Most people in the domain industry are investors who buy domain names in anticipation of a high return in the future. These investors typically park or develop the website as a way to monetize it.  Developing the website could lead to a higher return because it will already be an established website.  If the website can maintain a high amount of traffic, it can increase the value of that site.  The process of buying and selling these domains does not guarantee profit as there is no way to tell which domains will be profitable in the future. If the domain is a one letter domain or is something that is relevant, the value will generally increase.

There are quite a few domains that sold for over a million dollars and we decided to make a list of the top 20.  Instead of a typical top 20 list, Tough Domains decided to adjust it for inflation to 2015 to see how much it would be worth today.

1. Carinsurance.com – This domain was sold for $49,700,000 in 2010. When we adjusted this for inflation, it came out to be $55,208,788.
2. Vacationrentals.com – This was one of the most expensive domains to be purchased before 2010 with the record of $35,000,000 in 2007. When we adjusted this for inflation, it came out to be $40,838,545.76.
3. Insurance.com – This was another domain that sold in 2010 for $35,600,000. After we adjusted this for inflation, the total came out to be $39,545,932.65. Quinstreet owns both Carinsurance.com and Insurance.com
4. Privatejet.com – This domain sold for $30,180,000 in 2012. After we adjusted it for inflation, the price came out to be $31,910,230.63.
5. Internet.com – This deal was finalized in 2009 for $18,000,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the price would be $20,315,056.64.
6. 360.com – This domain was sold in 2015 for $17,000,000.
7. Insure.com – This is another domain owned by Quinstreet. This was brought in 2009 for $16,000,000. When we adjusted it for inflation, it is $18,057,828.12 in 2015.
8. Bankaholic.com – This domain was sold for $15,000,000 in 2008. If this was purchased in 2015 the price would be $16,861,497.01.
9. Sex.com – This domain was sold for $13,000,000 in 2010. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $14,440,930.46.
10. IRS.com – This domain was purchased for $12,500,000 in 2007. After the adjustment for inflation, it is $14,585,194.91.
11. Hotels.com – This domain was sold in 2001 for $11,000,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $14,585,194.91.
12. Cardratings.com – This domain was sold in 2008 for $10,200,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $11,465,817.97.
13. Fund.com – This domain was sold in 2008 for $9,999,950. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $11,240,941.80.
14. Porn.com – This domain was sold in 2007 for $9,500,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $11,084,748.13.
15. Porno.com – This domain was sold in 2015 for $888,888,888.
16. FB.com – Facebook acquired FB.com for $8,500,000 in 2010. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $9,442,146.84.
17. We.com – This domain was sold in 2016 for $8,000,000.
18. Business.com – This domain was sold in 1999 for $7,500,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $10,796,667.22.
19. Diamond.com (undeveloped and not parked) – This domain was sold in 2006 for $7,500,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $8,996,148.22.
20. Beer.com (Parked) – This domain was sold in 2004 for $7,000,000. After the adjustment for inflation, the value is $8,898,929.85.

As you can see, domain names can be quite a high value commodity.  Domainers who were lucky enough to register these domains made a fortune from selling it. While a lot of these domains are developed, some domains like Beer.com is wasted since it is just parked.

Contact us at info@toughdomains.com for a full report.