So What Is Domain Name Squatting?
Domain Squatting ever heard of it? This an be a very frustrating thing. Ever looked for a domain name only to find that it’s already taken by somebody else. If you've ever tried registering a domain Name before, you might have come across this before with out knowing it.
Domain Squatting Defined
Domain squatting or cyber squatting is the term used for someone who registers a domain with no intention of using it, that would otherwise be used for a site relating to that domain name.
Domain squatting is when somebody finds a domain name they like a (.com, for example), registers the name and just sits on it until they can sell it for a mark-up price.
Domain Squatting - An Example
Recently I came up with an idea for a site and there was a couple of domain names that were ideal, petpale.com and the plural version, so I checked to see if they were available. I found that both the names I thought would be perfect were taken. Both domain names were directed to a generic search page whose sole purpose is to make money off of direct type ins.
This was done with the sole purpose that they would buy the domain name, then sit on it until somebody would buy it. Now don't get me wrong. I am not against people making money off of finding something first or creating something and selling it. The idea gets worse when people get hundreds of names hoping to sell each one for $50,000 and up.
People Can Get Really Out Of Hand When It Comes To Domain Squatting
If you ever run across a person like this they think their name is worth a whole lot more than it really is. The name business.com went for almost $8 million so people think every OK name is worth $50,000 or more. That is silly. The name only cost $70 at most.
Who are they to think that www.ebusinesscommunity.net is worth $100,000? It is probably worth $5,000 or less.
Domain Name Squatting Vs. Domain Name Parking
There is a difference between domain squatting and domain parking and that difference is intent. If you register the domain name with the intent of using it in the future for a purpose relating to the domain name then you have just parked the domain. If you register a domain with the sole intention of making money from reselling it or getting revenue from people typing in the domain name then that is domain squatting.
As I have explained it is not illegal it is just unethical, it is a free market economy and people are motivated by profit. I do not agree with domain squatting as it forces webmasters to use a domain names that are far from perfect. It also misleads internet users as they expect a site to be related to the keywords. Thus making the internet less user friendly.
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