Again, some degree of specialization looks to be the appropriate answer. It should be obvious that appraisal firms should aim to be a neutral party sitting between buyers and sellers. Many appraisal firms have been set up by domain speculators and brokers who tend to have a financial interest in maximizing sales figures. It is in the best interest of the appraisal firms, particularly the smaller ones, to get together and create a non-profit organization, whose job would be to work out a code of practice for members. In return, members would be able to display a special logo on their site.
All industries develop standards as they mature.
If no attempt is made to create a common set of standards, then 'de facto' standards will rule, which will naturally come from the few big domain appraisal companies. If the smaller appraisal firms want to be part of the process of defining how domain names are to be appraised, they need to get together and form an organization and really work towards implementing the ideas. Send Feedback Print Article Email Article Written by Lee Hodgson .