Where are we in the domain cycle...

[wwwweb]

So assuming mainstream domains started being registered around 1994-1996, we are almost coming onto 2010, 15 years into this industry, have we touched the surface, are we set for an curveball change to this industry, or are we simply staying the course with a supply and demand system, that will eventually tighten up?

As many of us who are members of this forum, have warehoused many different niches of domains for whatever purpose development, future potential, buy and sell... are we all pawns in a larger game, or are we on the forefront of something bigger to come?

your thoughts?

 

[DnEbook]

i believe there is a lot of money in the industry so domain names will always be around in some type of form , everything has a title , so do websites , but things change quickly these days

 

[SiberForum]

Don't you think such domain names with such history are kept to be sold. I suppose most of them with web sites already.

 

[Weber]

The market for anything other than premium names has been decimated.
The only thing now is to observe how premiums do.
The Halverez thing is an indication that things have progressed to an unnatural level, just like the US stock market.
Also, the hot shots with the better names for sale on the forum have been mia for months.

 

[DomainTalker]

are we all pawns in a larger game, or are we on the forefront of something bigger to come?

your thoughts?

I think there are two great tectonic plates moving, at the moment, which are, & will, work to effect prices, and the outlook, for domains, for the foreseeable future...


(i) Economics

The shakeout we're experiencing due to the global economic downturn (GFC), and the decline in asset values of all classes in so many countries + tight credit availability for many business & individuals.

The effect of these is currently a classic depressor, of course.


But, everything moves in cycles. So, this downturn will correct itself.....Asset prices will recover...


The calculation is timeframe:

...Will it turn around steadily over the next year, or so...? Or, will asset prices (including domains) stagnate for years...? (Japan has experienced effective deflation & stagnation for 20 years now).


This is truly an unknown, at present, imo.


(ii) The Internet 'Revolution'

The internet, itself, is incredibly young....Its a new frontier - no less a revolution, in terms of its effect (now, and, in the future) on the way we all live, work and play, than the Industrial Revolution of the early 1900's.

Massive changes are in train - right now - that are completely unknowable in how they'll work to effect human systems, organisation, and living into the future.....But, the growth in internet usage can only grow at a fantastic rate from here.


Domains are at the heart of this Internet system.

....So, logically, the demand for domains is hard-wired into the process. This says there will be upward price-pressure, simply because of insatiable demand.


But, as with all New Revolutions, we can't know exactly how they will develop....A breakthrough technology could upend the DNS system entirely - and, render 'language/numerical' internet addresses redundant.


So, the OP's question: 'Where are we in the Domain Cycle?'


Who knows....?


But, my bet's on great money to be made with domains, themselves - and, the building of businesses on them - for the foreseeable future (with patience & imagination)....

.

 

[bgmv]

DomainTalker, I completely agree with your sentiments about the potential of development and the integral part that domains play in the Internet. There are no websites without domains, and lets face it even consumers are starting to notice what an inferior domain is.

Domain names are crucial to any legitimate business that is focused on leaving an impression on their customers. They have slowly become a way of life, even for people outside of our industry - they are common place, this growth can be attributed to the huge success of GoDaddy. As much as many people despise them, we kind of owe them a little - they are making our domains more valuable by educating the public for us.

In closing, domains will be around for another 15 years for sure. There are still great domains to be registered and new technologies/markets are always evolving (green, etc.)

 

[GeoOwners]

I think the warehousing of tens and hundreds of thousands of names is going to bite some peeps in the arse. Google, yahoo, facebook, twitter, see names like computers.com in there?

While some people are sleeping others are making profits creating from nothing.

More and more real estate on the results pages is being taken up by names like wikipedia, yelp, and similar companies pushing "domainers" out of the game unless they develop.


.

 

[labrocca]

I just got a $10k offer. I am happy.

This year has been rocky imho. 2011 should be better for domainers but I think bottom feeders and low-end domainers will not see much benefit. It boils down to quality names. It's been shown that the non CNO domains are very risky and return isn't great. Domaining eventually may require $xx,xxx just to enter the market half-seriously. There was a time 5+ years ago where $x,xxx could get you started with a decent portfolio but not anymore in my view.

So where are we? In a place where the people on the bottom of the ladder are falling off.

 

[Kate]

I think the future is bright for domain names. For domainers, it depends
In the future I could see the average individual owning not one, but several domain names, that will act as the gateway to an ever increasing range of services. In my town, everybody has got 2 or 3 phone numbers (mostly mobile). You can do a lot of stuff with mobile phones nowadays (you can even talk). Likewise, I think that in the coming years awareness about domain names will continue to increase, as they turn out to be obvious choice for personal identifiers on the Internet... because vanity URLs à la Facebook are not the real thing

A decade ago there was talks about domain names becoming irrelevant because of search engines, so many people missed the boat. Truth is, domain names are still important and they are becoming more valuable. You just have to have the faith

 

[owntype]

In the 2nd golden age to buy quality domains for low price.

 

[hawkeye]

Where are we in the domain cycle...

I think the future is bright for domain names. For domainers, it depends

In the 2nd golden age to buy quality domains for low price.

..and maybe last!





anybody listening??

 

[DnEbook]

I think the future is bright for domain names. For domainers, it depends
In the future I could see the average individual owning not one, but several domain names, that will act as the gateway to an ever increasing range of services. In my town, everybody has got 2 or 3 phone numbers (mostly mobile). You can do a lot of stuff with mobile phones nowadays (you can even talk). Likewise, I think that in the coming years awareness about domain names will continue to increase, as they turn out to be obvious choice for personal identifiers on the Internet... because vanity URLs à la Facebook are not the real thing

A decade ago there was talks about domain names becoming irrelevant because of search engines, so many people missed the boat. Truth is, domain names are still important and they are becoming more valuable. You just have to have the faith

even talk ??? ..........rep added for this valuable info !

 

[Ronald Regging]

Apparently we've got a revolution and pointed class inequalities... it's only natural that some heads will roll. This whole business of capitalism has gotten too Marxist for me. I gotta say though, there have been some really great names selling for really cheap. I wish I had more money. If you can afford to get in on some quality names at these prices, I think it'd be a VERY smart move.