29 ms·

Yeah, I'm pretty curious because it must've cost in $10k-100k range right? Isn't this the type of vanity purchase that usually happens after you validate your i

by uses 6y ago

Yeah, I'm pretty curious because it must've cost in $10k-100k range right? Isn't this the type of vanity purchase that usually happens after you validate your idea with 10,000 customers and you got a round of investment to go big? I would expect a newly launched startup to use getpopapp.info, or used a made-up company name with an acquirable domain.

edmundsauto 6y ago
My experience is from 5+ years ago (when google counted keywords in domains), but a 3 letter domain would go for at least 6 figures, possibly up into 7.
- michaelpb 6y ago
  And pop.com would be in the high end of that would be my guess, given it's better that most 3 letter domains as it spells a very marketing-friendly word
  - egfx 6y ago
    Yeah it’s nice but IMO I’m not sure that this is the product I would put on it. I mean how many more apps do I need that insist on turning on my camera? Zoom fatigue and privacy needs are real things. And now this apparently detects who I’m standing next to in virtual space. Why? Anyway I’m certain it feels awkward and uncomfortable and that’s not something you want with a new concept. I would put a bubble bobble clone on the domain. This is what the internet is lacking and perfect for pop.com a major tour de force of classic arcade game remakes!
tyingq 6y ago
I believe you're off by at least one digit in your range.
- swyx 6y ago
  yep. dictionary three letter .com. only way that gets more expensive is if Microsoft sat on it for no reason
1f60c 6y ago
I think it's closer to $1M, if not more.
ad31mar 6y ago
Easily $1M.
mgkimsal 6y ago
I think the players here have already validated many other ideas and have the cash to get this without too much problem. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure they can find a buyer...
jeswin 6y ago
jacquesm (on HN) sold ww.com for about $1m. California.com was $3m, and voice.com was $30m. If I had the money or was running a big corp looking to launch a new product, I'd pay $5-10m for it. I'll be very surprised if it was less than $3m.
random5634 6y ago
The domain is not a cost - it’s an asset - if they flop they should be able to sell it. The risk is paying rent and salaries etc
skrebbel 6y ago
> Isn't this the type of vanity purchase that usually happens after you validate your idea with 10,000 customers and you got a round of investment to go big? - The founder previously flipped his startup Screenhero to Slack and got some cash out of that I suppose. - Interest is negative, that money is just costing money. - Short dictionary domains are a pretty low-risk investment, I don't know the market well but I suppose they tend to increase in price over time. - So if the company fails he can sell it. Meanwhile it's an asset on the company's books so it's part of the valuation etc. Sounds like this is the "second startup" version of rich-ish parents buying an apartment near college for their kid to live in, hoping to flip it for more when they graduate. Doesn't seem all too "vanity" to me, it's just combining pragmatic usefulness with an "good enough" investment opportunity. ps. wow this app works really well!

by uses 6y ago

edmundsauto 6y ago

My experience is from 5+ years ago (when google counted keywords in domains), but a 3 letter domain would go for at least 6 figures, possibly up into 7.

michaelpb 6y ago
And pop.com would be in the high end of that would be my guess, given it's better that most 3 letter domains as it spells a very marketing-friendly word
- egfx 6y ago
  Yeah it’s nice but IMO I’m not sure that this is the product I would put on it. I mean how many more apps do I need that insist on turning on my camera? Zoom fatigue and privacy needs are real things. And now this apparently detects who I’m standing next to in virtual space. Why? Anyway I’m certain it feels awkward and uncomfortable and that’s not something you want with a new concept. I would put a bubble bobble clone on the domain. This is what the internet is lacking and perfect for pop.com a major tour de force of classic arcade game remakes!

tyingq 6y ago

I believe you're off by at least one digit in your range.

swyx 6y ago
yep. dictionary three letter .com. only way that gets more expensive is if Microsoft sat on it for no reason

1f60c 6y ago

I think it's closer to $1M, if not more.

ad31mar 6y ago

Easily $1M.

mgkimsal 6y ago

I think the players here have already validated many other ideas and have the cash to get this without too much problem. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure they can find a buyer...

jeswin 6y ago

jacquesm (on HN) sold ww.com for about $1m. California.com was $3m, and voice.com was $30m. If I had the money or was running a big corp looking to launch a new product, I'd pay $5-10m for it. I'll be very surprised if it was less than $3m.

random5634 6y ago

The domain is not a cost - it’s an asset - if they flop they should be able to sell it. The risk is paying rent and salaries etc

skrebbel 6y ago

> Isn't this the type of vanity purchase that usually happens after you validate your idea with 10,000 customers and you got a round of investment to go big? - The founder previously flipped his startup Screenhero to Slack and got some cash out of that I suppose. - Interest is negative, that money is just costing money. - Short dictionary domains are a pretty low-risk investment, I don't know the market well but I suppose they tend to increase in price over time. - So if the company fails he can sell it. Meanwhile it's an asset on the company's books so it's part of the valuation etc. Sounds like this is the "second startup" version of rich-ish parents buying an apartment near college for their kid to live in, hoping to flip it for more when they graduate. Doesn't seem all too "vanity" to me, it's just combining pragmatic usefulness with an "good enough" investment opportunity. ps. wow this app works really well!