Forward The Email! Migrate The Systems! Make The Sale!

The good Lord stopped making oceanfront property a long time ago. However, with the ocean level rising, he is taking some away. As the lines between the real and virtual worlds blur more and more, the oceanfront property of the internet is also becoming crowded and overdeveloped.

Instead of erosion and rising sea levels, established businesses and trademarks make the oceanfront property of the internet more valuable and less available.

You must be thinking, “Jeff, you must love the higher prices because that means you will make a larger commission.” My answer is, yes, on those large sales, the commission is always lovely. However, those sales have become much more complex and time-consuming from 12 years ago when I entered the business.

What is So Complex? It’s Just a Domain Name?

Our clients are at various stages of the domain purchase process. Some have not decided on a name yet; others have picked out a name and still want to buy a domain. While others are looking to shorten their domain by eliminating an action word (Get, Try, Buy, Visit) in front of the domain for example and settling for the one word .Com.

When the client has not settled on a domain name we first like to learn as much as we can about their venture—the types of products, and services they offer and their target customer. We get a ballpark of their budget and the timeframe they would like to complete this transaction. Then it begins!

We scour the internet looking for domains that fit what they are looking for. Then, we go directly to the customers we have direct relationships with, domain investors, established companies, and EVEN OTHER BROKERS!

We take all of the names we find that fit, and we like them as well. Put them on a shared Google Sheet with the client, and we start the process of reviewing the names, prices, and situations that might come with each domain.

Buyer v. Seller

Some mornings we will wake up to a Google Sheet you thought someone deleted, but in reality, it is the customer letting you know the domains we provided don’t get them excited. That means we need to do some more digging. 

 Sometimes we find a domain that the buyer loves, the price is in their range, but their lawyer comes back and says, “Nope!”. 

– Back to the drawing board.

Then the day comes when the stars align. We find the domain name that excites our buyers; the lawyers give their blessing, but the seller …Well, the seller. They don’t feel the same way. The problem is: 

The seller is a multinational company and despite the site not resolving they have an internal product based on the domain.

The seller is the original registrant with a 20-year-old email address tied to the domain. He doesn’t want to lose it.

The seller is a defunct company.

The company that owns the domain is in bankruptcy.

The seller is “Too busy.”

The seller said the domain was stolen.

The seller died.

The seller is in the midst of a divorce. The assets are frozen. 

The seller has “An emotional attachment to the domain.”

The seller just doesn’t want to sell it.

The seller has other plans for the domain name.

The seller is unresponsive.  

The seller will only take USD, the buyer will only pay in BTC.

The seller will not sell to a specific type of person.

The seller changed his mind and he no longer wants to sell it for the price he agreed to.

The seller’s price expectations are outside my client’s budget. 

Each of these are real situations we have encountered some of them many times over our years of being in the business. 

Some of these might make you chuckle reading them, but you should hear some of the excuses we have heard from buyers who haven’t made payment for domains they agreed to pay for.. However, that is for another article.

We Love the Challenge

We have seen each of these situations, been challenged, and we have overcome them. I am not going to say that we have been 100% in our efforts, and we turn water into wine, but we have had much success coming across situations like the ones listed above.

Situation: The seller that had the domain stolen.

Outcome: Luckily the person who stole the domain (who tried to sell it to our client) was unable to get it out of the registrar in time. We helped him contact the right people internally, follow the proper process, get it back and complete the transaction. The transaction was delayed for quite a bit of time working with the legal department to get the lock removed. In the end it all worked out.

Situation: The seller has other plans for the domain:

Outcome: The buyer picked out a great domain for the business. The seller said he isn’t interested in selling. He had other plans for it. Cash was not something that would motivate the seller. We decided to share the buyer’s deck with the seller. The business idea excited him. We introduced the buyer to the seller. They traded stock and an advisory role for the domain. – Great story, great ending.

Situation: The seller would only take USD buyer would only pay BTC: 

Outcome: The buyer made a very generous offer for the domain name in BTC. BTC is something the seller was not interested in. I found an attorney that would accept the BTC., liquidate it then send the cash. The seller was in dispute with the attorney a few years before. The seller would not work with him. Found another company to conduct the transaction. While looking for a new solution, BTC dropped significantly in value, making the cash price unacceptable to the seller. BTC rebounded, and we completed it.

Situation: The company that owns the domain is in bankruptcy: 

Outcome: We have worked with portfolio owners and other sellers whose assets are in litigation. We understand how to navigate the legal process and create the right expectations, especially regarding the timing of how everything will work out with the buyer. It took much patience, and even an appearance before a judge, but it worked out.

Situation: The seller is the original registrant with a 20-year-old email address tied to the domain. He doesn’t want to lose it.

Outcome: This happens a lot more often than people think. One of the things we do is put in the contract that the buyer will forward X number of emails, what the email addresses are for Y amount of time. It takes some explaining as to how it will work, but this is usually one that we can find a way to find a middle ground between all parties.

