NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Know a “hot” fireman who’d get a kick out of owning his own website sexiestfireman.com? Or a jilted lover who wants to form a website for other jilted lovers and call it youhateme.info? How about someone who is so frustrated about learning how to go about getting a website name he literally needs a site titled www.howdoigetawebsitename.us?
All of these domain names, and around 500 more, are currently available to the highest bidder in an Internet-only auction dedicated exclusively to registered domain names being held by Universal Live of suburban Chicago. Bidders can participate online now through March 10, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
“We’re anxious to see how well it does,” said Martin Shape of Universal Live. “It’s a wide open market. There are some great names to bid on, in an array of categories. Many start as low as $20.”
Many of the domain names in the auction pertain to the following categories: sex, clouds (computer terminology), e-commerce, dating and relationships, photography (especially war-related photography), technology and gaming, and (curiously enough) the Occupy Wall Street movement. Some of the lots are in multiples, featuring more than one domain name.
A number of factors have contributed to the swift rise in popularity for domain name ownership. The personalization of the Internet has resulted in domain names being purchased by more private individuals and businesses than initially estimated. As a result, there’s been a hike in speculation and domain name warehousing.
Anticipating a growing need for a targeted, top-level domain name, “domainers” began to purchase names with an eye toward selling them at a later time. The advancing field of search engine optimization (SEO) has also increased the desire to own a domain name that accurately reflects the subject matter of the site. Auctions sprang up as a way to match buyers with sellers.
Some of the sex-related domain names in the Universal Live auction are somewhat ribald, but Shape was quick to note that some crossed the line into indecency and were bumped from the sale. Examples of available names include xxx.com.lc (est. $1,500-$2,310), sexiestsites.com (est. $60-$90); sexy.com.lc (est. $500-$770) and sexxify.com (est. $60-$90).
Some dating and relationships names include afternoonher.com and afternoonhim.com (offered as one lot with a pre-sale estimate of $200-$310); camdates.mobi (est. $700-$1,080); the clever and eye-grabbing yesyesyes.me (est. $1,500-$2,310); camdate.me (est. $700-$1,080); and canoodle.me (est. $300-$460). The more risqué site sextaholic.com is expected to fetch $60-$90.
The e-commerce domain names are many and include halfpricetld.com (est. $70-$110); freegiftdelivery.com (est. $350-$460); and buy.com.lc (est. $1,500-$2,310). Militaria and war photography sites include war.org.es (est. $1,000-$1,540); warphotoalbum.com (est. $250-$380); warmemorialphotographs.com (est. $120-$180); and worldwarprints.com (est. $200-$310).
Clouds and the Occupy Wall Street movement are current trends that “domainers” have evidently jumped on with zeal. Cloud names up for bid include investinthecloud.com (est. $500-$770); gotcloud.info (est. $70-$110); parkinthecloud.com (est. $70-$110); cloudenergy.me (est. $300-$460); sexycloud.info (est. $80-$120); and buycloudamerica.com/info (est. $800-$1,200).
The available Occupy Wall Street sites include occupywallstreetbuttons.com (est. $200-$300); occupywallstreetgallery.com (est. $300-$460); and joinoccupywallstreet.info (est. $50-$80). Technology and gaming names include gratedgames.com (est. $300-$460); dotgame.org (est. $500-$770); hotwargames.com (est. $400-$620); and games.com.lc (est. $1,000-$1,540).
Domain names geared toward photography in general include archivalblackandwhite.com (est $350-$460); publishyourphotography.com (est. $450-$690); and cameras.org.es (est. $300-$460). Some of the domain names defy category, or even explanation, such as monsterslice.com (est. $120-$180); welcomehomehead.com (est. $250-$380); and thefabme.info (est. $90-$140).
For additional information, contact Universal Live at 847-412-9900; or e-mail marty@universallive.com. All e-mail inquiries are answered promptly.
Visit the online catalog and sign up to bid at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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