'Net Features : snapnames

FreshDrop Offers Cheaper Drop Catching; Enter the Pheenix

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:45:00 GMT

Drop-catching is the process of registering expired domain names after they have been officially canceled by the registry - in some instances, that can happen in fractions of a second after the domain has been deleted. It's a popular practice among serious domainers.

Domain names that have recently lapsed in this way present a terrific opportunity for savvy enterprises - be it by capitalizing on the direct traffic expired domains receive or even building up a higher quality inventory of domain name assets. To date however, it has been a rather costly practice - at least until now.

The 'major' drop catching services (NameJet, Pool.com, and SnapNames) charge between $59 and $69 per back ordered domains that are successfully obtained but each takes multiple back orders simultaneously, in which case, they are ultimately resolved with an auction (which for good domain names can become really expensive). But a new player has emerged which makes drop-catching less competitive and less expensive.

FreshDrop's new Pheenix service could shake up the domain backordering market dramatically. Backordering domain names through the service is free of charge and customers are only charged ($18.95 for a .com or .net, $58.95 for .CC and .TV) upon a successful acquisition. Domain names that are allowed to be backordered must be within the ‘Pending Delete’ status, and that have not already been reserved by another customer. To see what domains are pending deletion, visit FreshDrop.com and review the 'Pheenix Del' datafeed.

SnapNames Comes to Android

Pete Prestipino — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:11:00 GMT

Looking to snap up a few domains for your portfolio while you're on the go?

If so, you're in luck; domain name auction marketplace Snapnames has released a new Android app for that exact purpose.

The app enables users to bid on domain names, view auction activity (bidding activity, number of bidders, time remaining, high bidder status) and recent auction activity (history).

The app unfortunately does not allow users to add new domains to an account, only bid on domains that were currently added through the SnapNames mobile site.

Snapnames released an app for iOS last month.

Domain Name Self-Serve Listing Service

Pete Prestipino — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:20:00 GMT

Users of domain registrar Moniker will now be able to list domains for sale on domain name auction site SnapNames. Both companies are part of the Oversee network.

Domain sellers will be able to choose the appropriate listing format (auction or fixed priced) and transfer domains on the same day of the transaction, although the sale proceeds will not be available to sellers for seven days in most cases.

"After listening intently to buyer and seller marketplace requirements, we are offering this new functionality to our community of users," said Oversee.net President Jeff Kupietzky. "As people continue to develop Internet identities and expand their demand of domain names, it's absolutely essential to offer a comprehensive selection of quality domains. By allowing users to list from their Moniker accounts, we can quickly increase the availability of quality domains that may otherwise not be available."

SnapNames Selling Expiring Dot-Mobi Domains

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:14:00 GMT

SnapNames will begin offering .mobi domains on its expiring domains auction platform. The .mobi domain extension was launched just over two years ago and interest in .mobi names (depending on who you speak with) has soared, thanks to increased adoption. The dotMobi organization determined now is a good time to accommodate demand for back-ordering services, hence the arrangement with SnapNames.

Trey Harvin, CEO of dotMobi, said, "I am happy to see a market leader like SnapNames ensure that businesses and brands will have easier access to .mobi names currently held in private hands. According to IBM's Institute of Business Value, 50% of global consumers would substitute their Internet usage on a PC for a mobile device, while 70% believe that the mobile Web has the potential to add significant-to-moderate value to their day-to-day lives. Given those kinds of numbers, having a .mobi domain to help customers find your mobile site is increasingly important."