strategy This is how I price my hand-registered domain names

[infosec3]

This is how I price my hand-registered domain names

Some people ask how I manage to sell so many hand-registered domain names. Before I answer that question, it would be convenient to answer this one: How many hand-registered names do I sell per every ten names I register? Generally, I sell between three and four names out of ten within the first two weeks of registration, but result vary depending on the month and hours dedicated to end-user search. So, if I buy ten names, about three of those will sell within two weeks. Some may sell later. Some others will never sell.

Everything considered, the business is consistently profitable, because hand-registration is not that expensive. The two key factors are registering the right names and pricing them correctly. As my sales report indicate, I focus on low value geo names or names that refer to a specific product or service within a given city, state or region. After doing this for some time, I have now a clear idea of which keywords sell quickly and which don’t, as well as which cities might mean hot sales.

My focus on this post is not keywords, but pricing. This is a pattern I have seen often enough in domain investors who attempt to sell hand-registered names. A domain investor registers a few decent names (ex. MiamiGoldBuyer.com, PhoenixDoors.com, etc.) and then contacts potential buyers attempting to sell each name for $1,500. He receives either a negative response or no response at all and then the domain investor arrives at the conclusion that this doesn’t work.

Have in mind that in my perspective the two names listed above are decent in the sense that you can easily flip them for a few hundred dollars. Forget keyword search, forget age, and forget CPC. Those rules do not apply to this particular game. The fact is that both MiamiGoldBuyer.com and PhoenixDoors.com have a list of small business owners who would like to own them. That is all that matters.

But, going back to prices. The key to flipping hand-registered geo names quickly is to price them in a way that it would be hard for end-users to reject. In other words, to speak the language of small business owners when it comes to pricing. Let me illustrate it this way. Now that I am also into numeric names, if you try to sell 76888.com to me for $5000, there is no way I could buy that name from you. However, if you ask for $100, that is an offer I can’t reject. So, I will buy it immediately.

The point is that when it comes to pricing, there is a melting point. You have to present the hand-registered names at a price that becomes hard to reject in the eye of end-users. You must find the balance between profit and expedited sales. In my opinion, for the two examples I gave (MiamiGoldBuyer.com and PhoenixDoors.com), the balanced and appropriate price tag is $250-$500.

Again, this is if you really want sales to happen. If you plan to sit on the names and ask for $1500, that is fine. But I doubt you will sell them before renewing them for a few years. And, most certainly, they will never sell. So the question is $400 now or $1500 never.

 

[paul79]

preach

 

[infosec3]

One thing I disagree with you on is search volume. I have sold a domain with only 10 or 20 searches per month. But if absolutely no one is searching the term then I don't see why an end user would want it. I don't even wanna buy it for 8$ when there's no searches

I don't think we really disagree. I agree with you that search volume is important. My point really is that there are many cases in which the most important thing, when it comes to hand-registered names, is how many potential buyers you find.

For example, if you find a name that has a 10 or 0 search volume, but when you go to Google and search the keywords you find 20 or 30 business related to that geo name, you should forget about the search volume aspect.

 

[briguy]

Since a lot of GEO-keywords are registered in (dot)com..do you think your strategy will work in ccTLD (.ca/.us/etc) @infosec

 

[Galleshem]

Since a lot of GEO-keywords are registered in (dot)com..do you think your strategy will work in ccTLD (.ca/.us/etc) @infosec

I think it really depends on the place itself. I don't think it will work with .us because almost everyone prefer .com over .us there, however in the UK, almost everyone choose .co.uk over .com for their website so you will probably have more success there.

 

[cdnbigd]

The potential buyers I contact generally (if not always) already have a Website. I never contact other domain investors.

If they already have a website, I'm sure you mention in your email to them why they would want another domain name? The benefits it will bring them? I would think most small biz would just see this as someone trying to sell them a second "website" and think why would I do that...

Mind sharing your email template? Thanks!

 

[cdnbigd]

Good to know someone have experience in selling handreg domains quickly.
I was thinking the same way to reg some geo domains maybe in range 5 domains. Actually i dont like geo domain because there a less commercial value and need specific buyer. Thats why we need to price that domains for less than $500. So you're correct.
I will start do reg geo domain in next month but not many and hoping those sold to keep my bills paid.

Ok so this is my plan..

Regging: 5 domains each month
$9 x 5 = $45 invested
Pricing: $300 each(depends on quality)
Emailing: 10 email each domain
Target: 3 end user reply for each domain
Sold: 2 domain each month
Profit: $600 - $45 = $555

I've been doing this for quite a while and my ratio is about 1 out of 10 geo's sell. I'm asking for around $250 - $500 too. I also end up creating a nice looking landing page for each geo domain I try to sell and email them from myname@namei'mtryingtosell.com. I end up emailing about 50+ potential buyers per domain.

