DNCart – Domain Network

Bido.com a unique new domain auction marketplace has launched today. Bido will be hosting a single high-quality domain name auction per day with expert commentary and research.

First Auction a Success

The domain name “DiscountImages.com” was successfully sold at Bido auction for $911 to “TheMadHat” which I can only assume is Aaron Chronister of Mad Hat Media Group, LLC (SEO and Marketing specialists). Congrats on the purchase Aaron!

Upcoming Bido Domain Auctions

DotSauce has been approved as a Bido expert! Be on the lookout for my comments on upcoming auctions. Here is a listing of the next week of domains to be auctioned off, starting with GolfIowa.com tomorrow.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Bido Successfully Auctions First Domain on Launch Day

“CBS is making a major Internet and news powerplay, acquiring CNET for $11.50 per share (44% more than CNET is trading at) for a total of $1.8 Billion. Acquiring CNET and its $406 million per year in revenue is a big and bold move by CBS.” via SEJ.

CBS has a network of over 300 local affiliates who publish content and reach 82% of all online users in the United States. This acquisition should make CBS the 10th most popular website on the Internet.

$1.8 Billion – Steal of a Deal for CNET’s Domains?

CNET has always been known to be the owner of several extremely valuable domain names, I would even go so far to say that domains such as News.com, TV.com, Com.com, Search.com are invaluable. This is, in my humble opinion, one of the smartest acquisitions I have ever seen. The value of the .com brand names involved in this trade is amazing.

Watch this video from Yahoo! Finance with more insight into the deal.

CNET’s Domain Portfolio Includes these Gems

• News.com
• TV.com
• Search.com
• Download.com
• Downloads.com
• Upload.com
• Chat.com
• Com.com
• Help.com
• Shopper.com
• Radio.com
• Mp3.com
• Kids.com
• Computers.com

CNET’s Established Online Presences…

• GameSpot.com
• Chow.com
• ZDnet.com
• BNET.com
• MySimon.com
• UrbanBaby.com
• TechRepublic.com

What are your thoughts on CBS Purchasing CNET?
Please leave a comment below.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

CBS Buys CNET Along with Some of the Most Valuable Domains in the World

The blogger behind ThinkingSerious.com, Elmer Thomas, happened to run into the original owner of iPhone.com at Starbucks; see the video interview below.

Michael Kovatch started an internet company in 1993 and was inspired by Microsoft’s now ancient communications software “Net Meeting.” After searching for and finding InternetPhone.com unavailable, Michael reserved his domain iPhone.com knowing that the internet would be used for phone service in the not-so-distant future.

Once again, Starbucks proves to be a great place to meet interesting people. Today, I met Michael Kovatch, who is recently “Internet” famous for selling iPhone.com to Apple… Following is a brief video interview where Michael explains how he acquired iPhone.com…

Via: ThinkingSerious.com

Quite an interesting story, a realistic glimpse into the beginnings of domaining as we know it.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Before Apple’s iPhone there was iPhone.com

Moniker has published the TRAFFIC East live domain auction inventory! Over 2,700 domain names will be included in the live and extended online auction.

Download the Auction Inventory Catalog (Excel)

There are hundreds of generic words and phrases, premium GEO domains as well as three 2 letter .com domains (OH.com, YQ.com and JF.com). Popular first name domains up for bid are Doug.com, Susan.com, Patti.com and Hector.com.

Some amazing domains that will be featured in the live auction:

• NAME – OPENING BID
• Pay.com – $1MM – $5MM
• Idol.com – $100,001 – $250,000
• Greek.com – $250,001 – $500,000
• Action.com – $250,001 – $500,000
• Longer.com – $50,001 – $100,000
• Marina.com – $100,001 – $250,000
• Yachts.com – $1MM – $5MM
• Jackpot.com – $1MM – $5MM
• Partner.com – $250,001 – $500,000
• Closings.com – $10,001 – $25,000
• Rainbow.com – $100,001 – $250,000
• Athlete.com – $100,001 – $250,000
• Israel.com – $5MM and up

Information on registering to participate in the auction can be found at Moniker here.

Best of luck to all buyers and sellers!

