Monday, June 30, 2008

.CA domains dropping this week July 2

There are many three letter .ca's dropping this week, and a few good words.

Also of note is this list of Toronto - themed domains, many that have to do with building and contracting. One person must have dropped this whole package for some reason.

Some nice domains in this list:

torontobuilders.ca
torontocivicleague.ca
torontocontractor.ca

torontodatingservice.ca
torontoelectrical.ca
torontoflooring.ca

torontohomeimprovement.ca
torontohomerenovations.ca
torontokidsshow.ca

torontolandscapers.ca
torontopainters.ca
torontorenovations.ca

torontorenovators.ca
torontostreettreats.ca
torontostucco.ca

Also some nice travel-theme domains available:

travelarizona.ca
travelcalifornia.ca
travelgermany.ca

traveljapan.ca
travelportugal.ca
travelsecrets.ca

travelswitzerland.ca

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

.CA domains lead DNJournal country code sales

As was expected, the top .ca domain sales from the first MyID auctions are starting to make it onto the DNJournal weekly sales report. Domains showing up in dnjournal are confirmed sales, so we know the transactions went through.

Many .ca sales went into the country code listings, and a few even made it onto the overall sales list, which includes all domain extensions (e.g.: .com, .org, .net). CV.ca was number 7 overall, and Income.ca was number 10. Diploma.ca was number 18, and pharmacies.ca hit number 21.

In country code sales, .ca had more placements than any other extension with 6. Another 12 .ca sales were also mentioned, and all fell within the $1,000 to $4,200 price range.

To see the DNJournal report, click here.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

QWM.ca sells at Sedo

A small .ca sale to report at Sedo today.

qwm.ca $1,250

It will be interesting to follow this name in the next few weeks to see if the buyer just parks it, or develops it into a website (possibly something to do with Quebec?).

Friday, June 20, 2008

Third MyID .ca domain auction has legs

The third MyID .ca auction still has over five days to go, and already there are 26 names with bids, some reserves already met, and four and five figure dollar amounts on the board.

I was wondering with this third auction if bidders would still have enough funds after the first two auctions, and how deep the financial pool would be. Since .ca is only limited to those with Canadian presence, it restricts the pool of eligible bidders. Can a .ca auction with premium names be run every week and still have enough demand?

I guess the answer so far is "yes". Many probably realize that quality premiums that get taken in these auctions may never become available again, or only at a higher price, so there is lots of incentive to grab them now during this window of opportunity.

I haven't seen any sales from the MYID auction hit DNJournal yet, but I'd be looking for some to be on the country code list next week.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

MyID releases third .ca domain auction list

Today MyID released their list of .ca domains to be auctioned from June 19 to 26. This is the third .ca auction from MyID. Again, there are many quality, generic .ca domains to be had. Here is the auction list by category, along with the reserve price range beside each name.

To visit the MyID .ca auction page, click here:

2-3 characters
1. Bad.ca ($3751 - $5000)
2. hit.ca ($5001 - $7500)
3. kkk.ca ($751 - $1000)
4. mlz.ca ($251 - $500)
5. x8.ca ($501 - $750)

Automotive
1. buyavehicle.ca ($251 - $500)
2. driverslicence.ca ($2501 - $3750)
3. minivan.ca ($1001 - $1750)
4. OntarioCars.ca ($2501 - $3750)
5. VancouverAuto.ca ($1751 - $2500)

Business / Financial
1. AutoFinancing.ca ($2501 - $3750)
2. ebonds.ca ($1001 - $1750)
3. eTransfers.ca ($251 - $500)
4. FloristMontreal.ca ($1001 - $1750)
5. freemoney.ca ($751 - $1000)
6. FurnishedRental.ca ($1751 - $2500)
7. futuretrading.ca ($101 - $250)
8. HotStocks.ca ($1751 - $2500)
9. iwire.ca ($751 - $1000)
10. laundromats.ca ($751 - $1000)
11. LimousineMontreal.ca ($501 - $750)
12. MontrealLifeInsurance.ca ($1001 - $1750)
13. Payment.ca ($5001 - $7500)
14. VancouverAccountant.ca ($1751 - $2500)
15. Wealthy.ca ($10001 - $15000)
16. websitehost.ca ($2501 - $3750)

