How Do I Get My Domain Name Appraised?
By
Edwin John
What’s your domain name worth?
Perhaps it is better to ask how much a potential buyer would
be willing to pay to acquire your domain name. If there was some interest in
your domain name, you ought to, at least, have some kind of idea of its value.
Generally, is the domain good or bad? If good, how good is it?
If you were to visit any domain reseller sites, you will find
literally thousands of ridiculous names. If you scrutinize their asking prices,
it will leave you shaking your head in amazement. They run into the thousands
and even millions. Names like ApeChatsWorth.com.....It would be better to let
them expire or sell cheap if you can find a 'fool'.
So how do you tell if you have a winning name?
I know someone will be quick to say, "That’s easy. Get them appraised."
Well, you could do that. But the problem with domain appraisals is that there
are no industry standards. And you simply cannot put a market value on it and
give an accurate appraisal by any standards. Perhaps, in that sense, a domain
name is different from real estate because it is not something you can see or
touch.
There are numerous companies and sites on the web that will evaluate your
domain and give you their opinion on what your domain name is worth. Their
services cost anywhere from between $10 to $50. They give you a nice certificate
online. But let me tell you that, an appraisal certificate may not necessarily
do anything for your domain name.
As can be expected, a single domain name can have vastly differing values
when evaluated by different appraisers. Values can differ by tens of thousands
of dollars.
You have probably heard it being said over and over again that a domain name
is only really worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Or what the buyer
and seller can agree on to make a deal. So even if a domain name has been
evaluated at $2,000 but if no one wants to pay out more than $200 for it, it is
obvious the real value of the name is far less than the perceived value that it
was originally appraised for.
If you have absolutely no idea what your domain name is worth, getting a
professional appraisal may be useful as well as to give you a basis for an
asking price if there was indeed someone interested in the name or simply to
decide what you want to do with the domain name. A potential buyer already
interested in a domain name you have, may be further swayed towards your
position by an independent appraisal.
However, let me caution you to be careful. There are a number of thriving
scams on the internet designed to play on your emotions and get your money. One
instance is when a so-called "buyer" feigns interest in your domain name but
requests first for an appraisal from a particular appraiser, just to be sure of
the market value, he claims. Then, insists that no other appraisers will do. It
doesn't take a genius to see through this. If you pay for the appraisal, the
so-called 'buyer' suddenly disappears, no doubt to fleece his next victim. Many
fall for this cruel trick in their ecstasy imagining that finally, there was
actually someone wanting their domain name. Before you spend any money, check
out feedback on the website's services from other customers. You can do this at
Alexa.com. Simply enter the name of the website and you can see reviews and
feedback from other customers.
A genuine buyer who wants your domain name is interested in it, NOT because
some appraiser says it is worth a princely sum. But only because he himself sees
it’s intrinsic value and/or has specific plans for the name. Keep this in mind.
There are a number of free domain appraisal services you could try just to
test the waters around your name.
A number of domain name forums have active appraisal boards where you can
post your domain names and someone will evaluate it for you. A search on your
favorite engine will give you several options.
You may also have come across automated computer scripts online that give you
a free instant evaluation of your domain name when you put in certain required
details about your name. Those give you a ballpark figure but sometimes do
grossly inflate the value. It is after all a script.
If you do decide to get and pay for a professional appraisal, make sure you
are engaging a reputable company or you would end up blowing your money.
If you're still undecided, let me take a look at your domain name and I'll
evaluate it for free. No obligations. See http://www.OpenForSale.com/ to submit
your domain name.
Copyright 2005 Edwin John
Edwin John is the author of the top-selling domain ebook, "How I Sell My
Domain Names." A guide that teaches domain owners how to find buyers for their
domain names. Visit:
http://www.OpenForSale.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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