What To Offer For A Domain Name?
Discussion
There is a .co.uk domain name that I want as it is very close to our existing name but a bit better (shorter). In an ideal world I'd like to rebrand our site to this shortened version of our name.
I contacted the company who currently own the domain to ask if they'd be interested in selling. They've replied promptly saying that the domain was part of a company acquisition a few years ago, they say they get some small traffic from the domain but wouldn't be against receiving an offer on it.
We're not exactly cash rich right now but the domain could be good for the long-term future of the business so I was thinking of going in at £1000 + VAT and see where it leads.
Has anyone been here before? Where would you start?
It's a short .co.uk domain but it is a brand so it's not of much use to anyone and everyone if that makes sense.
I contacted the company who currently own the domain to ask if they'd be interested in selling. They've replied promptly saying that the domain was part of a company acquisition a few years ago, they say they get some small traffic from the domain but wouldn't be against receiving an offer on it.
We're not exactly cash rich right now but the domain could be good for the long-term future of the business so I was thinking of going in at £1000 + VAT and see where it leads.
Has anyone been here before? Where would you start?
It's a short .co.uk domain but it is a brand so it's not of much use to anyone and everyone if that makes sense.
MrSparks said:
It's a short .co.uk domain but it is a brand so it's not of much use to anyone and everyone if that makes sense.
how short is short?3 - 5 characters - may be some value in its length
6+, less value...
if it is a brand name - do you own the brand, if yes, then there is more value to you - if not, do you have the right to buy it? Nominet can be funny with domains and IP ownership - so check you are happy with that aspect first, or you could buy it and then lose it...
it sounds as though they might be quite happy for you to give them a bit of cash, not necessarily looking to squeeze every bit of value from it - so I would give them a bit of story around it - explain your position and that you would love to buy it, but can't afford a lot etc. - if nothing else, should they be thinking it is really worth 10s of thousands, then they won't see you as just being a cheeky opportunist...
akirk said:
how short is short?
3 - 5 characters - may be some value in its length
6+, less value...
if it is a brand name - do you own the brand, if yes, then there is more value to you - if not, do you have the right to buy it? Nominet can be funny with domains and IP ownership - so check you are happy with that aspect first, or you could buy it and then lose it...
it sounds as though they might be quite happy for you to give them a bit of cash, not necessarily looking to squeeze every bit of value from it - so I would give them a bit of story around it - explain your position and that you would love to buy it, but can't afford a lot etc. - if nothing else, should they be thinking it is really worth 10s of thousands, then they won't see you as just being a cheeky opportunist...
It's 5 characters.3 - 5 characters - may be some value in its length
6+, less value...
if it is a brand name - do you own the brand, if yes, then there is more value to you - if not, do you have the right to buy it? Nominet can be funny with domains and IP ownership - so check you are happy with that aspect first, or you could buy it and then lose it...
it sounds as though they might be quite happy for you to give them a bit of cash, not necessarily looking to squeeze every bit of value from it - so I would give them a bit of story around it - explain your position and that you would love to buy it, but can't afford a lot etc. - if nothing else, should they be thinking it is really worth 10s of thousands, then they won't see you as just being a cheeky opportunist...
We haven't registered our trademarks yet, the existing domain relates to a company that doesn't exist any more so there are no infringements, we would be completing our trademarks once this is complete though, been meaning to do it for a while now!
I don't think they want to profit from it per ce as they look to be a decent company and probably don't "need" to sell it. I'm hoping they just need a good enough reason to spend the time doing the transfer.
Based on what InsuranceJon and a couple of people I've spoken to this morning say I'm going to offer £500 + VAT with a bit of an outline of why we want it so they know we're not just looking to flip it and see where it goes.. like you say, if they want silly money then it's not going to happen anyway so at least I find out one way or another.
At the end of the day the shorter domain won't instantly quadruple our online sales... it'll just be a slightly nicer platform to build on.
Edited by MrSparks on Monday 12th February 13:26
fab - well done...
I am sure you have thought of it - but check whether the relevant trade marks are still registered - if they acquired the domain name with a company they bought, might they also have acquired trademarks? If so, they might still be the trademark holder (though it might not have updated at the IPO) and you might be refused...
you can do a simple check online
I am sure you have thought of it - but check whether the relevant trade marks are still registered - if they acquired the domain name with a company they bought, might they also have acquired trademarks? If so, they might still be the trademark holder (though it might not have updated at the IPO) and you might be refused...
you can do a simple check online
akirk said:
fab - well done...
I am sure you have thought of it - but check whether the relevant trade marks are still registered - if they acquired the domain name with a company they bought, might they also have acquired trademarks? If so, they might still be the trademark holder (though it might not have updated at the IPO) and you might be refused...
you can do a simple check online
Thanks, I've had a look through the gov website and can't find anything close to it, it does seem a bit of a minefield of categories etc on there but i couldn't find anything relating to it.I am sure you have thought of it - but check whether the relevant trade marks are still registered - if they acquired the domain name with a company they bought, might they also have acquired trademarks? If so, they might still be the trademark holder (though it might not have updated at the IPO) and you might be refused...
you can do a simple check online
now I have the domain I need you to put it to use!Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff