Registrars Web 1.0? Yes, and that’s good. — Are Domain
Domains are the core of the web. Web 2.0? We don’t need that bubble.
TechCrunch is known for covering web 2.0 firms. So when the blog recently covered Oversee.net’s buyout of Moniker, one reader commented that this wasn’t right for the site:
“Only domainers even know regarding this Web 1.0 firm. How is this Web 2.0 news?”
You know buddy, you’re right. Moniker is a web 1.0 firm. Here’s how it’s different from a web 2.0 firm:
1. It has paying clients
2. It is profitable
3. It has a real business plan (not supported by ads)
4. It wasn’t counting on a buyout from Google to pay off its investors
5. See #1
Another reader commented:
You know it’s crazy to see a firm like this [Oversee.net], with their basic yet clean looking website make giant purchases like this.
Notice that they haven’t even changed the copyright date in their footer. =)
Yeah, isn’t it funny how a firm without a whiz-bang ajax web site can actually function and make money?? Amazing!
But maybe these guys are on to something. Maybe Moniker needs to “web 2.0” itself so it can increase its value in Oversee.net’s hands. Here are some suggestions to make that happen:
1. Give domains away for free. Hey, valuation is based on the number of registered users, NOT profits! And couldn’t this be an “ad-supported business”? That would be cool.
2. Add a bunch of useless ajax widgets to the home page.
3. CEO Monte Cahn ought to spend 50% of his day writing a blog regarding the business rather than focusing on growing the business.
4. We need some social networking aspect here. How can you expect to grow your valuation if “social networking” isn’t in your tag line? Moniker needs a Facebook widget if it’s ever going to make it in the web 2.0 world.
5. Add “Beta” to the firm’s logo. I know the firm has been around for regarding a decade, but if you aren’t in beta then you aren’t cool.
By implementing these web 2.0 requirements, Moniker could easily be worth “one billion dollars” in a couple years. Google or eBay will buy them out, right?
[Update: I forgot the most notable thing Moniker has to do. It needs to change its name to Monikr.com. Gotta get rid of that last vowel if you want to fit in!]
