Newbie question about sets of names

Allie · May 21, 2008

I'm interested in whether or not it is worthwhile (or even essential) when buying a dotcom name to buy the net, org and info also, if possible. Obviously this would make it very expensive to buy a name, but if you came across a name you were sure was a very good one, would it sell more easily if you could offer the whole set? If so, by how much would this raise the price of the dotcom, assuming it did?

And a related question: if you come across a brandable name (say, for example, picklick) and you wanted to put it with several generic words (say cars, dvds, cds, clothes, and so on) would these names be more marketable together? In fact, if you didn't sell them together would it not be the case that no one would be interested in any after the first one - in fact, the owner of the first one could, if he or she set up a site and trademarked the name, prevent the sale of your other variations?

aZooZa · May 21, 2008

I've always gone the 'whole hog' when I think a anme is strong and all the extensions are available. I go too far sometimes: www.payfor.com -- these are not for sale so I'm not trying to plug here; just showing how 'overboard' it can get.

For brands generally the easiest way is to subdomain them if you have a strong key name.

It all depends how much investment cash you're prepared to allocate to a single project really.

Admin · May 21, 2008

If you are going to develop a site, try to get all the top level domains at least.

accelerator · May 21, 2008

Just remember that it's very easy to get carried away and that can be expensive.

If you were building a site and spending money on building a brand and advertising it, that is the time to make sure you get all the extensions available, and so far I have done that with just one of my sites.

Regarding just domaining, focus on getting the best extension available first, e.g. .com or .co.uk if you want country specific. I often just buy the best one, but I then make a note that the lesser extensions are also available. I'm not worried if someone else gets them later, if I have the .com I have the most valuable. As a domain investor, you want to have a diverse portfolio that will build value. If you keep registering all the different extensions when you have an idea for a given name, you will spend more money without diversifying your risk very much.

Just my opinion.

Rgds

Allie · May 22, 2008

Thanks, everyone. That's all very helpful.

AZooZa, that's cool! You're obviously into this one in a big way. Good luck with it. But don't worry, I won't be thinking of emulating you - the top four is all I'm thinking, if I really love the name and have a clear idea of its development, as you have.