In an internet landscape of over 1.1 billion websites, entrepreneur Jordan Fried has carved out a unique investment strategy focusing on premium domain names as digital real estate. Viewing dot-com domains as “pieces of Manhattan,” Fried has built an impressive portfolio including puertorico.com ($1.1 million), israel.com ($2.5 million), and nft.com ($2 million).
Unlike traditional domain investors who buy and sell for profit, Fried takes a long-term development approach. This strategy has proven successful – he once turned down a $1.5 million offer from a fast-food chain for his surname domain, free.com, which he had purchased for $50,000.
His acquisition of puertorico.com exemplifies his approach to domain development. After purchasing the domain from its original owner who had registered it in 1994 for $15, Fried transformed it into a comprehensive tourism platform. Using Google Trends to identify common tourist questions, he created content addressing visitors’ primary concerns about safety, passport requirements, and local attractions. The site now rivals Puerto Rico’s official tourism board in traffic, despite operating on a fraction of the budget.
For Fried, domains are more than just digital assets – they’re gateways to creating meaningful impact. Through israel.com, he’s had opportunities to meet with Israeli leadership and discuss national challenges. Similarly, puertorico.com has facilitated conversations with local government officials about promoting tourism and economic development on the island.
This long-term, development-focused strategy sets Fried apart in the domain investment space. Rather than seeking quick profits, he aims to build lasting digital properties that can serve communities while generating sustainable returns.