From Zero to Brand Hero: How These 7 Start-Ups Scored Their Perfect .com Domain and What It Cost Them

1. Lyft – In 2013, ride-sharing company Lyft acquired the domain Lyft.com for around $47,000, matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, Lyft.me.
2. Airbnb – Online lodging and vacation rental platform Airbnb acquired the domain Airbnb.com for $20,000 in 2009, matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, Airbedandbreakfast.com.
3. Fiverr – Freelance services marketplace Fiverr acquired the domain Fiverr.com for some $5,000 in 2010, matching their business brand.
4. Zoom – The video conferencing company acquired the domain Zoom.com in 2018 for an undisclosed amount, but it’s been reported to be in the range of $1-2 million,, matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, Zoom.us.
5. Sift – Fraud prevention and detection software provider Sift acquired the domain Sift.com for an undisclosed amount in 2018, matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, SiftScience.com.
6. Trivago – Online travel booking platform Trivago acquired the domain Trivago.com for an undisclosed amount in 2007 (but it’s been reported to be in the range of $10-12 million), matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, Trivago.de.
7. Acorns – Investment and savings app Acorns acquired the domain Acorns.com for $6,750 in 2014, matching their business brand and replacing their previous domain, AcornsInvest.com.

These start-up businesses recognized the importance of having a matching .com domain name for their business brand, which can be critical for establishing brand recognition and credibility. While some of these domain purchases were relatively inexpensive, others required significant investment.

In addition to these examples, there are many other start-up businesses that have made similar domain purchases, often paying high prices for a premium domain that matches their business brand. However, it’s important to note that not all start-ups can afford to make such a purchase, and there are alternative options available, such as choosing a different domain extension or working with a branding agency to develop a unique brand name.