I'm at the point where I'm thinking of stopping because it takes me from 3 - 6 hours per domain to prep, find buyers and email them all.

$9 x 10 domains = $90 invested
Sell at $300
Emailed: ~50 buyers each domain
Sold: 1 domain
Profit: $210
Time took: 40 - 60 hours
Hourly Wage = $3 - $5. lol

 

[MrBernstein]

where do you advertise them? Auctions?

 

[cdnbigd]

where do you advertise them? Auctions?

I use a combo of SpyFu (to find advertisers bidding on that geo keyword phrase) and Google to come up with a list of websites which are relevant to the name I'm selling. I'll then use whois and whoisology IF there's not an email on their website.

I craft up an email template and email each potential buyer individually. So it's all pure email outreach. I don't advertise on marketplaces or auctions really.

 

[NetworkPearl]

If it is under $500, yes, I do include price.

H

Good to know someone have experience in selling handreg domains quickly.
I was thinking the same way to reg some geo domains maybe in range 5 domains. Actually i dont like geo domain because there a less commercial value and need specific buyer. Thats why we need to price that domains for less than $500. So you're correct.
I will start do reg geo domain in next month but not many and hoping those sold to keep my bills paid.

Ok so this is my plan..

Regging: 5 domains each month
$9 x 5 = $45 invested
Pricing: $300 each(depends on quality)
Emailing: 10 email each domain
Target: 3 end user reply for each domain
Sold: 2 domain each month
Profit: $600 - $45 = $555

what kind of domains do you sell to a company?

 

[Mkcoy]

What does "hand registered" mean?

 

[DKN]

What does "hand registered" mean?

Hand register means "Process of registering a domain name by yourself when a domain available to register at registration fee". (It may be expired domain or fresh registration i.e. "Never registered before")

If you buy a name from domain forums, aftermarkets (Flippa, Godaddy etc) or private acquisition then it will be consider as aftermarket purchase.

 

[NetworkPearl]

I use a combo of SpyFu (to find advertisers bidding on that geo keyword phrase) and Google to come up with a list of websites which are relevant to the name I'm selling. I'll then use whois and whoisology IF there's not an email on their website.

I craft up an email template and email each potential buyer individually. So it's all pure email outreach. I don't advertise on marketplaces or auctions really.

by geo you mean gtld's like .uk?

 

[cdnbigd]

by geo you mean gtld's like .uk?

In my case, when I talk about "geo's", it's usually a domain name with a geographical location in it (Vancouver, Boston, London etc..) in addition to a service (ie. Real Estate). BostonRealEstate.com would be a geo+service domain.

 

[infosec3]

In my case, when I talk about "geo's", it's usually a domain name with a geographical location in it (Vancouver, Boston, London etc..) in addition to a service (ie. Real Estate). BostonRealEstate.com would be a geo+service domain.

That is correct.

City+Product
City+Service
State+Product
State+Service
Service+City
Product+City

Etc.

 

[Keith DeBoer]

@infosec3 I know you have a system that you repeat and its profitable for you. So what is the flaw in the not profitable system that @cdnbigd is using? Is he taking too much time for research? Is his sell through rate too low? Just curious what insights you have for him or us? Thanks!

 

[cdnbigd]

@infosec3 I know you have a system that you repeat and its profitable for you. So what is the flaw in the not profitable system that @cdnbigd is using? Is he taking too much time for research? Is his sell through rate too low? Just curious what insights you have for him or us? Thanks!

Thanks for bringing this up, Keith. I obviously would like to know as well. lol

I do take a ton of time to create a nice looking wordpress landing page for each of the geo's i try to sell. I combine that with an associated email account. If anything, I thought those extra efforts would help me sell my names. I've even had some highly competitive names in huge populated areas like CapeTown (several million), LA, New York etc.. And I reach out to dozens of people. As I've all pretty much previously mentioned.

 

[infosec3]

@infosec3 I know you have a system that you repeat and its profitable for you. So what is the flaw in the not profitable system that @cdnbigd is using? Is he taking too much time for research? Is his sell through rate too low? Just curious what insights you have for him or us? Thanks!

This would be hard for me to say, because there are many things I do not know about his system, for example:

1. Which names is he trying to sell?
2. Where does he live?
3. In which cities is he concentrating?
4. What does he tell end-users?
5. Does he operate as a company or individal?
6. If he is selling for $300 and the end-user offers $200, does he accept or reject the offer?
7. What email program or service is he using?
8. Can end-users pick up the phone and speak to him right away in response to an email?

