How will the global financial crisis affect IDNs?

[Jay]

Just wondering what people think will be the fallout of the financial crisis on domains and IDNs in particular? Positive? Negative? No difference?

[clipper]

I don't think it's going to have a noticeable affect on IDNs.

On ASCII, particularly GEOs and real estate names, I think there's going to be a contraction in prices and consolidation in ownership. People that need to sell will sell, at whatever price they can get. This means, those that bought on margin or credit will have a tough time.

People interested in buying will wait until there's a fire sale. I think we have already seen this in recent auctions where the figures came in well below expectations. Further, as a developer, things like the collapse of Washington Mutual will have an effect on earnings. I believe that WaMu's online free checking was a huge earner for a lot of affiliates, and we all got notice the day of the announcement that WaMu's affiliation was immediately terminated:

Dear Affiliate,

Most of you have seen the news regarding WaMu today. We would like to ask that you pull all WaMu affiliate links effective immediately.

We will be shutting down the affiliate program today. You technically have 7 days to take down the ads, but in good faith we would like you to consider pulling all affiliate links related to Washington Mutual immediately.

Thank you in advance,

WaMu Affiliate Team

Things like this will happen over the coming months (years?), but other opportunities will surface. If anything, web developers are on top of the news and are aware of the risks involved in their endeavors, and plan accordingly.

I've actually put off making offers on a few ASCIIs that I intend to make offers on. Let's let things get worse, is the thinking, and maybe my offer will seem a little better.

IDNs haven't had the level of speculation that ASCII has, though, and many investors are well-capitalized enough to wait until the local markets mature. Most of the players that have been in since 2001 have not budged, despite a lack of traffic, browser support, a serious secondary market, and widespread use. There has not been widespread development, and when it happens it will only increase use, perhaps typein, but definitely local market interest in prime terms.

People who positioned themselves properly made a killing during the Depression. This time around it will be no different.

Just my opinion.

[Lidador]

Here: http://www.trenddomaining.com/a-doma...of-green-pork/

[Rubber Duck]

Domainers including FS have expressed the "if you can't make it here you can't make it anywhere" view on the US markets.

Perhaps when they are all hanging out at Soup Kitchen attitudes to other markets will soften a bit. Will they be any use to us then? No, not if they ain't got any cash their will to splash around.

But in the scheme of things does it really matter anyway?

Duck's tip for the day. Invest your money in Heinz.