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

TRAFFIC Orlando Master Auction Catalog Published

The TRAFFIC East live domain auction in Orlando, Florida is expected to feature hundreds of premium quality domain names. Over 110,000 domain names have been submitted for review. The highest quality names will be included in the live auction, hosted by Moniker and powered by SnapNames.

Those names which are less than extraordinary will be pushed back to the extended live auction where bids can be placed online.

TRAFFIC East Auction Schedule

TRAFFIC East Premium Contenders

These high quality domains will most likely be seen on the auction block.

 Calcium.net		Denmark.net		How.info
 OH.com			TVSchedule.com		Confession.com
 BodilyInjury.com	Athlete.com		Gouda.com
 AirlineFares.net	DesktopComputer.com	Invest.org
 Organic.info		ForSale.mobi		Emeralds.net
 BadCredit.net		Track.com		GoatCheese.com
 BabyFood.com		DiscountTravel.com	LaptopComputer.com
 Pay.com			Men.mobi		Groceries.net
 Israel.com		Grass.com		Havarti.com
 Boats.mobi		Drugs.mobi		Lemons.com
 Religion.mobi		AutoBody.com		Koran.com
 Jackpot.com		Model.net		Judgment.com
 ClothesShopping.com	FootballScores.com	Marina.com
 Sales.mobi		Chocolate.net		Partner.com
 Yachts.com		Flossing.com		Hoodia.com
 Piano.net		Michigan.info

The full list of all the domains accepted into the auction should be out towards the end of this week. They will be posted here at Moniker’s website.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

TRAFFIC East Live Domain Auction

Big news in the domain industry today! Clek Media Inc. announced today via CNN Money that it has brokered the world-record sale of the domain Fund.com for an all-cash transaction of $9,999,950!

The buyer of the Fund.com domain name is now aptly named Fund.com Inc., a New York based firm previously known as Meade Technologies Inc.

Former Record Holder

Guinness World Records books reports the previous record holder to be the purchase of Business.com for $7.5 million in 1999. There was alot of controversy and skepticism regarding domain names and how they could possibly warrant these multi-million dollar price tags.

Amazingly enough, just eight years later in July of 2007 the Business.com company was sold to yellow pages publisher, RH Donnelly, for $345 million, 47 times the original purchase price.

Domaining In the Public Eye

Top domain name sales stories will slowly continue to hit the front pages of the most popular financial publications around the world. Investors will start taking serious interest, much more so than they already have. More and more generic domain portfolios will go public.

Exciting times to be a domainer! It’s almost like having a second chance to go back to 1998 and start buying domains with Frank Schilling, Kevin Ham and the Castello Brothers. OK, so it’s not quite that awesome… but we, as domainers, are one step ahead of those just now entering the business of buying, selling and monetizing domain names.

Highest Official Domain Sales Prices

Take a look at this list below and you will notice one thing really stands out. Over half of these sales prices and bids were made in 2007. Does this mean that 2008 will bring even higher premium domain sales? It’s almost guaranteed.

Fund.com                 9,999,950         2008
Porn.com                 9,500,000         2007
Business.com             7,500,000         1999
Diamond.com              7,500,000         2006
Beer.com                 7,000,000         2007
Asseenontv.com           5,100,000         2000
Seo.com                  5,000,000         2007
Auction.com              4,500,000         Reserve 2007
Dermatology.com          4,500,000         Reserve 2007
HorseRacing.com          4,500,000         Reserve 2007
Slots.com                4,500,000         Reserve 2007
PuertoRico.com           3,500,000         Reserve 2007
Shop.com                 3,500,000
Altavista.com            3,300,000         2002
Creditcheck.com          3,000,000         2007
Scotland.com             3,000,000         Reserve 2007
Student.com              3,000,000         Reserve 2007
Vodka.com                3,000,000         2006
Wine.com                 2,900,000         1999
CreditCards.com          2,750,000         2004
PressReleases.com        2,500,000         Reserve 2007

DomainFest Global 2008 was a fantastic and life-changing experience. I attended several enlightening sessions on domaining, legal matters and the future of our industry. I made more direct connections with professional domainers, organizations and fantastic companies than would be possible in months of communicating online.

