Am I mad to do this?

[inbound]

I'd like your thoughts on whether the domain-loving side of me is colouring my judgement on something too much.

I have a not-for-profit project that I'm passionate about and I am looking at buying a domain for it to live at. The problem is that the domain (a .org.uk) I want to buy is going to cost around £2000 and I will never see a penny of that back (as there will be no income stream for the project so it can't even be paid back to me as a legitimate expense).

The domain is not neccessary for the project, but it's a very nice domain for the site in question and conveys a sense of authority (so realistically may make it easier to spread the word about).

Should I spend the money or go with an alternative domain that isn't as good but I already own?

Thanks

 

[boxfish]

In my opinion it's just the same as buying anything to do with a hobby. Better helmet and leathers for motorbiking, better golf clubs, better tyres/wheels for a car.

If you can afford it and you want to do it then do.

What's the site about?

 

[retired_member36]

If you can afford to buy "the domain in question" and would prefer it, and are sure you can commit to the project, id say go for it...

 

[PaulGregory]

The difference between this and some other hobbies is that you are also putting time and effort into building the site, which has a value. If that time is worth £2,000 (and it easily could be) then anything that will increase the chances of your project being successful will help ensure that your time isn't wasted. Also, if you've spent £2k on the name, you'll be more motivated to get the site finished!!

It sounds like you will achieve the goals of your project easier with the better name.

Another way to look at it: if with your domainer hat you believe that it's worth people spending money on a good domain (rather than it just being a nice thing that people give you lots of money), it probably helps your overall image that your personal project has a good name.

So you're not mad to spend £2,000 on a domain you really want even if the "really need" and "will pay for itself" are questionable.

It may be worth seeing if the seller has anything else listed that you can bundle together for a deal.

 

[websaway]

Is the domain worth £2000 ?
If so it has a resale value, so therefore no real cost.

 

[fish]

I have a not-for-profit project that I'm passionate about

I will never see a penny of that back

The domain is not neccessary for the project, but it's a very nice domain for the site in question

Should I spend the money

Conviction seems to be your stumbling block.

Personally I don't think you can be that 'passionate' about it, if you were then you wouldn't be questioning the purchase.

 

[inbound]

Thanks everyone, I have made an offer on the domain.

 

[khalid]

Conviction seems to be your stumbling block.

Personally I don't think you can be that 'passionate' about it, if you were then you wouldn't be questioning the purchase.

Not sure I agree. I'm passionate about the work the SSPCA do and donate via direct debit but wouldn't give them £2k if I had it, unless I had a hell of a lot more in my account.

It's obviously a big purchase for the user.

 

[namealot]

Whats the co.uk org net etc are they official sites? are you talking charity or something else? Money is immaterial if it helps and wasted if it doesn’t. Personally if it is a genuine cause e.g. cancer, blind, mental illness, homelessness etc and the seller wanted 2k I’d tell them to take a hike find an abbreviation another TLD etc thousands coming out reg one of them and give the £ to the charity

 

[inbound]

I've bought the name and just waiting for the transfer to complete. Ended up costing £1800 and I think that's a fair deal for both parties.

The name is a single word that has very large commercial relevance (the .co.uk would probably be 6 figures) but does not fit with commercial usage in the .org.uk extension. Thankfully, the .org.uk perfectly suits the project and I'm delighted that the seller had a realistic price.

Now I need to knuckle down and make the project a success, it's a big job but I'll enjoy it. Sorry I can't say just now what the domain is, I will consider whether to state what it is once the transfer is complete.

 

[Retired_Member38]

As someone who's bought/developed a lot of .org.uk's I'd be interested to know which 6 figure in .co.uk, sold for £1800 in .org.uk if you don't mind sharing at some point