Situation: The problem is that the seller is a multinational company and despite the site not resolving, they have an internal product based on the domain. 

Outcome: Instead of the buyer paying for the domain over time, the buyer needs to give the seller time to migrate their internal systems off of the domain name. That could take up to six to eight months. The buyer put a sizable down payment down to prove he is serious. The seller will then start the migration process and finish several months later.

Every Opportunity is Different

On top of all of this, we are still negotiating price, contract terms, jurisdiction, and a lot of times, monthly payment contracts. For many of our clients, it is the largest purchase they have ever been part of. These transactions can take months or even years to complete. It takes much time, energy, strategizing, and patience to make it happen.

Despite the challenges of being a Domain Broker, always changing one thing that will never change is that every opportunity is different. The opportunity to learn about new ideas, businesses, and technology is something that will never get dull for a guy like me.

Giddyup!

Saw.com is Doing the Pan-Mass Challenge with John & Elliot

This August, John Berryhill and Elliot Silver are representing the domain community in the Pan Mass Challenge. Covering 165 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown, this is the first time in two years the PMC has returned to its traditional format. John and Elliot have been doing this for years, and have personally raised over 100,000 USD for this great cause. 

Saw.com is delighted to be riding with them this year, as a corporate sponsor. While we continue to help our customers buy a domain, we will be cheering them on and supporting the amazing work of Dana Farber, from home. Look for the orange and blue logo on the jersey! 

If you are interested in donating to this great cause, please click here. 

The Pan Mass Challenge

“The PanMass Challenge, and The Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride are my two favorite bike rides. Happy to be a part of it.”

John Berryhill 

The Pan-Mass Challenge is a fundraising bike-a-thon started in 1980 by Billy Starr. The challenge benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute via the Jimmy Fund, and raises more money than any other single athletic fundraiser in the country. 100% of PMC of rider-raised revenue goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. PMC has raised $831 million for research and treatment since its launch in 1980. 

“Next year John and Elliot should ride a tandem. I would pay more for a sponsorship to see that!”

Jeffrey Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO of Saw.com

About Saw.com

At Saw.com, we love domains and everything they encompass. With over twenty years of experience in the industry, we have made it our mission to help companies and organizations understand digital assets’ role in the ever-changing internet landscape, every step of the way. We specialize in domain acquisition, appraisal, company naming, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more.

No matter the nature, stage, or size of your company, we believe in helping you be seen online and we pride ourselves in our transparency through the entire process. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, contact us! Our domain brokers would love to speak with you. 

Your Business Has Seconds to Make a Good Impression

Everyone knows, first impressions are important. The same goes for your business. 

Within the first few seconds of meeting, people will have an impression of you. Precisely, around the first seven seconds. However, some studies suggest it actually takes just one tenth of a second. This means, when a customer enters your storefront or clicks on your website – their first impression will be made in a mere moment. It is your job to make sure this moment is exceptional. 

With the right tools, like buying a domain and giving customers a welcoming shopping experience, good impressions can be made. This is how your business can make a good first impression, in seconds.

How to Make a Great First Impression

Making sure your business gives a great impression is crucial. In this day and age, we do not always have the luxury of meeting people in person. A lot of our business is now done through ecommerce, and we must rely on our business websites to make that impression for us. 

Whether you are conducting business in person or online, here is our guide to making great first impressions:

Be Welcoming

If you own a storefront and have customers coming in regularly, this is the time to make a good impression. Ensure your storefront has a unique environment that fits your brand and showcases your product.

  •  Is your storefront clean and organized? 
  • What does your storefront smell like? 
  • Is it well lit? 
  • Are your employees friendly and personable? 

If your business is solely online, there are still ways to be welcoming to your customers. The most important is giving your customers an effortless experience from the search bar to navigating their site. Here is how:

  • Own a premium domain name
  • Have a user friendly site
  • Site is well organized and easy to navigate
  • Web design showcases your brand and products 
  • Ensure site works on desktop, laptop, tablets and mobile devices 

Be Trustworthy

Did you know traits like trustworthiness can be determined within one tenth of a second of meeting someone? That is all it takes for a person’s intuition to kick in to decide if you are trustworthy, or not. 

Trustworthiness in business is essential to building a relationship with customers. If you do not appear trustworthy and credible, you will lose business. So, how do you build trust with your customers?

1. Purchase a premium domain name

Which would you trust? JoJoCoffeeShop-123.biz or JoJoCoffee.com. The obvious answer is JoJoCoffee.com. It is short, easy to spell, memorable, avoids numbers and hyphens and has a top level domain extension. It is a domain that builds credibility. 

2. Provide amazing customer service

Customers will continue shopping with you when your business has exceptional customer service.

  • Are your employees friendly and helpful?
  • Are you responsive to customer questions?
  • Do you offer loyalty programs and discounts?
  • Is your service consistent?