SnapNames Live Auction Recap

Apart from the wildly enthusiastic networking session with the NetworKING himself and an awesome themed party at the Highland Nightclub, the SnapNames Live Auction turned out to be the most fun. Even though I did not participate directly aside from snapping pictures and keeping the open bar lively, I enjoyed watching the bidders battle it out for premium domains.

I was going to post the domain sales from the live auction directly, but it seems many other domaining blogs have had the same idea. So, sparing myself the data entry, I’ll direct you to these lists of updates on the auction: Day 1 & Day 2 results from Frank Michlick.

Domainer’s Choice Awards Winners

During the closing dinner at DomainFest, the Domainer’s Choice Awards were announced. DotSauce was a final nominee for the category of Best Domain Publication. However, DotSauce didn’t take the win, but congratulations to Ron Jackson’s DNJournal and all the other winners for taking the top spots.

Best Domain Auctions – Tie → SnapNames & Moniker
Best Domain Financial Services → Escrow.com
Best Domain Marketplace → Sedo.com
Best Domain Publication → DN Journal
Best Domainer Tools → DomainTools.com
Best Domainers Blog → ElliotsBlog.com
Best Hosting Company → GoDaddy
Best Industry Spokesperson → Frank Schilling
Best Registrar Award → Moniker
Domain Ambassador Award → Michael & David Castello
Domainers Rising Star → Michael & David Castello
Industry Achievement Award → Kevin Ham
Industry Customer Service Rep → Eben Smith of Sedo
Industry Trade Association → Internet Commerce Association
Parking Company Award → TrafficZ

Sharing the Knowledge

Stay tuned for upcoming articles about my experiences at the DomainFest conference. I had a chance to sit down and talk with some brilliant minds such as Tan Tran of FreshDrop who shared some phenomenal advice with me. I would also like to share some of what I learned at the sessions with Frank Schilling and John Battelle, co-founder of WIRED Magazine.

Networking & Sponsorships

For all those whom I met and promised access to a DotSauce Premium Subscription, please get in touch with me. I would love for you to check it out, contribute, and offer your opinion on the exclusive content.

To the individuals and companies who expressed interest in advertising on DotSauce, please see more information on the Sponsorship page or contact me privately.

The following is a list of the top 100 domain sales for any extension in 2007 as reported by DNJournal. This is the first year ever that all of the top 100 domain sales reached over six figures! The top 9 domains sold for over one million each.

Five co.uk domains made the list, as well as five .mobi and four .net.
A .info, .de and .at were represented with one six-figure sale each.

