SnapNames New Public Auctions Service Meets Growing Demand for Domain Names as Investments

August 18, 2006; 01:46 AM
SnapNames, the world's largest source of expired and deleting domain names, announced that has expanded its secondary domain name marketplace reach by launching a new Public Auctions service.

The new service -- designed to let domain name investors profit from value-priced names -- will accommodate thousands of names added each day at the company's website, www.snapnames.com. Service features include:

-- Lower minimum bids -- some names will start at $9.
-- Capability for the customer to join an in-progress auction at any time; advance ordering is not required.
-- As with SnapNames' existing Private Auctions service for premium domain names, names with only one bidder will be sold for the minimum bid amount. Multiple bidders will compete for the name during a short auction; the winning bidder will be awarded the name.

The Public Auctions service augments SnapNames' widely used domain name pre-ordering and Private Auctions system, which works directly with the world's best-known registrars to offer exclusive, priority access to thousands of high-traffic, brandable names each day. The Private Auctions service remains unchanged. Customers will be able to participate in both systems simultaneously.

Public Auctions Address Growing Demand for Investment-Grade Names

The new SnapNames service is another increase in the company's reach over the "secondary" domain name marketplace, where investment activity continues to rapidly develop.

"In addition to the premium names we make available every day, our customers are interested in access to value-priced domains," said SnapNames Chairman and CEO Sudhir Bhagwan. "SnapNames Public Auctions will be the best place on the Internet to find good domain name assets for investors and end-users at all levels."

Domain Names Are Lucrative Source for "Direct Navigation"

Advertising Dollars

Savvy investors, including institutions, online publishers, media companies and individuals, have stepped up their acquisition of domain name properties, recognizing the ability of domain names to produce current income through advertising sales and their potential for long-term appreciation in value.

Much of the current growth in the secondary market is propelled by the skyrocketing use of online advertising. Domain owners can easily monetize their assets by hosting ads that are served to the growing legion of web users who turn to generically titled websites to search for information. This is a rich environment for advertisers -- according to Susquehanna Financial Group, advertisers will spend between $400 million and $800 million in 2006 alone on direct navigation sites.

How Public Auctions Work

Customers interested in Public Auctions names can download or search a list of domain names, updated daily, that are available through Public Auctions. Customers with an existing SnapNames account can log in and immediately begin bidding; new customers will establish a new account first, and then begin bidding.

Founded in 2000, SnapNames (www.snapnames.com) operates the largest available source of expired and deleting domain names. Partnering with the world's largest and best-known registrars and service providers, SnapNames uses its patented and patent-pending technology to give its customers exclusive first access to thousands of high-traffic, brandable and investment-grade domain names every day. SnapNames is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

SnapNames, Portland, Mason Cole, 503-459-5702 Cell: 503-407-2555 [email protected]