3. Speak with your customers

The best way to build a relationship with your customers is to speak with them. This way, you can better understand their needs and ensure their needs are met. Additionally, you get to know more about your customers on a personal level, and they can better understand you!

Respond to comments and direct messages on social media, read and reply to positive and negative reviews, get to know them in store, etc. 

Be Personable

There is a reason face to face marketing is effective. When people see a real person behind the brand, there is a whole new level of trust and respect. Today, it is easy to forget that there are real people behind websites and social media pages. 

However, when brands share the people behind the brand it strengthens customer relationships, enhances brand credibility and humanizes the brand.

Design Your Website Well

If your business is predominantly online, your website is the source of first impressions.

People have an opinion on a website in just fifty milliseconds. Customers can not read about your product in those milliseconds, but they can feel out your brand. The feel of your website like colors, font, organization, and photos are all factors that affect a persons feelings on your site. Ensure you take the time to design your website well.

Ready to Acquire a Domain Name?

Interested in acquiring a premium domain name for your business? Do you want guidance while building your business? Contact our domain brokerage for a free consultation!

Our team at Saw.com specialize in the acquisition of digital assets, and have over twenty years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. 

At Saw.com, our mission is to help you be seen online. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, contact us! Our domain brokers would love to speak with you!

History of Domain Names

This week marks a huge day in the domain name industry. Thirty seven years ago on March 15th, the world’s first .com domain on the Internet was registered, forever changing how we used the World Wide Web.

The Internet has become more than just a way to search on Google – the Internet now carries our e-commerce. More importantly, it allows us to connect with others across the globe. When you buy a domain, you join a huge network with others across the world. Nearly 60% of the population are Internet users – fellow entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, etc.

We use domain names every single day when using the Internet. But do you ever think of their creation? Why were they created? How were they made? Why are they still so important to us today? 

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is a string of text that connects to a numeric IP address. An IP address is the ​​unique and complicated address that identifies a device on the internet. When an Internet user clicks on a domain name they are connected to the IP address via DNS and brought to a specific website. 

Put more simply, your domain is your digital web address. Essentially, your street address but online. It is what people type into their browser when they want to find your website. Your domain name is unique to you, once you purchase it and register it – it is yours – you just need to renew it each year.

How Are Domain Names Overseen?

Flashback over 40 years ago, IP addresses were assigned manually and involved contacting NIC via telephone during business hours. Today, this thought seems unimaginable. With today’s technology and systems like DNS, buying domains and translating IP addresses is as easy as opening your laptop. 

What is DNS anyway?

The Domain Name System is the decentralized naming database where domain names are located and translated into IP Addresses. DNS maps the name people type in to locate a website, and a computer uses that IP Address to locate the website. Think of a contact list on your cell phone – you click on the name of the person you want to call and your phone immediately connects you to their phone number. 

ICANN vs. Registry vs. Registrar 

There are many working parts to registering a domain name. So, who does what?

ICANN, or The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is a non-profit responsible for overseeing domain names, IP Addresses and the entire domain name system. Essentially, ICANN ensures that wherever you are on the globe, you receive the same search results on the Internet.

A registry is the entity responsible for top level domain names, TLD’s. A registry creates TLD’s (ex. .com, .net, .org, etc.) as well as the rules and regulations that come with owning a domain name.

A registrar is an organization accredited to sell domain names to the public. The registrar handles the reservation of domain names as well as the assignment of IP addresses for those domain names.

What Was The First Domain Registered?

The first .com domain registered was Symbolics.com. This domain was registered in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 15th, 1985 by the computer software company, Symbolics Inc. The company was founded at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab. 

Although this was actually not the first domain name ever created. That would be Nordu.net, which was used as an identifier for the first root server – nic.nordu.net. Symbolics.com was still the first domain to ever be registered through the DNS, or Domain Name System. 

In 1985, the Internet was a noncommercial medium used more as a tool for academia or the government. The average person did not have as much use for it. In 1986, domain name registration went public. By 1996, Google.com was born. Today, over 367 million domains are registered around the world. 

So much has changed on the Internet over the past forty years. One thing is for certain, the Internet connects us, and domains help with that.

Ready to Acquire a Premium Domain?

Interested in acquiring a premium domain name for your business? Want to know what your other options are? Contact our domain brokerage for a free consultation!

Our team at Saw.com specialize in the acquisition of digital assets, and have over twenty years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. 

At Saw.com, our mission is to help you be seen online. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, contact us! Our domain brokers would love to speak with you!

How are Domain Names Appraised?

Whether you own a domain or are looking to buy a domain, you will need to perform a domain appraisal. If you own an asset like a domain name, it is crucial to have an understanding of how domain pricing works and how to get your domain appraised. 

Understanding domain pricing as a domain owner and buyer can give you power during sales. Why? Having knowledge about domain pricing will ensure you do not settle and do not break the bank when buying or selling a domain. 

