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The Power of Domains: Dharmesh Shah Sells Chat.com
By SmartBranding Team access_time 2 min read

Recently, we experienced a grand demonstration of the rising value of domain names as Dharmesh Shah, co-founder of HubSpot and a visionary entrepreneur, announced acquiring Chat.com for over $10M. Today, he announced that he had sold the domain, making a profit within just two months of purchase.

Shah had previously announced his purchase of the domain in an enlightening post that emphasized the potential of chat-based User Experience (UX) and the role of generative AI in making it possible. He was candid about his reasons for buying Chat.com.


 Chat.com is absolutely brilliant in terms of simplicity, shortness and being totally *on point* and meeting the moment. It immediately creates user trust. Somebody (not me) will build a massively successful product/company on it.

Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO at HubSpot

The transaction has sparked conversations around the significance of domain names and their potential to create strong brand identities. It’s hard to dismiss the value of a domain name that is simple, memorable, and trustworthy.

In his announcement, Shah didn’t disclose the details about the buyer or the selling price, but he confirmed that it was more than what he had paid, leaving us to speculate the exact profit he made. The entrepreneur is well-known for his savvy business strategies, and this move further highlights his understanding of the industry’s dynamics.

Over the years, Shah has often emphasized the value of domains. Citing the example of his word-game site, WordPlay.com, he noted:


WordPlay.com has hit 150 million games played and 16 million users. I know for a fact that a lot of this is because the domain is easy, memorable and fun.

Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO at HubSpot

This recent sale of Chat.com has reinforced the notion that domain names are more than just web addresses – they are digital real estate with enormous value. In an era where branding is central to a company’s identity, a simple and memorable domain name can make all the difference. As Dharmesh Shah has shown, the right domain can be an incredibly powerful asset.


A premium domain name is a powerful tool for businesses looking to establish a strong and professional online presence. If you’re ready to upgrade your brand and boost your online presence, contact us for more information on our premium domain name options and how they can help your business succeed.


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