PALM BEACH, FL – .net domains, what probably should be the number two domain name extension right after .org for organizations, seem not too attractive these days. Being the -owner of a couple of good .net domains, I like to check in on them occasionally and see what people are doing with them. Unfortunately, Estibot appraisals on .net domains have not seemed to change over the last five or so years; I’m still seeing the same numbers.
I also wanted to look at the top “.net” domain sales “use” according to records kept by NameBio.com and see how and if these names are being actually being used or benefiting related businesses in some way.
The top public listed .net domain sales where:
- Poker.net sold for $750,000 in 2021 (dead or pointless)
- Mobile.net sold for $500,000 in 2014 (dead or pointless)
- Sex.net sold for $454,500 in 2006 (dead or pointless)
- Porn.net sold for $400,000 in 2008 (dead or pointless)
- RealEstate.net sold for $300,000 in 2007 (dead or pointless)
- Lottery.net sold for $220,000 in 2010 (Use)
- Recovery.net sold for $200,000 in 2016 (Redirect)
- DIY.net sold for $200,000 in 2007 (dead or pointless)
- Pisos.net sold for $187,500 in 2007 (dead or pointless)
- CDN.net sold for $185,000 in 2012 (dead or pointless)
As you can see, 80% of the top sales are for names not being used or moonlighting for pointless websites. $2,977,000 million spent on .net domains going to waste for the time being which will probably result in losses when they eventually trade hands at another time.
If you check their “.com” equivalents, its the exact opposite, 80% bonafide use, 20% dead.
- RealEstate.com – didn’t load.
- Recovery.com – parked
- Mobile.com – at least redirects to AT&T.
I don’t think I really need to opine on these results, they sort of speak for themselves.
About The Author: John Colascione is Chief Executive Officer of Internet Marketing Services Inc. He specializes in Website Monetization, is a Google AdWords Certified Professional, authored a ‘how to’ book called ”Mastering Your Website‘, and is a key player in several Internet related businesses through his search engine strategy brand Searchen Networks®
Voice Acting says
We are building VoiceActing.net.
They are valuable if you know how to use it.
John Colascione says
Good luck with the development.
Mansour Elseify says
Why? I sold the domain io.net $118000 check it out it is the next ai . good luck to the buyer.
John Colascione says
congratulations, nice sale.
https://namebio.com/?s==cDN0UzM0IDN
Anonymous says
When it comes to .net only one word dictionary are valuable.
John Colascione says
I would add that they also need to represent something of some commercial value; they should represent a business need or desirable product.
awesome, pleasant, neutral (no good)
Shows, shoes, phones, movies (good)
John says
According to the #’s, .net is the second most popular gTLD after .com; .org is third.
John Colascione says
Take a look at this:
Top 10 Largest TLDs by Number of Reported Domain Names – As of June 30, 2023, the 10 largest TLDs by number of reported domain names were .com, .cn, .de, .net, .uk, .org, .nl, .ru, .br and .au.
https://dnib.com/articles/the-domain-name-industry-brief-q2-2023
John says
Okay, I already knew I was right. It’s the #2 gTLD. The two between .com and .net are only ccTLDs. And .org is 5th there. I suspect there will always be more .net registrations than .org. You wrote this, however: “.net domains, what probably should be the number two domain name extension right after .org for organizations.”
John says
Correction: .org is #6 there. As indicated already, it is #3 for gTLDs.
John Colascione says
I think before the new gtlds release, .net was clearly number 2…. Now, with all the new crap domains out there, it is just more crap on top of crap. – .com = king. – crap = crap.
John says
You seem to just be unduly biased. .Net simply “was clearly number 2” and clearly and unequivocally still is number 2. No “new gTLD” even compares to .net, not even the much older ones like .info and .biz. It is the only other truly established gTLD next to .com. Even .org still contains a strong tinge of “non-profit org” connotation and regional national-centrism despite being only the third also genuinely established gTLD.