So, how are domain names appraised? What factors affect a domain appraisal? Let’s discuss. 

Domain Appraisals

Domain appraisals allow you to gather information on a domain name, like the estimated value and how it compares to other domains. Think of it like a home appraisal. When refinancing, buying or selling a home – you need your home appraised. A home appraisal looks at the location, square footage, age, collateral, condition, and comparable sales in the area of the house. Furthermore, a home appraiser calculates two values for the home: the fair market value of the property and replacement cost of the property.

How is this related to domain names?

There are a few different values that are calculated when appraising a domain, similar to appraising a home. Also, similar to home appraisals, there are certain factors and metrics used to determine a fair market value for domains. One difference between home and domain appraisals is that while home appraisers are always licensed professionals, anyone can appraise a domain.

Factors of a Domain Appraisal

When you are getting a domain name appraised, there are a few factors and metrics that will affect the price of the domain name. It is important to keep these in mind when choosing a domain name.

Top-Level Domain (TLD) vs other domains

There are a few different extensions that affect the value of a domain. There are top level domains ( .com, .net, .org, .biz, .edu and .gov). Country code top-level domains like (Germany, which is the second most-registered TLD next to .com), .co.uk (United Kingdom) and .ca (Canada). And generic top-level domain: Some examples are .agency, .ai, .email, .rentals. 

Usually, the more common an extension, the more valuable it will be. In almost every case, a .com is going to be more valuable than a .biz or .agency. However, this depends on the target audience for the domain. are certain circumstances when a country code extension or another generic extension might be preferable to a .com or other top-level domain.

Brandability

If the domain you are selling or looking to purchase is brandable – the price will be higher. These domains are typically non-keyword, general or made up words. Think Google, Pinterest, Uber, etc. 

Length

Usually, the shorter the domain, the more valuable.

Desired, premium domain names are short, easy to spell and easy to remember. Additionally, short domains help build company credibility. Would you trust ArtificalIntelligence123.com or AI.com? 

Industry

What industry is the domain connected with?

Depending on the industry, a domain could change in value. For example, NFT’s and cryptocurrency are growing in popularity, so a domain related to the industry is more desirable. 

Market Trends

When appraising, you can look at trends for many different situations. One easy way to find trends is to visit trends.google.com. It’s a search tool that shows you the number of searches for any term over time. From this data, you can discern the interest or demand for a domain name you might be looking to purchase. 

Spelling

Is the domain hard to spell? Easy to spell? 

Generally, the easier to spell the domain is, the more desirable and more expensive. This is because it is easier for customers to remember and find, and tell others about your company 

Domain Age

The age of the domain is another metric that has a huge effect on the price of the domain. If the domain was registered 30 years ago, it is most likely a highly desired domain compared to domains registered in the last year.

Comparable Sales

This metric is similar to appraising a home. You look for domains that are similar, more desirable or less desirable than your domain and find some middle ground. This allows you to get an idea of what the domain valuation market is like.

Interested in Speaking With One of Our Domain Brokers?

With these factors and metrics in mind, you can learn more about the industry and make informed decisions when appraising your domain. Whether you have a domain name in mind, or are looking for more information on a domain name –  Saw.com has you covered!

If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, please contact us for a free consultation. Our domain brokers would love to speak with you!

A domain name is essentially your street address, but online. It is how new and returning customers will find you and shop with you. The easier it is to find you, the more likely customers are to return to your site. 

Our team of domain brokers have over twenty years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. 

How To Protect Your Small Business

Running a small business requires long days and sleepless nights. You need to make sure it is protected. As a business owner, it is necessary to take the extra steps to ensure your business is protected. From investing in security software to using AdultBlock or buying a domain for defensive registration – you can better protect your business from threats.

Data breaches and cyber attacks are a very real threat to small businesses with an online presence. These include malware, phishing, man in the middle and more. A breach in cyber security could not only affect your business, but your customers as well. Protect your small business, and your loyal customers, with our tips. 

Protect Your Business

By creating a cybersecurity plan today, you can better protect your business from future threats. Here are our tips for protecting your business:

1. Invest in Security Software

Investing in a firewall or antivirus security software could be a little expensive, but well worth it. These softwares act as a digital shield, protecting your website from potential threats. Additionally, some scan your website for potential viruses or malware. This real time protection will identify threats, alert you and remove them. 

2. Implement Defensive Registration

If you own a domain name for your business website, you might want to consider defensive registration.

Defensive Registration is when you register domain names across many different TLDs, formats and grammar for the purpose of protecting your intellectual property. If you are a startup or small business and have the budget to purchase a domain name plus other TLD’s, it could be a good idea to keep people or other companies from buying similar domain names. 

3. Create Strong Passwords

Before launching your site and after, you should always be smart about your passwords. You should be using long, complicated passwords that are changed frequently. Additionally, you should be encouraging your employees to use secure passwords too. 

