Today I feel excited to let my fellow domainers know that I have successfully sold my very first domain name! I think that makes me a domainer; right? It took almost a year since I restarted my learning of domaining, and I don't have words to explain the excitement and happiness I am going through right now!
In this post, I am going to share a couple of insights about how it all started and how I successfully sold my first domain name. I will also try to share my mistakes and learning experiences, as well.
How and when it all started
It all started back in 2009 when I stumbled upon Rick's blog (aka The Domain King). I was thrilled that domains can be sold for millions of dollars. I started digging deeper into the domain buying and selling game, and if I remember it correctly, I purchased my first 20+ domains after two months. Of course, 90% of those domains were "pigeon shit" domains, as Rick would say, and I don't have them anymore. I didn't quit though.
Then I discovered DomainSherpa. I listened to interviews of Rick, Adam, and other successful domainers, and it really helped me in buying more (and much better) domains. Everything was going okay, but I was not progressing in domaining. I think this was mainly because I was more focused on my primary job as an Internet Marketer.
Last year in August, when Adam announced a free domaining course on his Facebook group, I jumped right in. Keeping it short, I learned a lot and domain reviews are the best. I then re-initiated my domaining goals and started to work based on what I had learned so far.
I still buy domains but now I have a plan and a vision for every domain that I buy.
My first domain name—SOLD
Now I'll come to the juicy part of this post. For some reason I can't disclose all the details, but I will try my best to provide as much as possible about the domain sale. I hope you understand.
The domain was related to one of the all-time hottest industries (e.g., vacations, tourism, hotels, airports). It was sold through BrandBucket. I hand-registered the domain early in May this year for $2.17 using a GoDaddy coupon (RIP, good ol' coupons), and it was listed on BrandBucket in the first week of July. It was a two-word brandable generic domain name without any made-up words.
The part I like most (after the selling part) is that luckily the domain was sold for exactly what I had planned for my first domain sale: a four-figure sale, sold for just over $2,000.
Mistakes I have made
Mistake: In the beginning, just like any other newbie domainer, I wasted money on buying useless domain names.
Lesson: Newbies are going to buy bad domains in the beginning, but the goal is to not waste too much money on them. I am happy that I didn't waste a huge amount of money on buying bad domains.
Mistake: My initial domain purchases were mostly made-up words, two-word generics, and 5-letter domains. Believe me, 90% of them sucked big time.
Lesson: I realized soon that I should have bought keyword-based domains: logical brandables, small business domains, etc.
Mistake: Instead of focusing on liquid domains, 95% of my portfolio still represents only long-term investments. Domains that are related to future technology, e.g., drones.
Lesson: I have now started to build a portfolio mixed with liquid and long-term domain names because I realized that I need a reasonable sale every month to keep the game going and to enjoy it.
What's next for me
Since I now have a fair idea of what sells and the types of domains I should be buying, I am going to focus mainly on buying liquid domains.
If there's one thing I like about being in the online marketing niche (I'm an Internet Marketer by profession), it's working with websites (developing and marketing them). I am planning to develop a select number of domains every two-three months for the sole purpose of flipping them in the future. The types of sites I'll be developing will mostly be lead generation and resource based (authority) websites.
I am already in the phase of finalizing a domain marketplace site. The plan is to promote the site mainly using outbound marketing techniques.
Pieces of advice for newbie domainers
Last but not least, a big thanks to those whom I have learned from in the domain industry. And of course, thanks to BrandBucket for accepting, listing, and then making the domain sale possible.
I hope everyone here is enjoying domaining. I know I am. I also hope newbies are learning great stuff on NamePros. Keep enjoying and learning the domain game, mates.
Cheers!
In this post, I am going to share a couple of insights about how it all started and how I successfully sold my first domain name. I will also try to share my mistakes and learning experiences, as well.
How and when it all started
It all started back in 2009 when I stumbled upon Rick's blog (aka The Domain King). I was thrilled that domains can be sold for millions of dollars. I started digging deeper into the domain buying and selling game, and if I remember it correctly, I purchased my first 20+ domains after two months. Of course, 90% of those domains were "pigeon shit" domains, as Rick would say, and I don't have them anymore. I didn't quit though.