Education
1. adultlearners.ca ($2 - $100)
2. bigfoot.ca ($751 - $1000)
3. tests.ca ($2501 - $3750)

Entertainment
1. cheered.ca ($0 - $1)
2. laughed.ca ($0 - $1)
3. nightly.ca ($0 - $1)
4. santaclause.ca ($2501 - $3750)

Fitness and Dieting
1. Beautiful.ca ($10001 - $15000)
2. carbfree.ca ($251 - $500)
3. smokers.ca ($1751 - $2500)

Food
1. AlbertaRestaurants.ca ($1751 - $2500)
2. drinkers.ca ($251 - $500)

French
1. diabetique.ca ($251 - $500)
2. italie.ca ($1001 - $1750)
3. japon.ca ($1001 - $1750)

General
1. Beautiful.ca ($10001 - $15000)
2. bigfoot.ca ($751 - $1000)
3. Earl.ca ($2501 - $3750)
4. Filming.ca ($751 - $1000)
5. indian.ca ($5001 - $7500)
6. indiancasinos.ca ($251 - $500)
7. none.ca ($2501 - $3750)
8. playcards.ca ($751 - $1000)
9. REMIX.ca ($3751 - $5000)
10. Tulips.ca ($10001 - $15000)

Geo Domains
1. AlbertaRestaurants.ca ($1751 - $2500)
2. CanadaPet.ca ($1001 - $1750)
3. FloristMontreal.ca ($1001 - $1750)
4. JobsMontreal.ca ($751 - $1000)
5. LawyersBC.ca ($1751 - $2500)
6. LimousineMontreal.ca ($501 - $750)
7. MontrealDentists.ca ($2501 - $3750)
8. MontrealLifeInsurance.ca ($1001 - $1750)
9. OntarioCars.ca ($2501 - $3750)
10. OntarioHouses.ca ($1001 - $1750)
11. ottawawebdesign.ca ($2 - $100)
12. QuebecCondos.ca ($751 - $1000)
13. states.ca ($1001 - $1750)
14. VancouverAccountant.ca ($1751 - $2500)
15. VancouverAuto.ca ($1751 - $2500)
16. VancouverJob.ca ($751 - $1000)

Internet/Technology
1. broadbandinternet.ca ($2501 - $3750)
2. CellularPhones.ca ($10001 - $15000)
3. dnsservice.ca ($2 - $100)
4. eTransfers.ca ($251 - $500)
5. helpcentre.ca ($251 - $500)
6. iPrivacy.ca ($751 - $1000)
7. websitehost.ca ($2501 - $3750)

Jobs/Employment
1. careershow.ca ($1751 - $2500) (more info)
2. EngineeringJobs.ca ($2501 - $3750)
3. FoodServiceJobs.ca ($101 - $250)
4. FreelancerJobs.ca ($1001 - $1750)
5. GraphicDesignJobs.ca ($1751 - $2500)
6. HomeBasedJob.ca ($751 - $1000)
7. hospitaljobs.ca ($2501 - $3750)
8. Interviews.ca ($10001 - $15000)
9. ITCareers.ca ($2501 - $3750)
10. JobOffer.ca ($2501 - $3750)
11. JobsForLawyers.ca ($501 - $750)
12. JobsForMoms.ca ($1001 - $1750)
13. JobsForStudents.ca ($251 - $500)
14. JobsInSports.ca ($251 - $500)
15. JobsMontreal.ca ($751 - $1000)
16. myInterview.ca ($2501 - $3750)
17. PublicHealthJobs.ca ($1751 - $2500)
18. VancouverAccountant.ca ($1751 - $2500)
19. VancouverJob.ca ($751 - $1000)

Medical / Legal
1. Abstain.ca ($101 - $250)
2. hygienecare.ca ($101 - $250)
3. InternetPharmacies.ca ($1751 - $2500)
4. LawyersBC.ca ($1751 - $2500)
5. MontrealDentists.ca ($2501 - $3750)
6. MyInjuryLawyer.ca ($751 - $1000)
7. QuebecLawyers.ca ($1751 - $2500)
8. Rashes.ca ($1751 - $2500)
9. Sleepwalking.ca ($2501 - $3750)
10. Snores.ca ($1751 - $2500)
11. tadalafil.ca ($2501 - $3750)
12. Teeth.ca ($10001 - $15000)