4. Implement Multi Factor Authentication

In addition to having a secure password, you should consider implementing Multi Factor Authentication. Multi Factor Authentication requires users to present two or more identifying factors, like a code, to access a program. Many of these codes change every few minutes, making it secure against cyber attacks. 

5. Use Secure WiFi

WiFi is not secure when you first buy it. Make sure you change the default WiFi password that comes with it – one of the most secure is a Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) code. Furthermore, you could also utilize a virtual private network (VPN) to protect business data.

Ensure your router does not broadcast the network name to the public by “hiding” it. If you have a physical storefront, think about creating a separate “guest” network for your customers.

6. Back Up Data

As a small business owner, you should regularly backup essential business data to a computer. This includes documents, spreadsheets, financial information, databases, employee files, etc. Backups ensure that confidential information is never lost or stolen. 

7. Purchase AdultBlock

It can take up to twenty years for a business to become well established. However, it could take five minutes for a spammer to destroy your business by damaging your reputation.

Cybercriminals have many different ways to attack your business. One being, buying a domain name that looks a lot alike yours. This can be changing letters or characters, like swapping a “o” for a “0” or apples.com for appIes.com. The difference? The “L” is replaced with a capital “I”. Additionally, cybercriminals or spammers could hurt your business reputation by using your domain name with adult themed TLD’s. Both pose a huge threat to your business and your businesses reputation.

AdultBlock enables qualifying organizations to block the registration of any domain that falls under their trademark. AdultBlock stops every variation of your trademark from being registered in the domain extensions including, .xxx, .porn, .sex and .adult. Additionally, it covers you for ten years.

Want to Learn More About AdultBlock or Defensive Registration?

Our mission is to help you be seen online, and keep your business protected. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about protecting your domain name, please contact us for a free consultation. Our domain brokers would love to speak with you!

A domain name is essentially your street address, but online. It is how new and returning customers will find you and shop with you. The easier it is to find you, the more likely customers are to return to your site. 

Our team of domain brokers have over twenty years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. 

Let’s Discuss Keyword Domains

When you buy a domain for your business, you need to have an idea of the type of domain you are looking for. A branded domain, an exact match domain, a keyword domain, etc. Believe it or not, a domain name can truly make or break your business. You need to choose the type of domain that will work for you and your brand.

Today, we will be discussing keyword domains! Including the difference between keyword and branded domains and how keyword domains can benefit your business.

What Are Keyword Domains?

A keyword domain is a domain name that describes the type of business or industry. They are domains that are directly related to your business, product or service –  but are not the actual company name.  These keyword domains tell the customer, and search engines like Google, about the website and product without using an exact match domain. If chosen correctly, keyword domains can rank high in SEO and be easy for the customer to remember.

Keyword domains can be region specific. For example, a bakery in England might be BestBakery.uk.

Or keyword domains can describe the business or product. For example, PhoneRepair.com or Shoe.com. These domains do not include the company name, but highlight the product or service.

Benefits of Keyword Domains

Keyword domains can actually bring many benefits to the businesses that use them. From improving SEO to building your brand, let’s discuss more benefits of keyword domains.

1. Communicates Your Business

First and foremost, keyword domains communicate your business to your customer, quickly. One look at your domain name, a customer knows what your business is and what you do. For example, if your website is BestBakery.uk, people finding your site immediately see that you are a bakery and that you are located in the UK.

Whereas a branded domain name would not immediately communicate the business to a customer. Unless it was a very famous brand, such as Nike.com  or Reebok.com.

2. Increases Organic Traffic

Keyword domain names tend to rank higher for SEO than websites that do not have keywords. 

Additionally, using a keyword domain can make it easier for customers to find you. If a customer is trying to find a watch repair shop, they might come across WatchRepairs.com faster than LizFixesWatches.com. By using WatchRepairs.com, you could generate more organic traffic to your site.

3. Increases Click Through Rates

Users are likely to click on your website if they see a keyword in the URL. This connects with keyword domains’ positive influence on SEO. If your domain includes a keyword and is ranked high – more people will click on your website.

4. Can Help Save Money

Since keyword domain names can help with SEO and click through rates, you might be saving money down the line. Additionally, some keyword domains can be more inexpensive than other domains. However, this also depends on other factors, like the domain extension, if domain is available, etc.

5. Builds Credibility

Keyword domains have the power to build credibility and brand recognition. 

A keyword domain allows you to attract more customers and generate organic site traffic. Ultimately, you can be seen as a leader in your industry and a name that people trust. 

Branded Domain vs. Keyword Domain

Keyword domains have many benefits for your business, but how do they compare to other types of domains? Let’s discuss the difference between branded and keyword domains.

Branded domains exactly match the brand name of a business. Oftentimes, they are unique made up words! For example Nike.com, Amazon.com, Target.com. These domains do not describe the product or business (like a keyword domain) instead they are the exact brand name.

