hyphenated domain names

Hi guys,

I have found a decent 2 word hyphenated domain name, in you opinion is there any point buying it as they don't really seem to sell on domainlore etc.

Thanks

 

It's difficult to rank sites with hyphenated domains and that may be the reason for low resales. Most hyphenated domains/sites compete with non-hyphenated.

 

If the unhyphenated is owned by someone known to sell for big prices or be difficult to get in touch with, then it maybe worth while.

If the unhyphenated is active then likely not, there are exceptions to this tho.

A good guide is to google similar words, and see if there are hyphen and unhyphenated listings. For example manchesterhotels, manchester-hotels, hotelsinmanchester, hotelsmanchester and various other domains may exist in the search index (not merely registered but actual sites) which can indicate it maybe worth a look.

 

Personally, I think if nothing is being done with the non version and you know you cant afford to buy them, then the hyphened version will be fine.

As a rule I follow, always opt for the non hyphened version where possible.

 

Depends on your plans.

If it's to resell then I would focus on a reasonable flip to an and user. Domainers don't like hyphens but it can be easier to convince an end user that it't a good name (providing you're not going mad on your pricing!)

If you're going to develop then a hyphen can work, and still rank, so for the sake of £6 I'd say it's worth a punt.

I've developed several .org.uk's then taken the earnings and bought the much higher priced .co.uk

 

Depends how decent it is - for something like online-casinos.co.uk, hell yes.

On the other hand I wouldn't bother with sometown-hotels.co.uk.

 

I would only advise to buy hyphenated domains when they have significant traffic statistics. As a re-sell only value they're not worth much I'm afraid.

 

Hyphenated domains are hard to sell.
Think about it, would you buy one.
If you build a site on it you are simply increasing the value of the unhyphenated name and if you ever come to sell a business with a hyphenated domain you will need to buy the unhyphenated to satisfy the buyer of your business, and the price by then will probably have increased significantly.
There are always exceptions but apart from no brainers like mobile-phones etc. the above rule will apply for most situations.

 

I've found that my hyphenated domains have sold quite well to end users if priced sensibly. Particularly when then unhyphenated version is held by a domainer also.

Stephen.

 

Yes I see where you are coming from, sales between domainers.
My opinions are almost always based on end users, which is where the domain should end up.

 

That's rubbish, see sense.

Hyphenated domains are never worth anything unless you develop them yourself or like Bald idiot says they are in a very competitive market.

Stay away from this worthless rubbish.

 

We all have our cross to bear.

 

That's a ridiculous statement. If they're worth something for you to develop, they're worth something to other people too.

Just not as much and in a more restrictive way than non-hyphenated domains..

 

Yeah im sure there are definatly occasions where hyphen domains are worth registering/have value if they have quality. I registered cloud-companies.co.uk for reg fee speculating the non hyphen would be worth min mid xxx to an end user.

 

As a developer, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. I get one now and again as part of a deal for the non-hyphenated equivalent, but I have never offered more for including them and I generally let them drop.

 

deleted..sorry

 

That's the point - they have to be developed to be worth anything.

As a domain name it's worthless unless you have development skills - but then we are talking about the value of a domain + website.

What's ridiculous is you thinking that everyone can develop a hyphenated domain name - and once you've done it, and done all that work, someone is going to remember to type in the hyphen. That's what is ridiculous.

 

See how many hyphenated domains Edwin has in his portfolio.