question What if a non-.com website has the .com version available for hand registration?

[zyos]

What if a website uses a non-.com extension, but the .com version is available for registration?
In that case, what criteria would make you buy that domain?

 

[cooljub]

Hi, generally none.

 

[johnn]

You can register and ask them if they want it for free.

 

[DomainBFF]

I actually have used this model for inventory level names and have a python script that identifies actively used names in non .com then checks the name.com api for .com availability.

You’d be amazed how many clever and creative gym/boutique/retail etc brands are out there being used in other countries. Dotdb and amount of tlds regd is generally used as a positive indicator for a domains value, so I don’t see why this would be any different.

Just make sure you aren’t infringing on any trademarks and reg away. But don’t try to turn around and flip it to the country tld immediately because they likely would have already regd it, and outside of the US country codes like .co.uk are seen as more trustworthy.

 

[biggie]

Hi

if it’s available, then why didnt they register it before you?

imo…

 

[Eric Lyon]

You have a few options (as others have already indicated):

1. Pass on it and find something else - No Risk
2. Register it and offer it for free to the one you saw - Low Risk
3. Register it and develop a business model in a completely different industry as one you saw - low Risk
4. Register it, put it up on a sales lander with a price tag and wait (No outbound) - Medium Risk
5. Register it, land it, price it, monetize it and outbound it (to a vertical niche) - Medium to High Risk
6. Register it, land it, price it, monetize it and outbound it specifically to the one you saw - Highest risk

Note: Risk assessment is gauging the likely hood of a potential legal action against you that could result in the domain being reclaimed by the registrar or registry, losing a UDRP being filed and/or financial loss.

The risk levels are actually on a sliding scale, that can go up or down depending on what you do with the domain name once in your possession.

For example: Even things out of your control can raise the risk level, such as, but not limited to listing your domain on a 3rd party sales lander that you can't fully customize and automatically shows ads on the landing page relevant to the domain (Many, not all, parking companies and marketplaces with landers serve ads on the page). Unfortunately, if an ad is displayed that results in any actions (Click, buy, subscribe, etc.), it could be considered an attempt to profit off an existing trademark confusingly similar to your domain.

In a case like that, a medium risk domain could easily slide into the highest risk category.

What ever you decide to do, good luck!