Why Do You Buy Domain Names?

Strange question you may think but let me elaborate a little...

In my opinion, there are several reasons why people buy domain names these days, the most obvious being that they need a domain for a site, product or service they have and they would like to market the same online however, what about the other reasons people buy domain names?

1) As a financial investment.

Do you buy domain names in the hopes that one day you will be able to sell them on at a profit?

2) As a business investment.

Do you buy domain names to stop your competitors registering the domains and either diluting your existing traffic, or launching competing products/services?

3) Because they sound good.

I know a lot of people pick up domain names that 'sound' good, or that are 'funny'.

4) To Build Sites On.

As mentioned, lots of people buy domains because they need one to launch an online website, be it for an adult site, non-adult project or physical item they wish to sell.

5) Because something is 'popular'.

I know i have done this in the past, when something (or someone) gets a lot of media attention i typically have a look at see if a related domain is available to register in the hopes of getting a 'quick' sale through somewhere like Sedo, or just making a few bucks off the Sedo parking pages.

So i was just wondering, what is your primary reason for registering domain names and, when you do register a new domain, do you use it right away or just leave it sitting at your registrar until you develop something for the name itself?

Regards,

Lee

I just bought one because I noticed a new trend and pounced on an untaken domain name capitalizing on the trend...I do intent to build a website there.

I bought a few because I knew I'd do something with them... like JasunMark.com which was where I post the motorcycle documentaries I shoot or GaySportbikeRiders.com which I use to post news about up-coming events for gay bikers in California. Those sites don't make me a penny and they cost me a handfull in bandwidth, but it's a labour of love.

I bought StraightGuysExposed.com and Str8guysEposed.com on spec... I thought I might do something with them and haven't... yet.

I bought MeanInch.com and The MeanInch.com because one of our most popular models turned his small dick into a selling point and I figured I'd point some traffic that might have tried to find it.

I bought a few other domains for sounding cool or funny.

My work with Fratmen is two full time jobs rolled into one so I don't have time to really do anything with them.

At this point, it's more like an addiction.