Most automated appraisals give you one number and no explanation. BetterNic shows its working. Enter a domain and you'll see an estimated retail range (what an end user might pay), a wholesale range (what another investor might pay), a liquidity rating and every factor that pushed the estimate up or down.
The model rewards what the market consistently rewards — short length, real dictionary words, strong commercial keywords, pronounceability, scarce patterns such as three-letter and four-number .com names — and discounts hyphens, mixed letters and numbers, awkward consonant clusters and weaker extensions.
How to use the Domain Appraisal
- Enter a domain.
- Press Appraise.
- Read the factor list to understand the score.
- Use the asking-price calculator or list the domain when you're ready to sell.
How it works
Name quality score (1–99). Starts from a length baseline, then adds or subtracts for dictionary-word status (using word-frequency rank), two-word compounds, pronounceable brandables, commercial keywords, hyphens, digits and consonant clusters. Numeric names use their own scale with adjustments for repeating, sequential and culturally lucky digits.
Value. The score maps to a .com-equivalent retail value on a logarithmic curve, multiplied by an extension weight (for example .ai or .io relative to .com). Known scarce patterns have floors that reflect wholesale market minimums. Ranges are shown as roughly −40% to +60% around the point estimate because real prices vary that much.
What it can't see: traffic, revenue, backlinks, comparable sales, buyer intent and trademark risk. For a domain that matters, get a human appraisal or ask a broker.
When to use it
- Setting a first asking price
- Screening auction inventory quickly
- Prioritising which portfolio names to renew
- Sanity-checking an offer you received
Pro tips
- Category-defining one-word .com names can be worth far more than any model shows.
- Retail prices assume a motivated end user — time to sale can be years.
- Compare against real reported sales before accepting or rejecting an offer.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a free domain appraisal?
Automated appraisals are rough. They are useful for ranking and screening, not for setting a final price. BetterNic shows its factors so you can judge the estimate yourself.
What's the difference between wholesale and retail value?
Wholesale is what investors typically pay each other for quick liquidity; retail is what a business that needs the name may pay. The gap is often 5–20×.
Can I use this appraisal for a loan or taxes?
No. It is an automated research estimate, not a certified valuation.
Why is my .com valued higher than the same name in .net?
Resale demand and pricing are much stronger for .com, so the model weights other extensions relative to it.