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Now
that the new gTLDs
have started rolling out, we are seeing a
lot of different pricing strategies.
For their so-called "premium"
domains most new gTLDs registries favor an
auction model that will award
domains expected to draw the most interest
to the highest bidders. |
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However,
the New Zealand oriented .KIWI
registry has decided to set fixed
prices on the better names purchased
from their website (though some of their
preferred partners will be allowed to
auction off some names). |
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You
can now see
the prices (ranging from $500
to thousands of dollars) that .KIWI has
arrived for their premium inventory.
Annual renewals will be around $40. Most
of you will recall that .TV started out
charging high fixed prices on premium names
while also pricing renewals at the same high
price, so there were some names that would cost
a registrant $10,000 a year (with
few takers at those levels as you would
imagine). To boost demand .TV later lowered
their initial prices and made renewal prices the
same for all .TV domains. Just
looking at the first page of premium prices on
the .KIWI site, you will see prices all over the
board. For example, 123.kiwi is listed at
$2,939 but 1500.kiwi costs $7,411.
ABC.kiwi is $1,900 but ABA.kiwi
is $8,422. While it may appear that a
dartboard was used to set pricing, a .KIWI
spokesperson said, "All premium names have
been valued in collaboration with third parties
that specialize in valuing domain names
around the globe. The value of a .kiwi premium
name is determined using historical sales data,
search engine popularity and traffic." A
statement on the .KIWI website adds, "the
value of these domains stems from their
simplicity, memorability and popularity as a
search term."
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Kiwi
image from Bigstock |
If
you do find a .kiwi domain you are
interested in you apparently can't buy
it just yet. The site says, "Each
.kiwi Premium Name listed as available can
soon be purchased on our website, or
through one of our preferred partners in
accordance with their framework (i.e.
certain providers may choose to auction
popular .kiwi domain names). Each domain
will be clearly labeled as available for
sale immediately, or through a .kiwi
preferred partner. If you want to ensure
you are first in line for your favorite
.kiwi Premium Names, register
your interest and we will get
in touch once you are able to
purchase." For
an untested new gTLD I'm sure many of
the |
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premium
prices shown will be greeted by skepticism
among veteran domain investors. However,
most of the the new gTLD registries have
indicated that investors are not their
target market. Whether or not the
mainstream business buyers they have their
sites set on will accept premium priced
new gTLD domains is a question will be
start getting answers to in the months
ahead. |
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