Real Estate
1. buyland.ca ($251 - $500)
2. cottagehome.ca ($101 - $250)
3. FurnishedRental.ca ($1751 - $2500)
4. LandOwners.ca ($2501 - $3750)
5. OntarioHouses.ca ($1001 - $1750)
6. QuebecCondos.ca ($751 - $1000)

Relationships/Dating/Weddings
1. Feelings.ca ($751 - $1000)
2. knockedup.ca ($2 - $100)
3. Lesbian.ca ($15001 - $25000)
4. marriagelicense.ca ($1001 - $1750)
5. planweddings.ca ($1001 - $1750)
6. schoolfriends.ca ($251 - $500)
7. Single.ca ($25001 - $37500)
8. virtualdates.ca ($751 - $1000)

Shopping
1. BuyCANADA.ca ($751 - $1000)
2. CellularPhones.ca ($10001 - $15000)
3. CheapOnline.ca ($3751 - $5000)
4. ChinaPlates.ca ($501 - $750)
5. cookware.ca ($1001 - $1750)
6. floraldelivery.ca ($251 - $500)
7. InternetPharmacies.ca ($1751 - $2500)
8. TShirts.ca ($10001 - $15000)

Sports
1. fishin.ca ($751 - $1000)
2. SkiingResorts.ca ($1001 - $1750)

Travel
1. AlbertaRestaurants.ca ($1751 - $2500)
2. Belize.ca ($2501 - $3750)
3. flightinfo.ca ($251 - $500)
4. flyfree.ca ($251 - $500)
5. FurnishedRental.ca ($1751 - $2500)
6. GayTravels.ca ($501 - $750)
7. goodhotels.ca ($2 - $100)
8. italie.ca ($1001 - $1750)
9. japon.ca ($1001 - $1750)
10. paris.ca ($2501 - $3750)
11. RomanticTrips.ca ($1751 - $2500)
12. SkiingResorts.ca ($1001 - $1750)
13. states.ca ($1001 - $1750)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Are there enough domains for the world?

I read the Verisign quarterly domain report last night, and a few things struck me.

The first was the total number of domains registered, which is 162 million. On a global context, this doesn't seem like many, it would work out to one domain for every second American, and none for the rest of the world. Yet, it seems like it's getting harder to register quality names. I also read recently that there are only about 500,000 words in the english language. Then there's also french, spanish, german, chinese, etc.

Year over year the total growth was 26%, and country code domain growth alone was 33%. At this rate, what will be left for people to register in 5 years? Will good domains only be available in the aftermarket?

It seems like the trend will be for people to take their country code domain if the .com isn't available, and .cn has surpassed .net in total registrations.

India has only 4% internet penetration. What will happen to the domain market when countries like this reach 25%, 50% and higher internet use?

What will your young kids or grandkids be able to register when the time comes for them to need a domain?

.CA auction results from last week

Here are the official results of the MyID .ca auction from last week. Again there were many 4 and 5 figure sales of solid generic domains.

The top three sales were interview.ca ($30000), bond.ca ($19100), and gamble.ca ($15000).

The next MyID .ca auction will run from June 19 - 26. Click here to register as a seller or buyer.

ArchitectureJob.ca $1450
BcHockey.ca $1503
Bite.ca $4000
Bond.ca $19100
CanadianTravelInsurance.ca $1500

CareersOnline.ca $2701
Catholics.ca $2101
ComputerForum.ca $61
Diplomas.ca $5199
FloorTile.ca $901

Gamble.ca $15101
GayWeddings.ca $1502
HumanResourcesJobs.ca $1852
Interview.ca $30,000
isports.ca $3200

LandscapingJobs.ca $1601
LegalConsultant(s).ca $1750
MBAOnline.ca $3000
MontrealDentist.ca $2500
MontrealJob.ca $901

MultimediaJobs.ca $1051
OnlineSingles.ca $3002
OntarioCondos.ca $1041
OttawaSearch.ca $250
PainClinic.ca $230

PharmaceuticalJob.ca $1800
Photographyjobs.ca $750
QuebecTravel.ca $1500
SummerJob.ca $3201
SummerSchool.ca $1351

UVM.ca $250
WritingJobs.ca $802

Monday, June 16, 2008

The Domain Game book has arrived

I came back from being away last week and my copy of "the Domain Game" by David Kesmodel was waiting in my mail pile.

