The August 2010 SnapNames.com Showcase auction results are in. Here is the list of domain names that sold at auction and for what prices. Over 200 domain names were listed in the monthly auction and with the Domainfest auction in the same month, it may have stolen some of the Showcase auctions thunder. TennisCamp.com lead the way with a $9,300 sale and AnimalShoes.com closed the loop at $70 for the highest and lowest sales.

TennisCamp.com $9,300

SkiingConditions.com $1,850

FastShop.com $1,180

EasyDivorces.com $890

ToddlerPuzzles.com $590

BabyBikes.com $410

AllNaturalSoaps.com $300

HoodedTees.com $300

KidsOutsideToys.com $300

KidsToyStorage.com $120

StrollerToys.com $80

AnimalShoes.com $70

A total of 12 domain names sold, for an auction total of $15,390.

Clearly selling only 12 domains out of over 200 listed is not all that great for SnapNames but as I also stated that the Domainfest auction may have stolen a little bit of the thunder. I have also stated in the past that I am not a big fan of the auction process of "in auction" domains, which the Showcase domains are listed as.

I think the "In-Auction" domains push some buyers away due to the fact that somebody can not enter in the auction without bidding first. With each bid, the domain price keeps climbing. I think this in turn makes some buyers who would bid closer to the ending of the auction, not bid at the time they "see" the domains listing.

I like the "backorder" format the expired domain names follow and think customer listed (in-auction current) should hold the same format expired domains do. That way more people would join the auctions and the chance is greater that a bidder can get "caught up in the bidding action". If the domain has a reserve, let bidders bid at a low price ($59-$99) and simply state the reserve is not yet met.

IMO, if SnapNames converted "In-Auction" domain name formats to match how expired domain names are listed, they would not only sell more domains but for more money! I know for a fact that I would list more domains for the regular auctions and the Showcase.

The last adjustment I would do is for the customers who wish to list with a reserve price! I would set up a commission structure that would invite sellers to list domains at No Reserve or low reserves. By doing so, I would offer lower commission rates to them by a few % up to maybe even as high as 8%.

Putting in a mix of inviting sellers to list at low to no reserve by lowering commission rates for those that do and add in the expired domain format, would inject some more excitement into Showcase auctions or for daily domain sellers at Snapnames.