The sale closed on my first domain sale of 2008 this week. $3200 from an original $10 purchase.

The interesting point about this particular sale is that I had submitted it a previous domaintools.com auction and they passed on it.

One thing that is very clear with aftermarket domain name sales is:

“Good domain names sell themselves”

A good domain name doesn’t need a listing in the latest domain auction, a premium spot at sedo, a super qualified appraisal, or even a parking page listing it for sale.

This is not to discount any of those services. I’ve used them all and I’ve sold domain names through sedo and other venues.

My point is that the right buyer will find a good domain name and they will figure out a way to contact you to buy it.

I have several domains that I’m fully aware are not “top notch” domains. Most of the domains I buy are for later development. I have a lot of site ideas, and when I think of a domain that could match a good site, I register it. I don’t think any of these names will sell for millions, thousands or even hundreds.
A great site can make a crappy name worth millions :)

At the same time, I’m keenly aware that some of my names are pretty darn desirable. These are names that over the years have had several “suitors”. People who search whois records and find a phone number or email address to make an offer. When this becomes a common occurrence, it’s easy to filter out which names have resale potential and which are ones only a mother could love :)

It seems that in the domainer aftermarket, too many people think that their neatphraseindustry.com domain is going to net them millions if they only had the right audience.

Good names don’t need no stinkin’ auction.