The other day, I was doing some domain auction research, and I placed a backorder for a domain name I saw had many bids at NameJet. The name looked great, although I was a bit surprised there weren’t more backorders. I figured it may have been a passe term, but I didn’t give it much thought.
When it went into auction, I was on my iPhone. I almost immediately placed a higher bid and was the leading bidder for this domain name. I still didn’t know it was a typo.
A few hours later, I returned to my office and spent a bit of time monitoring my NameJet auctions and doing some valuation research. I wanted to determine what I would ultimately be willing to pay for the domain name. I copied and pasted the keywords  into Google, and when I saw Google’s suggestion for an alternate spelling, I realized the domain name was a typo.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to remove myself from an active auction, so I will end up buying the typo if I win. The correct spelling of the domain name is not a trademark, so there aren’t trademark concerns that I know about. In addition, because of the large number of bidders, some research might show that this typo could be monetized and earn PPC income. I really don’t know.
The long story short is that you should always double check your spelling when bidding on auctions and making offers at various marketplaces. I have made this mistake before, and I am sure I will make it again in the future. Hopefully you won’t!
On a sidenote, if you know the auction I am referencing, I intentionally did not mention the domain name  and ask that you don’t (I will delete comments that mention it). I don’t want anyone to think I am trying to draw attention to the name so someone outbids me. I don’t want to win the domain name, but I am resigned to the fact that it might happen. I guess it’s a good lesson to share.
Your honesty makes you a legend.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this.
Anyone can make such a mistake — Years ago, I did this with vvebbooks [com] (I thought it was webbooks).
I have kept this domain as a reminder.
I thought $40.00 a bit too cheap.
It happens. We’re human with all that goes with being human.
🙂
Good article Elliot. I’ve had a few in my time – my biggest fail was the word “accommodation”. When I saw a good geo with “accommodation” on the front or the back, I would buy them. Trouble was I didn’t register that they were either 2 “m’s” and 1 “c” – or vice versa.
I’m smarter now!
One thing I do on a regular basis for domain names is to chop off the extension and split the words, then enter into google. If there is a typo, it will tell me right away, as you described.
Picked up SethRogan.com on accident.
Have a friend that looks like Seth Rogen and I figured it’s a great name for him to setup an email on. He gets it often.