Then I discovered DomainSherpa. I listened to interviews of Rick, Adam, and other successful domainers, and it really helped me in buying more (and much better) domains. Everything was going okay, but I was not progressing in domaining. I think this was mainly because I was more focused on my primary job as an Internet Marketer.
Last year in August, when Adam announced a free domaining course on his Facebook group, I jumped right in. Keeping it short, I learned a lot and domain reviews are the best. I then re-initiated my domaining goals and started to work based on what I had learned so far.
I still buy domains but now I have a plan and a vision for every domain that I buy.
My first domain name—SOLD
Now I'll come to the juicy part of this post. For some reason I can't disclose all the details, but I will try my best to provide as much as possible about the domain sale. I hope you understand.
The domain was related to one of the all-time hottest industries (e.g., vacations, tourism, hotels, airports). It was sold through BrandBucket. I hand-registered the domain early in May this year for $2.17 using a GoDaddy coupon (RIP, good ol' coupons), and it was listed on BrandBucket in the first week of July. It was a two-word brandable generic domain name without any made-up words.
The part I like most (after the selling part) is that luckily the domain was sold for exactly what I had planned for my first domain sale: a four-figure sale, sold for just over $2,000.
Mistakes I have made
Mistake: In the beginning, just like any other newbie domainer, I wasted money on buying useless domain names.
Lesson: Newbies are going to buy bad domains in the beginning, but the goal is to not waste too much money on them. I am happy that I didn't waste a huge amount of money on buying bad domains.
Mistake: My initial domain purchases were mostly made-up words, two-word generics, and 5-letter domains. Believe me, 90% of them sucked big time.
Lesson: I realized soon that I should have bought keyword-based domains: logical brandables, small business domains, etc.
Mistake: Instead of focusing on liquid domains, 95% of my portfolio still represents only long-term investments. Domains that are related to future technology, e.g., drones.
Lesson: I have now started to build a portfolio mixed with liquid and long-term domain names because I realized that I need a reasonable sale every month to keep the game going and to enjoy it.
What's next for me
Since I now have a fair idea of what sells and the types of domains I should be buying, I am going to focus mainly on buying liquid domains.
If there's one thing I like about being in the online marketing niche (I'm an Internet Marketer by profession), it's working with websites (developing and marketing them). I am planning to develop a select number of domains every two-three months for the sole purpose of flipping them in the future. The types of sites I'll be developing will mostly be lead generation and resource based (authority) websites.
I am already in the phase of finalizing a domain marketplace site. The plan is to promote the site mainly using outbound marketing techniques.
Pieces of advice for newbie domainers
- Never give up. Patience is crucial when it comes to selling domains.
- While buying domains, make sure you are not just buying a domain because you like it or think it is cool. Search and follow the market, metrics, and trends to buy the right domain name.
- Like any other experienced domainer would suggest, don't buy a bunch of mediocre domains. Instead, buy two or three quality domains to add to your portfolio.
- Don't listen to everyone. Make sure the person you are asking (to learn) things is capable and qualified to guide you to the right path.
- I remember a few fellow domainers suggested for me to start small. It's a good thing to start small but don't compromise on the quality of the domain names you own and don't be in a hurry to sell domains too fast.
- It is important to have your own domain portfolio site so the businesses you deal with take you seriously, as a business.
Last but not least, a big thanks to those whom I have learned from in the domain industry. And of course, thanks to BrandBucket for accepting, listing, and then making the domain sale possible.
- @Rick Schwartz - My inspiration when it comes to domaining.
- @Michael Cyger - If it wasn't for DomainSherpa, I would have never discovered interviews of successful domainers.
- @Adam Dicker - The guy is amazing when it comes to helping newbie domainers.
- NamePros.com - I was fortunate enough to find this community with so many exciting people to learn from. I also found a few domainers on NamePros who actually help new domainers in a big way.
I hope everyone here is enjoying domaining. I know I am. I also hope newbies are learning great stuff on NamePros. Keep enjoying and learning the domain game, mates.
Cheers!
