WHAT DOMAINERS WANT – ADD YOURS
January 30th, 2010 Posted in Aftermarket, Business Sector, General Domain NewsI thought this would be a nice little “summary” of what I hear from my domainer friends, clients and associates on what they would like to see in the year 2010:
1) No runaway prices on domain registrations. Currently, it seems ICANN is going against the current recession, allowing Verisign to raise prices on .com extensions. Hey, somebody has to be able to abuse the system!
2) Transparency in PPC services, starting with the sources (Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc). This is the “talking to a wall” segment.
3) More information from domain blog experts on all the monetization options available for their domains, including myself
4) When to sell, when to build out, when to drop, how to avoid buying a TMer domain, when does a hyphen work, etc.
5) Seeing themed domain auctions with some new faces. We’re all tired of auctions that cater only to other domainers looking for a good deal
6) More surveys and reports on which are the best registrars to buy domains, based on ease of transfer, registration fee pricing, bulk management, ease of use through total control feature sets, etc.
7) More focus on domains sold by the “little guys”, which make up 98% of all domain sales, instead of incessant vanity articles on the domain players who have already made it big (millions of $$$) by selling domains we all know would sell for big bucks. What can domainers learn from these guys we all wish to be like? Answer: “You should have been there in 2000 with $100k in your bank account” and “This industry is easy when you come in with lots of money first”.
The majority of domain investors don’t have domains that fit the “six figure and up category”, and we already know all the success stories, projects, partnerships, ad nauseum, etc. of those lucky/smart 25 domainers who own the most domains, or the best domains. Let’s focus more on the new and old domainers who survive comfortably without any fanfare by selling domains for $1000 or less, every week. (I’m curious about my friend Rob Sequin’s rise in the industry). Let’s provide data on domains sold from $300 and up (thousands of these deals happen every month), show the hard working domain site builders (just watch Elliot go!), list the end user companies “getting it”, and how we can help more end user companies become educated on the value of domains in their business. List as many “end user” businesses buying generic prodservs domains as we can, and provide this info to use to anyone contacting an end user potential buyer to prove the value of domain names.
8 ) Reports on content building websites, their ease of use, the viability of the content, ROI, simplicity of adding custom content, SEO education, notification on when their “content site” has been indexed by any SE
These are but a few of the most requested “wants” I hear. If you have any to add, now’s your chance. If you identify yourself, I will allow a linkback to your website in your comment.
I admit I have failed in writing more helpful articles for new domainers, so I will try to provide information along these lines, and include relevant points added by those commenting here.
Happy domaining!
Stephen Douglas
9 Responses to “WHAT DOMAINERS WANT – ADD YOURS”
By Ms Domainer on Jan 30, 2010
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Good wish list.
I would like to add some other wishes:
1. To see the industry cleaned up and to see blatant cyber- and typosquatters be seriously punished (via their pocketbooks) and even jailed.
2. To see enforcement of domain warehousing by registrars by levying HUGE fines when they are caught creating shell companies for their dishonest deeds.
3. To see the auction houses highly legislated and seriously fined when shill bidders like halvarez are uncovered.
4. To be able to attend a domaining conference without worrying whether I’ll be running into one of the painted girls (who look barely legal) sponsored by Chef Patrick or Bido. In other words, I would want to work hard at conferences and learn, not party with teenyboppers, although, I’m not opposed to parties, a little booze, and get togethers, and I’m not opposed to having fun. However, my idea of fun does not involve cavorting with someone of the opposite sex, while my spouse sits at home.
5. To see some of the sleazy registrars who take money from their customers and don’t pay ICANN shut down, long before domainers have lost their life savings.
6. I would like to see other registrars, who operate barely inside the line, like Yahoo! and 1&1, to be fined for their dubious practices and given shutdown warnings if they don’t desist in harassing their customers.
In short, I love domaining, but I’m ashamed to tell people what I do because some of my colleagues have more money than common sense and ethics, and, therefore, by association, it makes me and others like me who just want to make an honest dollar look bad.
Sigh. It’s unrealistic, I know.
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By David Rosenbaum on Jan 30, 2010
Nice post. My only comment is that VRSN has had the right to raise reg fees by 7% annually since 1994 but only started to do so over the last 2 years. Not such a bad deal for domainers when you think about it.
By admin on Jan 30, 2010
@ D-Rose
Thanks, and I agree that this is the cheapest business model to turn a profit if you know what domains to buy, so what’s a measly 7% rise in costs for something under $10? It wouldn’t be an issue, in truth, if a lot of domainers with 1000+ domains weren’t “hedging” on the names they’re not sure have value, in one way or another. You know as well, if those domains aren’t monetized, it’s headscratching time every year at renewal. Hey, why am I explaining stuff you already know, wildman! LOL. Thanks bro
By admin on Jan 30, 2010
Very nice list of suggestions, Missy D. I don’t see why most of your ideas cannot be implemented within a year or two. Here’s the secret… get the business sector actively engaged and interested in investing in domains as end users. Those changes you speak of will occur faster than a bee heading to a daisy patch. heh
By Rashid Mahmood on Jan 30, 2010
“Most of these domains suck unless you are and enduser with a viable biz idea. These prices are 150 years Rev.
thank god their are still alot of suckers out there. Keyholders.com was listed on Sedo during the auction with a bin of $999. LOL
By admin on Jan 30, 2010
@Rashid,
Which domains are you talking about that “suck”? Keyholders? Bin of $999 is laughable to you? I don’t even know the owner, but I did a quick review of the “rev” potential of this very common english name “Key Holders” – Google results in quotes 304,000 pages with 11 adsense ads on the results. “Keyholders” as one word, Google results 105,000 pages with 8 adsense ads. I think you better break out your wallet, Rashid, and pick up that domain for only $999. That’s a build out for an easy product to sell CPA’s through, or even dropship fulfillments.
Additionally, did you really use a “multiple” as your only factor for determining the value of a domain? Listen closely, I think 2007 domaining strategy wants you to come back.
By whoknows on Jan 31, 2010
If you want more focus on the “average” domainers, I have an idea that can be used for this. I can put it together in a couple of days and invite domainers to join. I will get it done this week and leave you know by email.
XXXXXX Stephen Douglas Responds:
Bro, why don’t you just identify yourself? I am posting your comment as an example of “IF YOU DON’T ID YOURSELF, THEN YOU’RE NOT WORTH LISTENING TO.”
So don’t bother writing back here unless you stand up like a man/woman of respect, and let us know who you are. Fair enough, yes?
By Chirag on May 28, 2010
These are but a few of the most requested “wants” I hear. If you have any to add, now’s your chance. If you identify yourself, I will allow a linkback to your website in your comment.
XXXXXX Stephen Douglas Responds:
HI Chirag,
Nice call on asking your respondents to “identify themselves”. This give your blog/website more credibility when you have solid names from people who know what they’re talking about, and if they don’t, at least want to reach that threshold by identifying themselves for future reference. Good move.