I think this is a book that would appeal to anyone who is into domaining. I am only part way through the book (only putting it down when I have to do something else, otherwise I'd read it straight through), but so far it has given great details of how people like Scott Day, Garry Chernoff, Rick Schwartz, Marc Ostrofsky, Yun Ye and others started out. I am at the part now that starts to cover Yun Ye.

It's interesting to read how the registration system started up (from domains being free to $100 a pop), domaining before there was pay per click, NetSolutions not invoicing for weeks, confusion on how and when domains dropped, and all the other details of how 'domaining' started. And to think I was visiting Penticton a few times a year in the late 90's, at the time Garry Chernoff started domaining, makes me wish I had bumped into him and got some pointers on the domain market!

I'll give another update when I've finished the book, but if you want to get a copy here is the info.

Author's webpage for the book:

http://thedomaingame.org

To order the book, go to the Xlibris site, you can read an excerpt from the book as well.

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=47650

I don't think this book is mainstream enough to be in Amazon or Chapters yet, but it's worth a look. It could be a hit, because many people love rags to riches type stories, and I think the subject matter of making it big appeals to a lot of people, no matter what the industry.

I also wouldn't be surprised if a movie was made about the early days of domaining, but that might be 5 to 10 years off.

Monday, June 9, 2008

.COM driving growth of Country Code TLDs

.COM is driving the growth of country code top level domains, in my opinion.

This past weekend I was looking in the newspaper, checking the domains (as usual) that companies were using in their ads. I saw one company that was using a really nice .ca domain, and I thought they probably couldn't get the domain in .com, but the .ca will work really well for them.

And then it struck me...

It's always been known that as .com domains get taken, other extensions will get used if the term people want is available (like in .ca, .net, .org). But what happens next is also important.

That business that regged the .ca because they couldn't get the .com will now advertise their .ca URL on business cards, tv, radio, newspaper, etc, giving the .ca further credibility in the minds of Canadians.

So as .com becomes less of an option, we have people turning to .ca, then advertising their .ca and creating that awareness and acceptance of the .ca extension.

It's to the point now where if only a .com is taken, Canadians will choose the .ca even if the .net, .org, .info and so on are available. I've even seen a few instances where a .ca name was registered and the .com was still available!

Step 1 - .com is registered, get the .ca (not the .net or .org)

Step 2 - all these businesses advertising .ca and creating acceptance - not to mention all those .ca's used by government we see everyday

Step 3 - Canadian public see .ca domains everywhere, when it comes time for them to need a domain name, .ca becomes a top choice

In a sense, the lack of good .com's is promoting the use of .ca in two ways - forcing people to register a .ca, and then the promotion by the registrants of those .ca domains.

And I believe the same thing is happening in other countries, like Germany (.de), Spain (.es), UK (.co.uk) and so on. I think it will happen in the USA (.us), but for some reason the acceptance of their country code extension is taking more time there.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Macau.ca up for sale at MyID .ca auction



Macau.ca is for sale in the MyID .ca auction running from June 5 to June 12. The reserve range is only $2,500 to $5,000. The photo above shows the Macau Tower on the Macau skyline.

You can see the MyID .ca auction by clicking here.

Macau is the only legal gambling zone in China, with many new Las Vegas-style casino resorts in development. The total gambling revenue in Macau was greater than Las Vegas in 2007. A drawing point for the Macau location is that it's only a couple hours flight from 3 billion or so people. The average gaming table in Macau takes in two or three times the revenue of the average table in Macau.

For these reasons, it's no wonder Macau.com sold for $550,000 in 2006, and sold again in 2007 for an undisclosed amount.

