Before discussing free domain name appraisals, let’s determine what a domain name appraisal is and what factors are included in getting a domain name appraisal. Then we can discuss the pros and cons of free domain name appraisals and who should have their domain name appraised at all.
What Is a Domain Name Appraisal?
A domain name appraisal looks at the value of a domain name in terms of a fairly standard variety of factors and estimates its value. Some of the factors considered in a domain name appraisal include:
- Are the words whole, or abbreviated?
- Is the name brandable?
- Is the meaning clear?
- Is the spelling accurate?
- Which extension is used?
- How long is it?
- Does it contain words?
- Are there any hyphens, dashes, or underscores?
- Is it memorable?
- Does it include any numbers
- Is it marketable?
- Does it include abbreviations?
- Has the domain been developed?
- Does and how does it use keywords?
- Has a link network been established?
In general, speaking of the name alone, brandable (not generic), accurately spelled, non-hyphenated, memorable, domain names with a .com extension are the most valuable.
There are also contextual items that can make a name valuable. For example, if it is an obvious parody of a wildly popular site, it may gain value from context. For this reason, a full domain name appraisal should provide you not only with a valuation of the domain name or names you’ve given them, but also with a list of the factors that were considered, along with lists of comparable, developed and undeveloped domains that have sold, along with their sale price. If you proffered a group of domain names for valuation, you should also receive an appraisal of the group as a whole, because a combination of domain names may have an increased value.
Free Domain Name Appraisals
Since domain name appraisal is a service that is available for purchase, why would anyone do it for free? There are a few possible answers to that question:
- A company that offers paid appraisals also offers limited, free appraisals as a marketing tool to introduce you to their company, staff, and methods, and build trust so that you will purchase the fuller service.
- A company that offers a free domain name appraisal bundled with brokerage services prices their other services to cover the cost of the appraisal.
- A company that offers a free appraisal along with domain name registration services uses the free appraisal as a marketing tool.
- Or, a company is trying to scam you.
Why Would You Want a Domain Name Appraisal?
A domain appraisal from a reliable source is valuable if you are making the decision to buy a domain name registration or sell one (or more), in order to to settle on a fair price. Buyers should not rely on sellers’ valuations, and can use an appraisal from a reputable company as a bargaining tool in price negotiations. If you’re going to spend so much on a domain that it’s worth having it appraised, it is worth getting the appraisal either in a bundle of brokered services or domain registration services, not just some free site to which you have no connection and which is going to give you a limited view of the value of the domain name.
