Domainers Destroying The Web Experience: Part I?

Believe it or not, Domainers are now becoming like real estate moguls as they are practically registering every name under the sun. Everyone dreams of selling a cool domain name such as iPhone.com or CreditCards.com for millions. Not to forget that many registrars are using the shady practice of domain-hogging in order to get your business [for those of you not familiar with the concept of domain-hogging, it is the practice used by a few registrars to keep you from going to their competitors. Basically, when you search for a domain name, and it turns out that it's available, you either choose to buy it or wait for a couple of days. Domain registrars will register the domain automatically if you don't buy it. That way you can only buy it from them should you change your mind.]  But is the whole domaining phenomenon helping or hurting us consumers?

Well, many businesses are going to have to spend a ton of money on good “brandable” domain names. Consequently, domaining hinders innovation indirectly. If you are made to spend a million just to get a domain instead of spending the money to develop innovative solutions, we are all worse off. Think about it. You want to create a website about Credit Cards. It’s a given that Creditcards.com is taken. However, coolcreditcards.com, and all logical combinations are taken as well. But if you check these domains, most of them are being parked and monetized through different means. Now I have no problem with allowing people to buy what they want. What I do have a problem with is making it easy for most people to buy 100s or 1000s of domains that they don’t need. If you want to buy a 1000 domains, that’s great, but you will have to pay more for it. Basically, minimizing the utility of buying numerous domains just for the sake of parking them will give those who need 1 or 2 domains for their business a better chance of securing a relevant domain. Obviously, this solution is not going to be easy to implement, and I know it does not solve the problem. But that’s a start. Stay tuned for the second part for some real solutions.