There’s nothing like a human appraisal. But some of the lowest priced ones do no more than run the name through some metrics for a quick number. I’ve discovered a free site named SwiftAppraisal.com, that will give you a quick number. It bases the value on eleven factors: Marketability, Clarity, Memorability, Popularity, Extension, Length, Words, Hyphens, Numerals, Substitutions, and Abbreviations. Of course, it relies on you being honest with yourself when answering the questions.

Are the calculated values accurate? Are they even close? Or, are they just for fun? Well, I don’t know, I haven’t used it enough to know. I did try it with one name for whch I already have an Afternic $19.95 appraisal. The domain name is BusinessSolar.com. SwiftAppraisalcom estimated the value at $5,600 - $8,400. My Afternic Appraisal is $1,400 - $6,100. (All solar names went up in value lately though, with this story.) I first had a value double this, but I had specified the market as a “medium market;” this time I said “small market.” Not sure what I’d really consider it–it might be best described as medium.

Why don’t you all give it a try on some of your names and post the result in the comments below.

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