ?

 

[DU]

Anyone here would rather have the name Social.com than $5 million ?

Does this have to be an 'or' question?

It's not a fair question: I'd rather have $1 million and two picks in the next Indy 500 than sex.com.

Convenience is underrated imo - as is having fun on domaining forums...

 

[GoQuickly]

I would hold out personally for another 5 years on this domain and see how the world develops around social networking.

Right now it's on the rise and will continue to rise with new technology.

That domain could easily be work double the appraisal to the right buyer.

 

[Kate]

Anyone here would rather have the name Social.com than $5 million ?

Not me. I will PM you my account number :hehe:
Sounds like a fashionable name but 5M is a lot of money and there is hardly any money in social.
But it's not sold yet :gl:

 

[Dotmainer]

For me it's just ok name. Yes 'Social'-Networks are rising or currently at pike.

BUT how many people say "Facebook is Social (Networking) site"
a ) in US ?
b ) and i think outside of US maybe just 2% mostly tech people would associate that term with Facebook etc.

At least if i think more it can (could) have some old stigma like .org , like in "social security number".

Yes, nice name but just nice.

 

[carob]

Good name for offering secondary services B2B for using social networks, such as friends shopping and travel recommendations and comments.

So no, I don't see it being a social site itself, but a seller of related services which imo will be big.

 

[the_poet]

As others have said, it's a very nice domain, but certainly not worth $5,000,000. I see it more towards the medium to high $xxx,xxx range.