Welcome to 306 Online
Introduction
In domain nomenclature, three digit, numeric dot coms, like 306.com, are collectively referred to as NNN.coms. They have a kind of uniqueness and cool-factor that appeals to computer people with math backgrounds (like myself), web designers, domainers and companies. NNN.coms can be brandable and all receive a steady stream of traffic.
The traffic is inherent due to the fact that numbers, like 306, can be used to describe many products and entities, so for this reason and others, they can get typed into the browser and search engines quite frequently. In addition, NNN.coms can attract curiosity seekers; People will sometimes look the numbers up, just to see what's there.
The aforementioned and other factors, such as limited supply, have combined to increase their value over the years. There are 1000 NNN.coms in total, ranging from 000.com to 999.com, and all were registered years ago. Despite so many being around, they're becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. If you're able to find an owner willing to part with one, you can expect prices to begin at $10000 US (if you're lucky) and go much higher, depending on quality.
If you visit various NNN.coms at random, you'll soon discover that some have been developed and a lot haven't. Many are parked or used to redirect traffic to other sites. Ironically, the traffic-inducing quality that entices many to buy numeric domains can also hinder their development. E-commerce is the culprit.
Most site owners with traffic producing domains will choose commerce over altruistic ventures and even fun most of the time, which is fair enough. Most numeric domain owners, after deciding to take the commercial route, soon realise that it's simply more cost-effective to capitalize via paid parking whilst waiting to sell for a profit, than to take a chance on development. The next owner usually does the same and the cycle repeats itself. Sad, but true.
Gradually, however, more and more NNN.coms do get developed, which means each year less get put up for sale; This, of course, contributes further to the price increases. In recent years, there have been several notable names, like 800.com that have sold well into the six-figure range and sales in the high, five-figure range have started to become commonplace.
173.com was apparently purchased for US $300000, 770.com was sold to a European online gaming operator for a whopping $343000 and 248.com and 245.com were sold for a cool $175000 and $169000 respectively. $50000 plus sales are becoming commonplace. Perhaps with time, there may be none left to buy... or the bubble could burst and we'd regress to a point where NNN.coms could be hand-registered again. :)
As a programmer with an interest in design, I'm hoping to go against the parking trend and actually develop this one. I'm just not quite sure which direction I'll be taking it in, so for now, this place-setter will have to suffice while I have a think about it. :)
So, for those of you not 'in the know' who are wondering what NN.coms cost, you may be in for a bit of shock. All sell for six figures and can cost a lot more. The name, 55.com, recently sold for US $2.3 million and many are listed for over a million USD, for those who'd like to track down an owner to make a purchase. :)
Notes
By the way, if you're using Windows, this page is best viewed through a Safari Browser with the Quartz Engine running. On a Mac, it shouldn't matter. Under all circumstances, high pixel density (ppi) is preferable. Text-based webpages simply don't look right on any other setup.
This web space was put together from scatch pretty quickly. Over time, I'll endeavour to improve things.