A numeric domainers association as a means of raising industry stature

Last week we reported on the idea of a professional association for numeric domainers, which was prompted by the discovery of several recently registered domains by a WordDial co-founder. The block of registered domains includes monikers that you'd associate with a professional association including the actual phrase 'Numeric Domain(ers) Association' and also 'forum' and newsletter (we discovered another domain in the block, DailyNumericDomainer.com).

Professional or industry associations generally serve to elevate the skill sets, networks, ideas exchange, and careers of its members and also promote trade and good business practices (ethics) in the marketplace. An industry association is the first place the public often goes to seek general information, consultant or business referrals, jobs, learning opportunities, license verifications, and even position statements. All of these services increase the visibility, professionalism and stature of the field.

Visibility, professionalism and stature is what the numeric domain industry needs most and for two main reasons.

First, the visibility (and stature) of the numeric domain industry needs to be raised because a significant amount of investment and web development related to numeric domains has occurred yet it hasn't been enough to garner the attention or interest of news outlets, large internet companies and wireless carriers. Of great concern to numeric domainers is the lackluster marketplace and lack of liquidity for numeric domain properties in general.

A second reason the numeric domain industry needs added visibility, professionalism and stature is that numeric domainers automatically inherit the lack of trust the public places on all members of the domain industry, which has a tarnished image from the actions of cybersquatters and trademark violators. Numeric domainers ought to be viewed as upstanding businesspersons who follow best business practices, business ethics and all applicable laws. This is one of the core goals of the DNOA (Domain Name Owners Association): 'the building of trust and professionalism of its members.' DNOA's webpage is littered with confidence-inspiring words and phrases such as honesty, integrity, ethics, scoundrel-free and professionalism. Although a few nice-sounding adjectives on a website won't build trust, a code of ethics abided by all members would help. So would a dispute resolution service. Another way to significantly boost the numeric domain industry's image is by emphasizing the fact that numeric domainers have immunity from copyright and trademark violations - this would add much needed legitimacy to the efforts of current and prospective numeric domain owners and web developers.

Certainly a numeric domain association would help by educating the public about all the reasons why one ought to invest in numeric domain properties. It also could help match buyers and sellers via an online marketplace or auction events.

If numeric domainers want investors to realize the utility and worth of their properties or products, it will help to raise the industry's visibility, professionalism and stature. An industry association is the obvious means to those ends.