Character Count Breakdown:
- Number of characters before the dot: 3 (mba)
- Number of characters after the dot: 2 (qa)
- Total combined character count: 5
Industry-Standard Evaluation Methodology:
This evaluation leverages a multi-factor analysis consistent with industry best practices and the standards set by Howard Fellman, integrating recent comparable sales, market trends, demand/supply dynamics, scarcity, and the unique power of top-level domains (TLDs).
Top-Level Domain (TLD) Assessment:
The ".qa" extension is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Qatar, a nation known for its economic strength, strategic global profile, and growing technological infrastructure. ccTLDs, while regionally targeted, have historically been less valuable than their .COM counterparts unless the term is hyper-relevant to the region or to entities with strong interests there. In Qatar, ".qa" is recognized for local business use, government initiatives, and Qatari-specific enterprises.
However, the global business standard remains firmly in favor of .COM, which offers universal recognition, trust, and authority, especially among multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies. As Howard Fellman famously notes, "all domain extensions work, but only .COM works well."
Keyword & Acronym Relevance:
- "mba" is universally recognized as the acronym for "Master of Business Administration," a prestigious graduate-level business degree. The acronym holds immense global brand equity, instantly understood by academic institutions, students, employers, and business professionals.
- No ambiguous homonyms or dual meanings exist for "mba" within the business context, lending further clarity.
- As a three-letter acronym, "mba" stands as one of the most coveted and easily remembered combinations in any TLD.
Comparable Sales Analysis:
To provide an authoritative evaluation, we consider public three-letter domain sales (with a focus on both .COM and relevant ccTLDs), updating historical figures to present value by factoring in inflation, escalating scarcity, and surging demand.
Notable comparable sales include:
mba.com: Sold privately for an estimated $1,000,000+ (widely reported, used by the Graduate Management Admission Council). Adjusted for time, scarcity, and increased digital demand, this figure could approach $1.5M+ in today's market.
fb.com: $8,500,000 (2010, sold to Facebook), now estimated at $15M+.
iq.com (ccTLD with double meaning and country code relevance): Sold for approximately $550,000, likely exceeding $700,000 today.
mba.org: While not publicly reported, comparable .orgs have fetched five and six figures if highly relevant.
For ccTLDs specifically:
ai.ai: $50,000 (2019), now upwards of $80,000+ due to the explosion in AI branding and ccTLD acceptance.
jobs.qa: No recorded sale, but strong potential given "jobs" and the ccTLD's regional focus.
insurance.qa: Estimated market value $10,000-20,000, holding niche appeal.
Given the domain in question, "mba.qa" directly combines a globally recognized acronym with Qatar’s national domain, making it potentially valuable to universities, business schools, testing agencies, recruiters, and consultancies targeting the Qatari or GCC market.
Scarcity, Supply, and Demand:
Three-letter domains are considered “digital oceanfront property” for their brevity, memorability, and branding power. Their supply is strictly limited—there are only 17,576 possible three-letter combinations per TLD—making them highly coveted. In .COM, these are virtually all registered and command premium prices.
Scarcity is further amplified by Qatar’s increasing investment in education, entrepreneurship, and digital infrastructure, combined with the growing demand for educational branding in the region
Radio Test and Communication:
"mba.qa" passes the radio test with distinction. It is short, unambiguous, and easily spelled and communicated in both spoken and written form. This is an essential trait for any brand seeking visibility, trust, and authority.
Internet Business Viability & Line of Commerce:
The domain is ideally suited for:
- Educational institutions or universities in Qatar launching MBA programs.
- Qatari government initiatives in higher education.
- Recruiting agencies specializing in business graduates.
- International business schools targeting the Qatari or Middle Eastern market.
- Consulting firms or test-preparation companies offering MBA-related services in the region.
Given Qatar’s aspirational vision for educational excellence, such a domain could underpin national campaigns or serve as a regional hub for MBA recruitment and resources
Competitor Analysis:
mba.com is the gold standard globally, used by the official administrators of the GMAT exam.
mba.org and similar domains are harnessed by large business school networks.
-There is limited competition within the ".qa" extension, making this domain a clear and obvious first choice for any MBA-focused entity in Qatar, lending a “category killer” status in the local market.
Updated Market Value Considerations:
Adjusting for all factors—extreme scarcity, increasing global and regional demand, Qatar’s economic profile, the high value of three-letter domains, and increased digital adoption—the domain’s highest retail value is maximized when acquired by a Qatari university, a regional government body, or a multinational with educational interests in the GCC
Best Use Recommendations:
- Official site for a Qatari MBA program
- Regional MBA admissions portal
- Business school branding/recruitment platform
- Educational consultancy focused on MBAs in the Middle East
Highest Retail Valuation Estimate:
Based on the above comprehensive assessment, current market conditions, and considering the lack of publicized high-value ".qa" sales compared to .COM, but with respect for the unique prestige of “mba” and the country’s affluent market, the domain’s highest possible retail value is estimated at:
**$35,000 – $65,000 (USD)**
This represents a premium for a ccTLD but is justified by the match between the world-renowned acronym and the rising Qatari market. To a motivated, well-capitalized end user, especially a major university or government-backed education initiative, a value toward the upper end—or possibly higher in a bidding situation—is realistic.
Virtues Extolled:
- Ultra-premium keyword: “mba”—globally recognized.
- Three-letter brevity: strictly limited supply.
- Perfect radio test: unforgettable and brandable.
- Strategic ccTLD: Directly targets a wealthy, growth-oriented nation.
- Future-proof: As digital education expands, such assets only appreciate further.
In the realm of digital real estate, this domain is the digital equivalent of owning the corner penthouse overlooking Doha’s most prestigious business district. If you are an institution or business seeking to dominate the MBA conversation in Qatar, securing mba.qa is not just a wise investment—it is a competitive imperative.