Web 2.0.11562 beta

So long overdue, the domain tasting system that has been exploited by outfits like this, has finally been straightened out. ICANN has now voted to impose their twenty cent fee on every domain registered. Actually they’re no longer going to be allowing registrars to be refunded the fee during the Add Grace Period but it’s easier to just think of it as now applying to all registrations. This would apply whether or not the registry allows registrants to return the domain for a refund.

This small fee completely changes the economics of domain tasting. For the average Joe, it means you can change your mind about a domain you registered and get almost a complete refund. I’ve seen the need for this when customers of mine accidentally register typos late at night.

For the predatory companies out there who register domains people are actively searching for on registrar sites in the hopes of extorting a large profit to surrender the domain, this is bad news. And for Network Solutions’ latest PR black eye over scalping searched-for domains - this removes the monetary incentive. Three cheers for ICANN!

A good post today by Jay Westerdal reminding us all how the availability of credit for house purchases led to an increase in the prices for homes by making them more affordable. Here is the article.

Financing options do exist for premium domains, but for small business owners insightful enough to understand the value of getting a great domain that will shape their ongoing business strategy, there is nothing. Conventional lenders are not interested, and generally lack confidence in the accepted valuation methods.Domain names have real value in business, and smart financiers will recognize this.

Interesting too to see him mention travel.com and guess that it’s worth is $50 million. I happen to own the Thai version of that, ??????????.com, and believe it’s worth to be one half of one percent of that, or $250,000. Current market price today would be more like $10,000 I think, reinforcing Jay’s point that valuations go up if good names are made more affordable.