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The "DFIN Domain Grading System"
Suggested Updates, Changes or Improvements Are Welcome
Send To
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GLE@DFIN.COM
Copyright © 2025 DFIN, Free to Use
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Valuation & Demand
Characteristics
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Grade
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Very Successful Existing Business is The Buyer - Before The
Business Was Created and Became a Big Success The Domain Could
Have Been Any Grade |
A Name that Matches a
Highly Successful and Rapidly Growing Business. Tesla is a perfect
example.
A business recognized as
an industry leader will seek a domain that aligns seamlessly with its
brand, trademark, or company name. Domains that cater to
consumer-focused businesses often hold significantly greater value.
– IE: Tesla.com, Rocket.com
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AAA
Tesla.com
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Proven Existing Business
is The Buyer - A Good Business But Not a Tesla |
A
Name that Matches a Large Successful Business or Product but Not
Explosive Growth Tesla or Rocket
or
A
reputable and distinguished business, mature or limited growth
expectations, seeking a domain that aligns with its brand or company
name.
– IE: ICE.com $3.5 million
Purchase
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AA
ICE.com
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New, Un-Proven or Existing Young Business Buyer
With Good Prospects Wants The Domain
The Key is That it Matches an Existing Business |
A Start-Up or young
operating business seeking a domain that perfectly matches its brand,
product, or company name. For an existing company the value of a Domain
is directly related to profit and growth expectations.
As demonstrated by the
Tesla.com seller who held onto the domain for over 11 years. A new
potentially fast growing A-rated company has the potential to evolve
into a highly valuable AAA enterprise.
- IE:
Two Examples, DFIN.com (unsold) or
a small European public company, TP.com that sold for $1.2 million
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A
TP.com
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A Good Brand or Product
Name, ie: Cars.com; like an A Grade but No Business in Place
SEO Keywords
Calls to Action, Common Used Phrases ie: PetSales.com |
Good short, single word
from dictionary or descriptive phrase – common use – brandable easy to
read and spell, easy to remember, price varies with industry
profitability potential – good, memorable, and easy-to-spell common
phrase is good.
. IE:
UsedCarSales.com
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BBB
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A Good but Lower Profit
Product or Service Name
Cars is a BBB and is a Bigger and More Profitable Market
Than Bagels
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New Business Match
Product, Less Profitable Industry, Low Profit Margins, Buyer is a start
up with
Unknown Growth Potential and Industry Profitability - Brandable – More
Valuable as Part of a Domain Farm ie: multiple related
Domains
A 4 letter .com domains like XYPB.com is very liquid and
has good investment potential.
Single Word, IE:
Bagels.com sold for $500,000
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BB
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Longer not in Dictionary but
Brandable
What Was Facebook Before It Was Branded |
OK to Read, Remember & Spell IE:
vimbux.com
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B
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A Domain Name, not good
or bad, but may only meet a small niche |
A large group of these
relatable names (Domain Farm) could Price as a BBB Grade similar to Goat
Foods that purchased Bagel.com
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C
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