In an interview with Snagged, Papa’s founder, Andrew Parker, revealed the fascinating journey of turning a simple idea into a thriving service and securing the perfect domain, Papa.com.
When Andrew Parker’s grandpa needed a little extra help, it sparked an idea: connecting older adults with caring companions for errands, tech support, or just hanging out. What started as a simple Facebook post asking, “Who wants to be a pal to Papa?” soon became a national companion care platform, Papa.
But creating a revolutionary company is one thing; building a memorable brand is another. Andrew initially launched the platform under JoinPapa.com, a functional but less-than-ideal domain. Health plan clients and users often mistook “Join Papa” as the brand’s actual name. Next came Papa.co, but this, too, caused confusion. Many users instinctively went to Papa.com, only to find it wasn’t theirs – yet.
The Quest for Papa.com
Papa.com was owned by a domain investor in Germany, who priced it at a staggering $4 million. Andrew’s initial offer of $2,000 didn’t even come close. For years, Papa settled with Papa.co and JoinPapa.com, navigating the challenges of customer confusion and misdirected traffic.
We got Papa.co – another big mistake. Our health plan customers would never remember the .co; they went to .com. So pretty rapidly, after changing everything to Papa.co, I thought, “Oh, my God, we need something else. We need to go back to JoinPapa.” I never fully cut it over because it would just cause issues.
Andrew Parker for Snagged
But in a twist of fate, the timing worked in their favour. Fresh off a successful Series D funding round, Andrew received an alert: Papa.com was back on the market at a price he could finally afford. He made the purchase without hesitation, closing the deal with his credit card.
Why Papa.com Was Worth the Wait
Acquiring the Exact Brand Match (EBM) domain Papa.com was more than a branding upgrade; it was transformative. The simplicity and authority of the .com instantly elevated Papa’s credibility. Clients no longer confused the brand name, and prospective “Papa Pals” (the company’s companions) found the name approachable and memorable.
“Papa.com has an allure to it,” Andrew shared in an interview. “It makes us easy to find and perfectly represents what we stand for warmth, care, and simplicity.”
A Domain That Powers Growth
Since securing Papa.com, the company has scaled to nearly 3 million in-home visits across 7,000 U.S. cities. With partnerships through Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, employers, and long-term care insurance, Papa has become a trusted name in companion care.
The domain’s impact extends to recruiting, too. The catchy and friendly name appeals to younger demographics, making it easier to attract Papa Pals, college students who provide care.
The Right Domain at the Right Time
Papa’s journey to owning Papa.com is a lesson in persistence, timing, and the power of a great domain. What began as a family-inspired name is now a nationally recognized brand, elevated by the credibility and accessibility of a highly sought-after CVCV .com domain name.
The story of Papa.com is proof that the right domain name can make all the difference in building a simple, memorable, and impactful brand.
The right domain name is an important consideration when it comes to building and protecting your brand. If you’re ready to take the next step and invest in a perfect domain name for your business, contact us to learn more about our available options and how we can help you get started.
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