Published on TIGM.com — Where Domains Become Headlines
Brandable .COM price bands explained: under $5k, $5–15k, $15–50k, and $50k+. What qualifies for each band, how to set ask vs floor, and how to move a name up a band.
Why price bands
Price bands keep your portfolio consistent and fast to price. Instead of guessing a number for every name, choose which band it belongs to, set a clean Ask (list/BIN) and a realistic Floor (minimum you’ll accept), then move on.
Terms (first-use):
- Ask: your public BIN/target.
- Floor: your lowest acceptable number (private).
- Liquidity: how quickly a domain tends to sell at a given price.
- Radio test: say it once; can someone spell it?
Brandable .COM — four practical bands
| Band | Typical Ask | Name Patterns That Fit | Liquidity Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Under $5k | 2-worders with minor friction; coined 7–10 chars with OK phonetics; light niche intent | Faster turnover if priced right |
| Core | $5–15k | Clean 2-word (≤12–14 chars) or crisp coined 5–7 chars; passes radio test; clear SMB use cases | Healthy retail band |
| Prime | $15–50k | Short/elite coined (4–6 chars) or standout 2-worders with high intent; strong aesthetics | Slower but high-quality inbound |
| Flagship | $50k+ | Category-level brands, premium real words, exceptionally short/elite coined with broad demand | Rare; patient selling |
Use this as a portfolio rubric. If a name straddles two bands, list higher only when inbound fit is strong (right industry, budget signals, timing).
Quick placement checklist
If you tick ≥4 in a row, that’s your likely band.
Starter (<$5k)
[ ] Spells fine but not instant wow
[ ] 2 words or 7–10 chars coined
[ ] Clear SMB use but moderate intent
[ ] Some comps exist, not strong
[ ] I’m OK selling quickly
Core ($5–15k)
[ ] Passes radio test on first try
[ ] ≤12–14 chars (2 words) or 5–7 char coined
[ ] Obvious buyer types (≥3 industries)
[ ] Clean history & low TM risk
[ ] Looks good in Title-Case (e.g., NinjaBrokerage.com)
Prime ($15–50k)
[ ] Short, stylish, or highly commercial
[ ] Demand/CPC strong (finance, SaaS, data, security)
[ ] Multiple relevant comps in this band
[ ] Broad buyer universe (startups + enterprises)
[ ] I can wait months–years
Flagship ($50k+)
[ ] Category phrase or elite coined
[ ] Obvious C-suite brand potential
[ ] Scarce alternatives
[ ] History is clean; renewal normal
[ ] I’m willing to wait years for the right buyer
Examples by pattern
- Starter (<$5k): GreenDock, PivotNest, CardPilot — light intent; fine but not rare.
- Core ($5–15k): DataHarbor, SendMint, ClaimBridge — clean sound + commercial fit.
- Prime ($15–50k): PayBeacon, VerifyLab, FluxGrid — short, strong intent, wide use.
- Flagship ($50k+): Ledgerly, Nimbus, SummitPay — category feel or elite coined.
If a name feels between Core and Prime, start Prime only when you get qualified inbound (right industry, funding signals). Otherwise, list at Core for momentum.
Ask vs Floor
| Band | Ask (List/BIN) | Floor (Private Min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $2,499–$4,999 | 50–70% of Ask | Speed over max price |
| Core | $5,888–$12,888 | 60–75% of Ask | Most retail action here |
| Prime | $18,888–$39,888 | 65–80% of Ask | Screen buyers; verify intent |
| Flagship | $59,888–$199,888+ | 70–85% of Ask | Patience; showcase story |
Round smart: “x,888” reads clean on domain landers; avoid quirky cents.
How to move a name up a band
- Refine presentation: clean hero image, tagline, and use-case bullets on the lander.
- Tighten phrase: if still naming, consider lighter suffixes (-ly, -labs, -hub) that improve sound/fit.
- Strengthen comps: collect relevant sales (structure/vertical/TLD match).
- Broaden buyers: write 3 concrete buyer profiles and tune copy to match.
- Remove friction: ensure WHOIS privacy, DNS, and transfer path are smooth; disclose normal renewal fees.
Negotiation snippets
- Budget check (inbound opener):
“Thanks for reaching out. This is priced in our Core band based on demand and comps. Do you have a budget range in mind?” - Counter from lowball:
“Appreciate the offer. We’ve had interest in this space; I can do $X,888 today with a 24-hour hold.” - Nudge to close (Core/Prime):
“If we can settle at $Y,888, I’ll include an immediate registrar push and split escrow 50/50.” - Hold line (Flagship):
“This is a flagship-tier brand. If timing isn’t right now, happy to revisit next quarter.”
Lander checklist
[ ] BIN + Make Offer visible (or clean price on request)
[ ] Trust badges: escrow option, fast transfer, VAT/GST note if needed
[ ] 1-click contact: form + email; WhatsApp optional
[ ] Use-case bullets: 2–4 buyer ideas (Fintech app, B2B SaaS, Payments API)
[ ] Logo stub: simple wordmark; avoid clip-art
[ ] Response SLA: “We reply within 2 business hours”
When banding doesn’t apply cleanly
- Dictionary-word .COMs (often above these ranges)
- Geo/service exact-matches (local lead-gen dynamics)
- Legal/security risk (drops a band automatically)
- Premium renewals (cap price or disclose clearly)
FAQs
Can I list Core but accept Starter offers?
Yes—set Ask at Core and keep a Floor near top of Starter if you need liquidity.
Strong comps but narrow buyers?
List higher if you can wait; add LTO/payment plan to widen funnel.
Do 4-letter .COMs always rank higher?
Not automatically. Pronounceability and brand feel beat letter count.
Should I always use “888” endings?
Common and fine; portfolio consistency helps buyers understand your rubric.
How often should I re-band?
Quarterly. Update on new comps, funding cycles, inbound quality.