Brand domains are unique and memorable. They can be very helpful when building a brand of a company. The challenge is if you’re a small business starting with a branded domain, it can take some time to get your name out there and recognized. This is where keyword domains can be very helpful.

Ready to Buy a Keyword Domain?

Interested in acquiring a keyword domain name? Or would you like to discuss your domain strategy with us?

Our team of domain brokers have years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. Additionally, we handle the nitty-gritty work for you. 

If you are choosing between a keyword domain and a branded domain, we can help! We can help you weigh your options and develop a strategy for your business. 

Our mission is to help you be seen online. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, please contact us for a free consultation.

Are NFT’s Safe to Buy in 2022?

It is nearly impossible to read an article or open social media without seeing NFT news and/or a Bored Ape NFT. Even the beloved Staples Center in Los Angeles, California is being changed to Crypto.com Arena. NFT’s are everywhere. 

We recently discussed the rise of NFT’s over the past year and what to expect of them in 2022. Additionally, the rise of individuals buying a domain related to NFT’s. But today we discuss – Are NFT’s safe to buy in 2022?

Background on NFT’s

Unfamiliar with NFT’s? Let’s do a quick background on NFT’s and their rise over the past year. 

An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a unique digital asset part of the Ethereum blockchain, an open-sourced blockchain. A form of digital collector item. They represent real life objects like art, music, videos and in-game objects. Some examples of NFT’s include: unique digital artwork, a video, gifs, an essay, digital collectible, a video game item, designer sneakers, an online ticket for an event and a domain name. They are bought and sold online, and many times purchased using cryptocurrency. 

They are different from a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. For example, Bitcoin is interchangeable. One Bitcoin equals one Bitcoin. They are the same physically and worth the same amount. However, NFT’s are not interchangeable. Each NFT is like an original Mona Lisa or The Starry Night. Unique, and not worth the same value.

Are NFT’s Safe to Own?

NFT’s are safe to buy, especially with their current popularity. However, that does not mean they do not come with risks. Some possible risks? Your NFT losing value, damage of the physical asset, cyber security and fraud. Like everything, it is important to do your research before making the investment. Additionally, making sure you take the proper steps to ensure both your ownership and its security. 

Overall – the technology behind NFT’s ensures it is protected from being stolen or changed. Buying an NFT is generally as safe as buying cryptocurrency. 

What are the Risks?

1. NFT’s are unregulated

Like everything, investing in NFT’s comes with risks. First, like many cryptocurrencies, NFT’s are unregulated. Anybody can create and sell an NFT. Just look at Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg and others, who made their own and sold them for millions. Since anyone and everyone can make their own NFT to sell, it is possible for an NFT to eventually lose value.

The lack of a centralized authority means all transactions are permanent. Whoever has the information for the account and NFT – it is theirs. Even if it’s from theft. Essentially, if your NFT is stolen, there is almost nothing you can do because of the lack of a centralized authority. 

2. Cyber Attacks

Since NFT’s are all online, the risk of cyber scams and hackers are high. Like a social media or email account, there is no way to guarantee your NFT is protected from theft.

Hackers would most likely target digital services and networks used to store, buy and sell NFT’s. Additionally, fake sellers pose a threat and could try to sell you an NFT that does not exist.

When you buy an NFT, there are ways to protect yourself from these attacks:

  • Use a very complex password and never reuse passwords
  • Store NFT on a secure wallet or an external drive
  • Do not purchase NFT’s over social media, purchase in a secure marketplace
  • Enable two factor authentication 
  • Update software regularly 
  • Do not go for a deal that sounds too good to be true
  • Do your research

3. Copyright Infringement

Third, copyright infringement. It is possible that the NFT is stolen or made without the artist’s permission. Take Corbin Rainbolt, an artist who frequently shared his work on social media. He discovered at least two of his pieces were being sold as NFT’s without his consent. 

This case highlights a huge problem with NFT’s. That anybody could claim a digital photo as their own and sell it, even if they did not create it. Furthermore, the publicly recorded digital ledger of the blockchain does not protect against this since people do not need to use their real names. It is difficult to enforce any rules when nearly every user is anonymous under a username.

Takeaway

Reading the risks of investing in NFT’s can be very intimidating. There are many risks and many unknowns when it comes to this industry. However, this is true of any industry and investing opportunity. 

NFT’s are new and interesting. They offer a chance for people to support local artists, a favorite NBA player and for you to own something that is 100% yours. NFT’s are becoming popular across various industries, including fashion, sports and gaming. This will only continue for NFT’s in 2022. 

If you are interested in investing in a NFT, just make sure you do the thorough research required and take proper steps to protect your NFT and yourself.

Ready to Buy a Domain?

Interested in buying an NFT related domain name?

