I have been busy enjoying time with the family the last couple of days.  I had to disconnect from the internet to really have a good time with them.  I received an email notifying me the following geo domains will be on auction on Monday, April 21.  The reserves have been competitively priced to entice bidding.  These are some great geo domains that will definitely give an individual a head start with SEO on the internet.  Hopefully, these geos do not sell for the reserve, and if they do, someone will get a great deal!  If you are at the conference, please send an update.

NYC.net reserve set at $75K 
SOHO.net reserve set at $12k
Honolulu.org reserve set at $11k
Portland.org reserve set at $12.5k
New-York.org reserve set at $8k

Moniker.com will be hosting a geo domain auction in Paris in June.  They recently sent out an auction alert thru their newsletter.  The geo domain industry is maturing and the international market is exactly where the fire needs to be ignited.  Moniker.com continues to educate business owners and investors on the importance of a great web address.  It will be interesting to see the results of this auction. 

Even if the results are not good, it is a great indicator that the domain industry is understanding exactly how powerful geo domains are becoming as countries from across the world embrace the internet.  Things can only get better if the auction fails.  I have a feeling if great names are submitted, we will be surprized of the auction results.

Auction Alert  Make sure your marquis names are among the premier international inventory in the Live Domain Auction at DomainerMeeting in Paris, June 19-20. The deadline for bulk domain submissions is tomorrow! If you’re looking to cash in some of your domain assets, now is the time to consider an auction if you have these types of domains among your holdings:
   
   Top notch foreign language (not English) dot coms 
   Premium ccTLDs 
   High-quality Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)

In addition to bulk submissions, Moniker will continue accepting limited auction submissions (max of 10 names) through April 30. After April 30, only single-word premium domains (one per person) will be accepted through May 14.
» Submit domains for consideration now
» Find out more about DomainerMeeting
» Visit Moniker’s main auction page for DomainerMeeting

(Via Moniker.com)

This is a good article on local mobile search.  It highlights the growth of consumers using mobile devices to search for local content and states the importance of advertisers delivering ads that fit this new way of search.  What I find interesting is that big companies still use the term ”yellowpages” for local search.  A very powerful brand, but the truth of the matter is that yellowpages do not deliver the same results, content.  Content is the most important factor when a consumer is in the “Buy Now” mode or even “Window Shopping Mode” on the internet that will determine action being taken by the consumer.  They consistently use this term to identify the local internet market.  It really is the wrong term to use IMHO, until yellowpages delivers more content on the internet, other than a name, number, and address.

Big media will get it eventually, but I find it frustrating that the big guys with millions/billions of dollars and marketing gurus with PHDs and every type of degree, are just scratching the surface.   While everyone is faced trying to take over the world in local advertising individually, those who form networks will be the ones who are succesful at online dominance.  Geo Domains will be the primary platform that consumers will search for first, before they go to a company called Yourlocalpages.com.  One key statement that struck me and holds some truth, is the fact that consumers are uneducated on the different local platforms available for thier use. 

The reason I say holds some truth, is because local consumers already know where to find local information on the internet.  Think about it, where do you go for local information in your area on the internet? I am sure you have an answer, and that answer and reason is what we all are trying to replicate.   

(via searchengineland.com)

The Traffic Show auction results were not very impressive as I stated earlier today.  There were 6 geo domains that did sell for a combined total of $105,000.  

The Geo domain industry is steadily gaining momentum, even in the aftermarket among domainers.  All signs point to explosive growth in the coming years, heck even months to come! 

NewYorkCheesecake.com $12,000
VegasDiscounts.com $15,000
Hollywood.mobi $16,000
Broadway.mobi $17,000
Vegas.mobi $20,000
OklahomaRealEstate.com $25,000

As always, I love it when I come across articles that validate the existence of the Geo domain industry.  Marchex has done an outstanding job proving how effective geo domains can be with the right game plan and platforms.  It is great to see the growth earnings from 2006 to 2007 with geo domains.  Additionally, the traffic they have continued to increase monthly. 

For those still in denial that the geo domain industry exist, you should read about the money Marchex has made so far with their geo domains. If you need further proof, take a look at the big bidding going on Sedo.com’s geo auction.  Amazing, only the second day of the auction and the top 8 names combined have netted over $2 million!

(via centredaily.com)

“Marchex’s focus on the local online opportunity led to our positive performance in the fourth quarter and increased momentum in our business,” said Russell C. Horowitz, Marchex Chairman and CEO. “Marchex is achieving leadership in local through two means: first, by building and delivering the most local-centric advertising platform in the industry, supporting clicks and calls; and, second, by delivering unparalleled utility and relevance to local consumers through our network of proprietary local Web sites. Our success in each of these areas is already leading Marchex to a point of scale that few companies in the local online industry possess, and is positioning us to capture increased market share and see accelerating growth.”

The Sedo.com geo domain auction started today and has already attracted several of bidders.  This is great news for the Geo domain industry!  Some of the top geo names with multiple bidders are listed below.  There is still 6 days and some change left until this exclusive geo auction is complete. 

Hopefully the owners of these geo domains do not have unrealistic reserves.  Rick Latona stated today that his geo domains were listed to sell on his blog today.  This will bring even more publicity to the exploding Geo domain industry as huge sales are reported across the internet. 

I just hope that sedo.com has fixed the problem Iran.com experienced in the past and validated these bids to prevent bogus bids and discrediting our industry. 

 Good luck to all Geopreneurs with names on the market. Tommy and Rick, we are rooting for you!! To view the results, click on the logo. 

Today is the start of the first ever Geo domain only auction in a mainstream auction house.  Sedo.com has some outstanding geos listed for sale.  It will be interesting to see the interest involved in these and the prices they sell for.  One thing that is hurting the domain industry somewhat is the current recession in the US.  Hopefully this does not hinder the auction.  I am looking forward to reporting a successful auction for the Geopreneurs who have placed their geo assets on market. Click on the logo to view the auction.

Good luck to all!