I was looking through some upcoming NameJet dropping domain auctions via FreshDrop, and I noticed something that I found to be appalling. Hosting companies either dropping the ball on renewals or not doing enough to help their current or former customers with their domain name assets.

I generally do a historical Whois search for domain names I might have an interest in bidding on at auction. From this, I can see who previously owned it and try to figure out why they either didn’t find the domain name valuable enough to keep or why the domain name may have been allowed to expire.

On four consecutive searches today, I saw that the previous registrant email was a hosting company. What this means to me is that the hosting company didn’t pay the renewal bill either because they didn’t realize it needed to be renewed, their client no longer works with the company, or, probably the least likely of the bunch, the client no longer wanted the domain name.

Since these were very good domain names I searched, it’s unlikely that the client simply opted to not renew the domain name. Another unlikely thing is that the hosting company dropped the ball. I presume they manage other domain names and they would certainly get emails, so it’s unlikely they simply forgot because there would be some severe liability for that I would think.

What is likely in my opinion is that the client no longer works with the hosting company, and the hosting company didn’t feel compelled to let the client know their domain name was going to expire. They probably just didn’t feel like going through the effort of ensuring a safe transfer. Instead, since they didn’t have orders to renew the domain name, and since they wouldn’t be compensated for renewing it without those orders, they took the easy way out and just let the domain names expire.

Of course it’s the client’s job to keep tabs on its assets. However, I think it’s irresponsible or a hosting company to register a domain name on behalf of a client and keep the Whois information in the name of the company – specifically the registrant email where renewal notices are sent. If a relationship ends, the hosting company shouldn’t have to pay for a former client’s renewals, but the responsibility shouldn’t become theirs either.

NameMedia today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with www.freshdrop.net to provide premium domains for purchase through FreshDrop’s Domain Marketplace.

“This is truly a breakthrough in the domain industry. By combining NameMedia’s domain inventory with FreshDrop’s innovative search technology we are now able to empower domain investors, web entities, and online marketers with the ability search cross-marketplace with access to millions of additional premium domain names. NameMedia is a market leader in the domain aftermarket and we are proud to have them as a marketplace partner.” said Tan Tran, President and CEO of FreshDrop.net.

Visitors to the FreshDrop homepage will have the ability to search for NameMedia’s inventory within the BuyDomains tab and the AfternicDLS tab. The BuyDomains tab will include NameMedia’s managed premium domains available for sale while the AfternicDLS tab will include listed domains available for sale through NameMedia’s Domain Listing Service (DLS) platform found at Afternic.com.

AfternicDLS provides domain sellers with the opportunity to list registered domains for sale through its global distribution network, which also includes BuyDomains and a network of leading Registrars and international marketing partners. AfternicDLS has a saleable inventory of more than two million names.

“NameMedia is pleased to partner with FreshDrop. FreshDrop’s innovative approach to domain sales further benefits AfternicDLS members looking to sell names, as well as benefiting FreshDrop’s customer’s base through expanded quality inventory.” said Pete Lamson, senior vice-president and general manager of NameMedia’s domain marketplace.

Individuals interested is purchasing a domain should visit http://www.freshdrop.net. Individuals interested in selling their domains via the FreshDrop Marketplace should visit http://www.AfternicDLS.com.

About NameMedia

NameMedia is a leader in the acquisition, development, and trading of digital real estate through a network of highly targeted Web sites and a marketplace for premium domain names. The company’s Web site development focuses on creating compelling online communities in niche categories. NameMedia’s marketplace allows owners of premium domain names to list their domain properties for sale, and for domain buyers to review the largest available inventory.

Through its ownership of one of the largest domain portfolios in the world, its innovative Web site development platform, and its broad distribution, NameMedia now serves more than 60 million visitors to its network of Web sites and sells domains to customers in more than 100 countries.

NameMedia is headquartered outside Boston, in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.namemedia.com.

About FreshDrop.net

FreshDrop is a leader in the Domain Search arena. The company provides a state of the art platform to help domain purchasers make informed and efficient acquisition decisions.

FreshDrop aggregates domain inventories across major domain aftermarkets and auction houses and provides research analytics on millions of domain names.

FreshDrop is headquartered in Burbank, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.freshdrop.net.