A domain name is essentially your street address, but online. It is how new and returning customers will find you. The easier it is to find you, the more likely customers are to return to your site. Choose a company name, and the domain name to match with us!

Our team of domain brokers have years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. Additionally, we handle the nitty-gritty work for you. 

Our mission is to help you be seen online. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, please contact us for a free consultation.

Domain Name Royal Rumble: World Wrestling Federation vs. World Wildlife Fund vs. WWF.com

As CEO of a domain brokerage, I’ve heard quite a few crazy stories over the last couple of decades. This one is likely tops in the world of domains, brands, and the type of value we bring to the table when consulting the world’s top brands on domain name acquisitions.

Domain names and the words as business uses for branding matters. Even if the words, or in the case of WWF versus WWE, the acronyms don’t use the same words at all.

It may simply be a matter of the type of business, what activities the business engages in, the content, and more. Even if a business has permission from the original domain and/or business owner.

All of which may cause a website domain royal rumble. And did for many years.

This is all well documented, but oddly not popularized. It is, in many ways, like it never happened at all. And this story teaches us important lessons about domains and the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP).

It is the website domain name royal rumble. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) vs WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and a Domain Investor.

Let’s get it on!

The WWF Agreement of 1994 Broken Like a Ladder in a Ladder Match

To tell this bizarre, yet very important domain tale between wrestlers and pandas, the ending should probably be the beginning.

Did you know WWF (the Worldwide Wrestling Federation, not the wildlife fund) was changed to WWE in 2002? 

“To further capture a greater share of the global marketplace and to represent the growing diversity of its entertainment properties, World Wrestling Federation Entertainment today announced it is changing its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE),” a 2002 WWE press release noted. “The company’s website, one of the most popular in the world, will now be found at WWE.com.”

Linda McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Federation said the name change, “provides a distinct and unencumbered global identity that will further cast World Wrestling Entertainment as an integrated entertainment and media company.”

This it certainly did. However, the new WWE would have gladly kept WWF if it had not lost a website domain Royal Rumble with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Also known as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

In the first round, the WWF wrestlers lost, and the WWF pandas won.

Confused yet? The wrestlers had to give up WWF.com as a result of an agreement. This ended the first round of the match in 1994. 

The 1994 agreement allowed the WWF wrestlers to go about business in the United States. However, any international use of WWF for wrestling purposes needed to cease.

There were a ton of potential reasons behind the 1994 agreement. Some allegations of poor behavior outside of the ring in 1992 may have played a role.

Nonetheless, the 1994 agreement was in place until the wrestlers were again pinned for the three count in a 2002 lawsuit. A lawsuit in which the World Wildlife Fund claimed the wrestlers were not playing by the rules, and demanded the wrestlers discontinue all uses of WWF.  

The wrestling federation argued that changing the brand could cost upwards of $35 million.  But the judge pointed out it was their own fault for risking the wrath of the panda people by skirting the agreement, saying, “the costs of rebranding now, after five years of development, are entirely attributable to its (World Wrestling Federation) own decision to take that risk.”

WWE Took a Risk

RISK is certainly worth highlighting here. The agreement of 1994 between the now WWE and the WWF should have been the moment the now WWE changed up the domain and branding strategy. Instead of trying to bounce back from the ropes for more punishment. 

But they took the risk, and ultimately lost. The 2002 win for the World Wildlife Fund required the wrestling organization to entirely stop using WWF branding.

Now this is where everything gets bizarre. 

After all of 2002, the WWE let the domain name, WWF.com expire. When that happened the domain name expired, and was picked by a domain investor. 

This domain investor then used WWF.com as a web forum dedicated to everything happening in the wrestling world, since fans still associated “WWF” with wrestling content. Now imagine the faces of the Word Wildlife Fund’s legal team, when asked why they did not get the domain name in the first place! 

They just finished their dispute with the old WWF, and like a punch-drunk palooka climbing back into the ring, the WWF.com domain name was back to being about wrestling online.

Naturally, the World Wildlife Fund took action by filing a domain name arbitration proceeding with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2006.

Who Was to Blame?

Was the domain investor to blame? Not really. The domain name WWF.com was never transferred to the World Wildlife Fund because the now WWF failed to obtain a court order to do so in 2002 after the legal case.  Additionally, the domain was not infringing on the World Wildlife Fund’s trademark, and the domain investor never had an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund like WWE did. 

The people that could have a claim was World Wrestling Entertainment, but their hands were tied by the fact that they were no longer allowed to use WWF.  In fact, I’m told that the WWE contacted the domain investor before the domain dispute was filed, in order to ask him for a statement that WWE had nothing to do with his use of the domain name, so they could tell the wildlife folks, “It’s not us!”

For these resons, the domain investor won the final match, and kept WWF.com.  The domain name may have changed hands since then, and unless you are looking for a new gambling account, or possibly a dubious download, I do not suggest going to it. 

