Patrick writes: “”In beginning Christmas shopping this weekend it occurred to me that a smart registrar should offer a “virtual gift card” – could be in increments and then sent to people just like a virtual iTunes gift card, but loaded with money for use at their prefered registrar (could be used for domain registration, hosting, any service offered by the registrar, etc). Bigger registrars could might consider creating actual gift cards, selling them through stores. Anyway, it’s just an idea and perhaps a registrar that reads your blog might actually think it is a good one and make it happen.”"
***FS*** Patrick, you win my “bright idea of the year” prize with this one .. Absolutely brilliant.. and I’m struck that no-one has previously thought of this.. It’s probably the only gift many folks with my dna would actually use. (less subtle hint to family members.. I live in the Caribbean.. please, no more socks.
Can you imagine how many they’d sell if they set up a little stand next to the iMacs in Apple stores, as part of a little iWeb/.mac display?
Then after your purchase a Genius could even set up your DNS and get you up and running…
That is a really brilliant, forehead-slapping idea. Hats off to Patrick
Great idea. I spent some time not too long ago trying to find somewhere I could register/buy domains using my Amex points.
godaddy doing this already
https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/gift/card.asp?ci=10537
http://domaingiftcard.com/
Looks like somebody beat Patrick to the idea, although the website looks largely out of date
and before you even think about it, domaingiftcards.com was regged in 06..
Godaddy has gift cards – they’re not domain specific, but can be used for anything they offer (not sure about the domain aftermarket though). Any other registrar? I agree, I would love to pass some of these out
.
people at tucows are groaning as this is an annual “goofy boss idea”!
Ask and you shall receive.
Maybe not in the way the poster was asking but I found one from GoDaddy:
https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/gift/card.asp?ci=7110
Haven’t found any from others.
What I wanted to do was buy a physical card to send out with Christmas Cards but they don’t make them.
Tia Wood
Frank – We did the gift card thing about 7 years ago, we offer them for 1 year. It was a flop.
I looked on the GoDaddy website before emailing Frank about this and did not see it. Seems like an idea they or other registrars should be promoting with the holidays.
Frank says: ……”I live in the Caribbean.. please, no more socks.”
Frank, that’s just awesome. Funny as heck!
I posted this at Elliots Blog – It’s a great idea for gift giving this season1 Maybe it will raise some much needed awareness.
December 2nd, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Just thinking about “counting my blessings” and I have decided that for Hannukah everyone in my family will be receiving a domain!
I have a large enough portfolio to share and I think that it could just be the gift of the Season… if not their lifetime!!
Despite constant conversations about my newest passion, nobody in my family really gets it – or shares my enthusiasm about domaining.
Perhaps if “their domain” gets picked for an auction and sells for a tidy sum they will change their mind!! At any rate, it is a great gift and makes even better conversation than the usual gifts…
If we all did this for the Holidays, imagine the talk around the water cooler the day after Christmas! We might be starting something pretty interesting!
My List:
Husband: http://www.indecentproposition.com (too much info?)
Daughter: http://www.textmeaning.com, http://www.textdefinitions.com (she is an expert on text messaging! 14 years..)
Dad, http://www.IHaveSeniority.com
Mom, http://www.RSVPon.com (she makes reservations, not dinner!)
Sister#1, http://www.prenatalspecialist.com (she is a genetic counselor)
Sister#2, http://www.lethimpay.com (personal joke!)
Brother in law#1: http://www.allinpokerplays.com (huge poker player)
Brother in law#2: http://www.wihelp.com (not great with the computer.)
Nieces: http://www.styletrends.mobi (young enough to wait on .mobi!)
http://www.huntforemeralds.com (loves treasure hunting)
Nephew: http://www.3dkidsgame.com (only 2 yrs)
This could be fun! If anybody wants to make an offer, HURRY! Hannukah starts Tuesday night!