I have a friend who owns a successful business. He's thinking of selling it. There are other like businesses (restaurant) around the world with the same name, but only he has the .com domain name. If he sells his business, he wants to sell the domain separately. The problem is to know what it would be worth. I know there are online appraisal services, but for this it's more complicated than simply how many others have requested the name. I've suggested that he contact the two most prominent establishments--one in New York and one in Paris--and ask them if they'd be interested in purchasing the domain and go from there.

Any ideas?

Interesting topic. I don’t know any other way to place value on a domain except by the number of clicks. In the end, it’s only worth the cash someone is willing to pay you for it.

There are so many people who scoop up available domains on the cheap and then contact “like” businesses in an attempt to sell it for a very large profit. I suppose when one sells, it pays for all the domains that never sell. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing it.

I had a client who let their .com domain lapse. Someone gobbled it up quickly and then contacted them with an offer to sell it for $3,500. Since they also had the .net domain, I told them to wait it out. The next year, they bought the domain for $9.00 when it was again available.

I know it’s not exactly the answer you were looking for, but even if someone were to tell you it is worth a million dollars and nobody gives you the money, it’s only worth $10 a year to you.

Thanks for the reply. Your answer makes as much sense as any. I think for him the best approach may be to make the domain part of the negotiation process when he negotiates the sale of the business, or to contact the two other places that may be interested in purchasing it and go from there. Because, like you said, it's only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.

I don't believe he's looking to make a large profit from it, but he does want to get what it's worth.

I sort of hate to see him sell his place. I've grown accustomed to eating at a 5 star restaurant for the price of gratuity in return for maintaining his site

Regards
Daniel

well maybe you can make arrangements with the new owner hehe, tell the current owner to add it into the contract

if you live in NYC area. Ask for free dinner in exchange. he-he-he-he-he

Good luck with the name. Because I am not selling mine at all. Because there is a star out there that has the name Bike Mike.

I think 'The Joker' has given a very good advice already. But, for some reason, the domain name sale does not become a part of overall sale of the business, he can get it evaluated by a company (or use dnscoop.com I guess) and try selling it on flippa.com .. if the domain name is catchy and short, they are often very well priced.