Lessons Learned from the Website Domain Royal Rumble: WWF vs WWE vs WWF.com

The saga of WWF.com is entertaining, but there are a couple of takeaways worth keeping in mind.

For instance, consider the risk of co-existing with another user of the same brand in another market. While internet domain names were not on anyone’s mind in 1994, it is harder now for companies to co-exist using the same mark for different goods or in different markets, when only one of them can have the domain name. 

Even now, many domain name disputes are driven by companies which, at the time they chose their brand, were unable to obtain the corresponding domain name and decided it didn’t matter.  Then, years later, a company using ThisNameCompany.com realizes that they would have been better off either securing ThisName.com up front or choosing a different name if they could not get that domain name.

Getting a website domain for your business can be pretty simple. But looking at who else is using the same or similar branding for even very different goods or services, making sure that your domain name is the most intuitive and direct way for your customers to find you, and securing the optimal domain name, or going back to the branding drawing board, can prove challenging. This is why professional help from experts is a must. 

The last thing you want is a domain dispute notification, or even worse, getting sued and needing to rebrand your entire business. Don’t risk it. 

Celebrating 2 Years of Saw.com

Two years of helping you be seen online.

Today, December 15th, 2021, marks the 2nd anniversary of Saw.com. We have come a long way from our launch in 2019. We would like to thank our team, colleagues and of course, our amazing clients. On our two year anniversary we look back on the beginning of our story and look forward to the future of Saw.com!

Our Story

Let us jump back to December 15th, 2019, a global pandemic was brewing and so was Saw.com. Two domain industry experts decided to begin a new adventure – starting a business. Jeffrey Gabriel and Amanda Waltz built their company on their passion for the industry and helping clients meet each and every one of their goals. 

At Saw.com we pride ourselves in our transparency with clients and our enthusiasm for helping businesses with everything from branding to portfolio management and of course, buying a domain. 

We are so proud of our team and how far we have come as a company in the past two years. 

Words from Our Team

Hear from our amazing team as we celebrate two years of our company!

Jeffrey Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO

We set out with a specific plan and goal in mind. We had a plan on how to get there, but the journey we went on could not have gone differently. Looking back at it, I would not have had it any other way. 

We launched Saw.com with the help of Ron Jackson in mid-December 2020. Then, we really kicked it off in January the following year. We gained a significant amount of momentum, closing a sizable amount of dollar volume along with many transactions in the first half of March. Then pandemic hit, and on March 15, 2020, we hit a wall. It seemed like the world stopped, so did our business. That April, we had barely any sales, and everyone we were working with said to follow up with us in 3 months, 6 months or the project is shelved altogether. I remember being very worried about our professionals, but also all our personal lives. 

We ended up having a meeting where I said, “Guys, if the buyers aren’t buying right now, we need to make sure we keep working as hard as we can, so when they do, we will be at the front of the line.”

As I always have said, “Hard work always pays off.” 

In about mid-June, it did. It was like someone hit a switch, and we have been rocking and rolling ever since. 

Our focus has mainly been working with startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs. We offer a consultative sales approach that adds value to their brand strategies. This has lead to us assisting in sales like: 

Ai.com, Candy.com, Yac.com, Experience.com, Go.TV, Vamp.com, Kevel.com, Alloy.com, B.Fit, and many many more. 

We are looking forward to a great future with a solid team of  six brokers, ten support staff and that includes some of the industry’s best minds to bring some great products to add value to our clients and, most importantly, have much fun and laughs doing it.

Amanda Waltz, Co-Founder

I would also like to include during the time when contracts and sales were stalled, we decided to stay the course and plan for the recovery ahead.  

If we had failed to plan; then we would have surely failed.  We focused on our messaging and listening to the needs of of customers for when they were ready.  Their recovery fueled ours.  

Paul Thomson

Jeff and Amanda have worked so hard since starting the business and it is constantly evolving into new areas, congratulations to you both and I look forward to working with and alongside you both to make 2022 a bigger success.

Rob Wilson

Can it really be two years already??!?! Happy Anniversary to Saw.com, what an incredible couple of years it has been! Growing a business through what has been an uncertain time and to have done so well is a real achievement and a testimony to the dedication and innovation of our founders and team. Here’s to many more years of success.

Kris Hou

Happy two years to Saw.com! I know we will continue to be more influential and help more people who need help finding their perfect domain name.

Brooke Hernandez

“May we live to learn well, and learn to live well.” Happy two years Saw.com, may we continue to grow in 2022!

Buy a Domain Name with Saw.com

A domain name is essentially your street address, but online. It is how new and returning customers will find you. The easier it is to find you, the more likely customers are to return to your site. 

Our team of domain brokers have years of experience in the industry. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, appraisal, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more. We pride ourselves in our transparency and passion to help you reach your goals. Additionally, we handle the nitty-gritty work for you. 

Our mission is to help you be seen online. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, please contact us for a free consultation.