And I stop here because there are too many factors.

In addition to the many sales I have reported on the sales section here on NP, you can download, for free, my most recent sales report at the link below. This can give you an idea of the type of names I sell and on what cities I focus.

Filesville.com

Thanks

 

[Keith DeBoer]

Thanks!

 

[cdnbigd]

This would be hard for me to say, because there are many things I do not know about his system, for example:

1. Which names is he trying to sell?
2. Where does he live?
3. In which cities is he concentrating?
4. What does he tell end-users?
5. Does he operate as a company or individal?
6. If he is selling for $300 and the end-user offers $200, does he accept or reject the offer?
7. What email program of service is he using?
8. Can end-users pick up the phone and speak to him right away in response to an email?

And I stop here because there are too many factors.

In addition to the many sales I have reported on the sales section here on NP, you can dowload, for free, my most recent sales report at the link below. This can give you an idea of the type of names I sell and on what cities I focus.

Filesville.com

Thanks

Thanks @infosec3. Yes, I agree it's difficult to compare 2 different domainers due to the large number of factors. Just to give people a comparison though, I'll answer your sampling of factors.

1. I've tried to sell names such as:
city+massage (incl. Capetown)
city+chiropractor
city+kickboxing (incl. LA/Los Angeles)
city+midwife/midwives
city+pilates
city+gynecologist
city+locksmith
and so on..

2. I live in Victoria BC

3. I don't concentrate on any specific cities. I've tried to sell to many different cities all over the US (sometimes in Canada as well)

4. I try to keep it short but I do include a few bullet points of benefits the domain will give the business owner. Sometimes I say it's "for a reasonable price" while other times I say the first person to offer $250 takes it.

5. I always reach out to potential buyers as [email protected]. I don't say if I'm a company or an individual.

6. I tend to accept any offer +/- $50 with what I'm asking for.

7. I'm using Gmail but "sending as" the domain name hosted via Hostgator.

8. Yes, people can call me directly and have in the past. I make sure to include my full contact info on the outgoing emails.

 

[infosec3]

Good to know. Just a few things.

I operate as a company, even with an 888 number. My signature includes comany name, address, 888 number, cell phone and email is my company's email. I use MS Outlook.
That to me is very relevant. Credibility and trust are extremely important.


For some reason, there are cities that hav never worked for me:

NewYork (have sold only one NY name)
Los Angeles
Fresno
Sacramento

And some others...

 

[cdnbigd]

I just had a look at those 10 or 11 geo names you mentioned in your slideshow vid @infosec3. Maybe it's just me but the types of names I shared seem to have a much higher competition and I would think they would have more chances of getting sales.

So that leaves me confused as to what I could be doing wrong. I'm pretty sure I'm going above & beyond when it comes to geo+service domaining in all aspects and asking for a reasonable & minimal price to go on top of that.

How many end users do you normally find and email on avg per domain? How long on avg does it take you?

Mind sharing with us how the email outreach sounded and went with a couple specific domains you sold such as:
- PlumberBerkeley.com
- CalgaryDentures.com

Curious to see what you said in the email since that's probably the main thing which would be different between your strategy and mine.

In my email signature, I have my full name & contact info.

Thanks

 

[infosec3]

Hi,

I think I am going to leave it here. I have already shared too much on a public thread. Feel free to PM and we might continue the discussion. I might come back to the thread, but I will stop for now.

Thanks

 

[NetworkPearl]

In my case, when I talk about "geo's", it's usually a domain name with a geographical location in it (Vancouver, Boston, London etc..) in addition to a service (ie. Real Estate). BostonRealEstate would be a geo+service domain.

Thanks but one last thing, do domains like these get free traffic from google ?nbecause i dont see any other advantage.

 

[cdnbigd]

Thanks but one last thing, do domains like these get free traffic from google ?nbecause i dont see any other advantage.

It's okay, ask away. I'm not going anywhere.

I wouldn't call it free traffic from Google. For small local businesses, these names do give them a boost on the SEO side (no matter what Google or other people say). If you have a look in the local search results, you will notice the majority of the listings or at least some on the 1st page will have names such as city+service or service+city. So yeah, big benefit there for small biz owners.

 

[Jen-Sin]

For small local businesses, these names do give them a boost on the SEO side (no matter what Google or other people say). If you have a look in the local search results, you will notice the majority of the listings or at least some on the 1st page will have names such as city+service or service+city. So yeah, big benefit there for small biz owners.

... provided that the site owner does SEO to have it ranked.

I have WrexhamHotels.com and it's ranked nowhere in Google.