Chris Clark, an American consultant, made headlines in 2008 when he sold the domain pizza.com for a staggering $2.6 million.
Clark originally registered the domain in 1994, during the early days of the internet, hoping it might help his consulting firm secure contracts with pizza companies.
Despite selling his business in 2000, he chose to keep the domain, paying the modest $20 annual renewal fee and using the site to host ads.
Years later, inspired by the news that vodka.com had sold for $3 million, Clark decided to see what pizza.com might fetch. In January 2008, he listed the domain in an online auction, quickly attracting attention.
Bidding started at $100 but surged rapidly, reaching $2.6 million within just one week. The sale, finalised during the height of the 2008 financial crisis, highlighted the exceptional value of a simple, memorable domain name.
Today, pizza.com remains largely unchanged, featuring a basic layout with advertisements and a message inviting inquiries about the domain’s purchase.
Reflecting on the sale, Clark expressed some regret at not registering more domains in the internet’s early days, yet the success of his venture into the digital space made an enduring mark on the domain market.
#MaltaDaily