# Web Domains Become Big Business (Again?) By Greg Ponesse | Published 2007-07-23 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/web-domainsthe-new-real-estate References: [cnn](http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/07/23/domain.name.dealing.ap/index.html) The buying and selling of web addresses is becoming big business. Thanks to [pay-per-click advertising](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paypercall-solution), the business could top $4 billion by 2010. Why you ask? People no longer look at web addresses as a commodity, but rather look at it as a [piece of real estate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-property). **Implications** - The vast expansion and widespread adoption of the Internet has turned online domains into valuable virtual lots. Savvy entrepreneurs are monetizing domain names just as real estate developers might monetize a rental lot. To take advantage of this opportunity, companies can purchase a series of relevant domain names and place a carefully curated blend of unique advertising and content on them. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Domain Monetization:** The monetization of online domains has created opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs to turn online domains into valuable virtual lots for generating revenue. - **Virtual Real Estate:** The widespread adoption of the Internet has turned web domains into valuable virtual real estate, opening up opportunities for real estate developers to monetize domain names much like rental lots. - **Pay-per-click Advertising:** With pay-per-click advertising, buying and selling web addresses could hit a $4 billion industry by 2010, opening up opportunities for businesses to monetize their domain names. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Technology:** With the vast expansion and widespread adoption of the Internet, technology companies are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the buying and selling of web domains. - **Advertising:** Advertising firms can generate revenue by purchasing a series of relevant domain names and placing a carefully curated blend of unique advertising and content on them. - **Real Estate:** The monetization of web domains has created opportunities for real estate developers to monetize domain names much like rental lots. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Domain Sales Insights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/domain-stories.md) - [Domain Monetization Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stakeweb.md) - [Domain Investment Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/domainprophets.md) - [Domain Marketplace Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/undead-domains.md) - [Digital Asset Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flippa.md) - [Domain Name Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-domain.md) - [AI Domain Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/domain-crafter.md) - [Redesigned Online Property Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-property.md) - [Metaverse Property Sales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-land.md)