Macau.ca could be used for a travel site to market this destination to Canadians. I currently run a simple information webpage on this domain, and I've written an article on Macau with a link to the domain that gets published through EzineArticles.com. Over the past year, traffic has averaged 100 to 175 hits/month, but the value of this domain is greater than just this traffic. If there is anyone out there with more ambitions for this domain than me, now is your change to grab it.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Video of Kevin Ham's "What is Success" Speech

Reinvent.com, Kevin Ham's company, has posted the video of his famous "What is Success" speech given at a TRAFFIC conference earlier this year.

Kevin Ham is based in Vancouver and owns one of the top .com domain portfolios in the world. He was relatively unknown until he was profiled on the cover of Business 2.0 magazine as the "Man Who Owns the Internet".

Enjoy the video - click below to watch.

http://www.reinvent.com/news_what_is_success.html

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

MyID releases June 5 -12 dotca domain auction list

Here is the list of top domains in the next MyID .ca auction, running June 5 to June 12.

The top of each list shows the reserve price range. I've only included domains with a reserve of $1000 and greater.

You can view the entire list by clicking here to visit the MyID .ca site.


$1001 - $2500
1. Amazed.ca
2. ApartmentRental.ca
3. ArchitectureJob.ca
4. bcHockey.ca
5. CalgarySingles.ca
6. CanadianTravelInsurance.ca
7. Caramel.ca
8. Catholics.ca
9. Desir.ca
10. Dialup.ca
11. FitSingles.ca
12. FreeGifts.ca
13. GayWeddings.ca
14. HardwareStores.ca
15. InvestmentBanks.ca
16. JobTips.ca
17. LandscapingJobs.ca
18. LegalConsultant(s).ca
19. LiveAuction.ca
20. Manicure.ca
21. MovieChannel.ca
22. PharmaceuticalJob.ca
23. PowerBoat.ca
24. Providers.ca
25. QuebecTravel.ca
26. stockTips.ca
27. StockTraders.ca
28. TennisBracelet.ca


$2501 - $5000
1. Bass.ca
2. Bite.ca
3. CareerShow.ca
4. CareersOnline.ca
5. Cindy.ca
6. Classes.ca
7. Diplomas.ca
8. Fines.ca
9. HomeEquities.ca
10. Investigations.ca
11. iSports.ca
12. LasikEye(s).ca
13. LowFare.ca
14. Macau.ca
15. MBAonline.ca
16. MontrealDentist.ca
17. MortgagesOnline.ca
18. MOVES.ca
19. OnlineSingles.ca
20. StarterHome(s).ca
21. TorontoHotline.ca
22. WineTours.ca
23. XZ.ca


$5001 - $10000
1. AdventureCanada.ca
2. InternetAccess.ca
3. WebsiteHosting.ca


More than $10000
1. Bond.ca
2. Gamble.ca
3. Interview.ca
4. JobTV.ca
5. VP.ca

Monday, June 2, 2008

MyID .ca auction results list from last week

Here are the final results of domains sold in last week's MyID .ca auction. I think the results show that short domains (LL.ca), and single/double words of strong commercial appeal tend to sell well, especially in areas like real estate, finance, education, medical, travel, and common products.

CV.ca $53000

Income.ca $25299

Diploma.ca $17352

Pharmacies.ca $15100

Eyeglasses.ca $10999

ZZ.ca $9600

STD.ca $3999

LoansCanada.ca $3000

QuebecHome(s).ca $2999

MontrealMortgages.ca $2499

AccountingJobs.ca $2350

Fling.ca $2000

Enjoy.ca $1800

VancouverTravel.ca $1750

WebTemplates.ca $1503

WhistlerTrip(s).ca $1500

FloorTiles.ca $1150

Pies.ca $995

iStore.ca $950

JetSet.ca $750

OntarioJob.ca $750

OffreEmploi.ca $501

CalgaryRentals.ca $205

PentictonJobs.ca $199

CanucksForum.ca $50

Dates.ca sells for $18,353

Pool.com reports that dates.ca has sold for $18,353 in their premium auction service.

This is a nice continuation from last week for .ca sales (last week many four and five figure sales were made at the MyID auction). Pool stated at the auction start that dates.ca gets about 600 unique visitors per month, and was earning about $300 in affiliate commissions, without any marketing. It is a nice generic domain that can be used for an online dating site, and the singular version (date.ca) is already a Canadian dating site. Dates are also a dried fruit, but it's probably better to go the dating route with this domain.