1. Porn.com – $9,500,000
2. Computer.com – $2,100,000
3. Seniors.com – $1,800,000
4. Tandberg.com – $1,500,000
5. Scores.com – $1,180,000
6. Vista.com – $1,250,000
7. Chinese.com – €810,001 = $1,120,008
8. Guy.com – $1,000,000
9. Topix.com – $1,000,000
10. Poker.de – €695,000 = $957,937
11. Investment.com – $900,000
12. Melbourne.com – $700,000
13. Dollars.com – $650,000
14. Job.at – €408,000 = $590,949
15. Cardiology.com – $550,000
16. Shemale.com – $520,000
17. Rebate.com – $500,000
18. Rebates.com – $500,000
19. Invention.com – $500,000
20. AZ.com – $500,000
21. Li.com – $500,000
22. Greenhouse.com – $500,000
23. SportingGoods.com – $450,000
24. Bald.com – $400,000
25. Iran.com – $400,000
26. CarSales.com – $400,000
27. Cowboys.com – $370,000
28. Gibraltar.com – $360,000
29. Greeting.com – $350,000
30. Supplies.com – $323,530
31. Recycle.co.uk – £150,000 = $309,901
32. Resume.com – $300,000
33. Text.com – $300,000
34. Realestate.net – $300,000
35. BDSM.com – $295,000
36. Xmas.com – $294,200
37. UI.com – $275,000
38. Table.com – $260,000
39. Locals.com – $250,000
40. Buckhead.com – $250,000
41. Mobile.co.uk – £120,000 = $247,921
42. Yearbook.com – $237,500
43. ET.com – $225,000
44. Spices.com – $220,000
45. Televisions.com – $215,000
46. Crosswordpuzzles.com – $210,000
47. Masculin.com – €150,000 = $201,792
48. Perth.com – $200,000
49. DIY.net – $200,000
50. Settlement.com – $200,000
51. CriminalLawyers.com – $195,000
52. FreeHoroscope.com – $185,259
53. Fly.co.uk – £87,500 = $181,042
54. Chinese.net – $180,000
55. Ringtones.net – $175,000
56. Clock.com – $175,000
57. CampGrounds.com – $175,000
58. Walkers.com – $175,000
59. BoiseIdaho.com – $175,000
60. DreamLife.com – $171,750
61. Promotion.com – $170,000
62. Event.com – $165,000
63. Psychologists.com – $160,000
64. Connected.co.uk – £80,000 = $157,931
65. Via.com – $157,500
66. Poker.mobi – $150,000
67. Guy.com – $150,000
68. MegaYachts.com – $150,000
69. Pottery.com – $150,000
70. OL.com – $150,000
71. InterracialSex.com – $150,000
72. Ringtones.mobi – $145,000
73. Charters.com – $140,000
74. Lips.com – $135,000
75. Zimbabwe.com – $130,000
76. CaribbeanVacations.com – $130,000
77. Sportsbook.mobi – $129,800
78. UB.com – $129,420
79. One.es – €87,000 = $128,947
80. HalfPriceTickets.com – $125,000
81. Supernatural.com – $125,000
82. Exito.com – $121,560
83. HotProperty.com – $120,000
84. PX.com – $120,000
85. Travel.info – $116,000
86. Note.com – $115,000
87. Refresh.com – $115,000
88. Forest.com – €81,000 = $110,721
89. News.mobi – $110,000
90. Cab.com – $110,000
91. Femmes.com – $110,000
92. OTV.com – $110,000
93. UltimateGuitar.com – $101,676
94. Hosting.mobi – $101,000
95. WifeLover.com – $100,930
96. Gents.com – $100,444
97. Brisbane.com – $100,000
98. Passover.com – $100,000
99. Debit.com – $100,000
100. Bulk.com – $100,000
101. TreatmentCenters.com – $100,000
102. MyFinance.com – $100,000
103. AMT.com – $100,000
104. 15.com – $100,000
105. VN.com – $100,000
106. Track.com – $100,000

Euro to Dollar conversion (€ to $) based on rates in effect when sales were reported. If you would like to view more details such as exact dates and where these domains were sold view the original DNJournal 2007 Year-To-Date report or view the 2006 report to compare.

Domain Tools founder Jay Westerdal, will be holding a live online domain name auction on January 3rd at 11am. You can view the complete list of domains up for auction here.

Unfortunately, none of the 8 domains I submitted were accepted to the live auction. The minimum reserve option was $1000, which I do believe is a bit high for these domain names. I thought I might get lucky and dropped a few of my names in the hat.

• DoubleBath.com
• LinkPremium.com
• LinksProfit.com
• NetworkingProfiles.com
• PromotionDiscount.com
• RebatePros.com
• SocialResumes.com
• TelephonePrank.com

Please contact me if you would like to make an offer anyway.

The DomainTools Live Auction system is a uniquely built interface that has proven itself at the Domain Roundtable auction and it was recently host to the sale of Edgeio company assets. To participate in the upcoming auction, you will need to register for a free DomainTools account and have a verified credit card and phone number on file.

Domain Tools founder Jay Westerdal, will be holding a live online domain name auction on January 10th at 11am. You can view the complete list of domains up for auction here.

UPDATE: The auction has been pushed back to the 10th!

Unfortunately, none of the 8 domains I submitted were accepted to the live auction. The minimum reserve option was $1000, which I do believe is a bit high for these domain names. I thought I might get lucky and dropped a few of my names in the hat.

• DoubleBath.com
• LinkPremium.com
• LinksProfit.com
• NetworkingProfiles.com
• PromotionDiscount.com
• RebatePros.com
• SocialResumes.com
• TelephonePrank.com

Please contact me if you would like to make an offer anyway.

The DomainTools Live Auction system is a uniquely built interface that has proven itself at the Domain Roundtable auction and it was recently host to the sale of Edgeio company assets. To participate in the upcoming auction, you will need to register for a free DomainTools account and have a verified credit card and phone number on file.