I happen to own the domains solesearch.com and solesearch.net and used to use the .com as a footwear auction marketplace (bigger niche than most think). Still toying with rejuvenating the idea. I've never received any contact from them about acquiring domain. They can't be happy with sole-search.net right?
I have absolutely no feeling, as they should be the top search in google. I do not use the .com or the .net at the moment, like I pointed out. I was just asking if they are a business called SoleSearch, why settle for the domain sole-search.net? It's fairly easy to come into contact with the owner of domains if they are not available.
I'm sure all of their customers find it in the app store and that's why they've never worried about it. But take a successful app like angry birds for example. If I go to angrybirds.com, it takes you to their shop where they earn additional streams of revenue. If these guys want to create something special and "be bought out by yahoo for a billion", in my opinion they need to offer something more to a customer than just the name, address and phone number of a sneaker store. It's all stuff I can do myself by using a free app like google maps.
As I do understand the point your are trying to make. I don't think these guys are necessarily making the website their top priority. They are clearly tapping into new technology (iPhone & Androids) when was the last time you saw someone walking around with their laptop opened up and searching the web. I'm guessing a while. Nowadays everyone is using apps on their phones and/or iPods to keep up, be it facebook, online banking, almost anything can be done through an app nowadays. Another thing you mentioned you said you can do all of these things on google maps, but to be honest you can't they are targeting true "sneakerheads" who enjoy the art of collecting one-of-a-kind footwear not your average sketchers. There are a lot of people all around the world who enjoy the art of collecting unique footwear, which for the most part can be done at a boutique. It's not like going on google maps and searching for the nearest Footlooker, but independent boutique owners who might not necessarily get the coverage on google maps. These guys have built relationships with these boutiques worldwide, and they know these boutiques. Try going on google maps and search for a unique sneaker boutique in Johannesburg, South Africa and let's see how many results you'll get. This is an app for the true sneaker collector who can say "I picked these up when I was in London, and they're one of kind" not for the person looking to replace their running shoes.
