Streak of dead transactions

[polyromcom]

Not sure if this is a trend, but have had 2 DAN transactions and 1 domainagent transaction die on the vine after agreeing to price in the last month. Feels like this is odd. Not sure if it's a streak of bad luck or if hackers are looking for vulnerabilities to take domains? Anyway, thought i would mention it...

 

[DanSanchez]

Hi Dan, Thanks for the feedback and your tip on finding gmail ownership is real beneficial. With that said, you seem to be missing an important point in this thread and my earlier posts and what others are also saying. A big reason for buyers going silent, walking away is they are inclined to buy another domain because GD and everyone else is offering lots of alternative names, and at a much lower cost.

EPIK is also doing it. For example, I looked for my domain and EPIK says it's listed for-sale with dozens of alternative names recommended by EPIK on that page, including legacy reg fees, new tlds and others registered for sale, names like dot-org etc. (See Below)

It is not easy selling a name for 1k or more when the inquirer can quickly buy the exact same name in .xyz for less than $1 or many others all under $50. Making it even more disturbing and negative is the buyer may not have even been aware of all those other options until seeing your page.

What with GD DAN EPIK and most everyone else tempting a buyer I sent there via my link, landing page or a type-in (and my hard work) to NOT buy my name and purchase a lower price option makes no sense to me and taking away my inquiry is not a good business practice.

The various registrars, platforms and providers are in-effect 'stealing' MY customer so he ends up becoming YOUR customer and benefits you or another seller. It makes no sense to me and is ridiculous. It's a reason I am rethinking my strategy. It's also a reason for marking 1,000 of my 1,350 domains as non-auto renew

example.com My Name
and next in actual order on your list:
example.xyz 0.79c
example.org $40
example.cloud $9.99
example.life $2.49
example.life $2.99
example.world $2.49
eample.space $41.25
examle.site $34.95
example.store and numerous others.

I see what you mean, but that is not why you are losing deals. The buyers you want to work with and truly want the best domain, assuming it is the one you have, would never register an alternative. They came from your domain to see if it was available for sale. Most end users won't use WHOIS or a marketplace to find the domain. If they do, they liked your name among others.

The alternative competitors are just not on the same page if you have a good .com asset. This means you have two choices, buy out every alternative extension, or drop your prices to appeal to that type of customer. Do you really think it's worth making x2 on your reg fee in order to close every sale? That makes no sense to me personally. Your reasoning as to why you are not able to get the buyer to the buying table is flawed. Your price is your price the domain is one of a kind. Stick to it.

Competition is fierce, I don't disagree. With that fact in mind you have no other choice but adapt and improve. The domains you have are either not better than the comparable alternatives, or you rushed to accept a low-ball and the buyer is second guessing their offer (it is their right to do so.) Selling is mostly an emotional business, the rational portion of the decision often involves a third party decision maker that could care less about the price.

Lastly, comparing Epik landers to how Godaddy and DAN handle landers is not accurate. Each landing page is unique to your domain, optimized to look industry-accurate (up to you), and indexed with an SSL certificate.

You should be rethinking your strategy into improving your processes to sell more effectively. Learn to negotiate, read the customer, and research who they actually are. Trust me, this is not an easy step to take because we LOVE seeing a nice 4-5 figure offer along a company name, phone, and matching IP. But this is not the case in 95% of the inquiries. My best suggestion is to focus inward, build your own network if you feel it will shift your advantages over lesser quality extensions, but before you do that I suggest you ask yourself, is this a distraction from your lack of closing/sales ability?

 

[Ostrados]

Most folks (90%) are running at a deficit as it is, spending a few days learning to code, design, and deploy your own landing pages with hundreds of thousands of domains is not feasible. I ran my own site, used Bodis as backup, and had most of my own landing pages. The impact was much less than today. Went from 1-3 inquiries a week to 1-5 inquiries a day. Some days may be zero as usual regardless. But the smartest and most efficient domainers know how to utilize the best tools available to them at the lowest output of energy, time, and capital.

Setting nameservers for thousands of domains is simple, the transition took me about a week and I had every lander optimized at Epik. Compare that to almost a year of work to make my own network? It's just not the same. My advise is to take the time to learn the Epik backend like you would know your own site, utilize it to it's fullest potential, and try to focus on what matters most. CLOSING SALES.

Dan allows to list domains from any registrars, Epik landers require the domain to be registered with Epik! for peace of mind I will stay wity Dan because of that, I dont like to list part of my domains at Dan and part at Epik I prefer to manage all my domain landers from one platform.

 

[DanSanchez]

Dan allows to list domains from any registrars, Epik landers require the domain to be registered with Epik! for peace of mind I will stay wity Dan because of that, I dont like to list part of my domains at Dan and part at Epik I prefer to manage all my domain landers from one platform.

Epik does allow external domains, I still have 2500 names at Namebright that are all parked at Epik while I transfer them. If you (or anyone for that matter) wants to park external domains at Epik please send me your account username or email.

The process will be easier once we run the latest backend update, but for now your account needs to be manually approved.

 

[Ostrados]

Epik does allow external domains, I still have 2500 names at Namebright that are all parked at Epik while I transfer them. If you (or anyone for that matter) wants to park external domains at Epik please send me your account username or email.

The process will be easier once we run the latest backend update, but for now your account needs to be manually approved.

When it becomes officially available service I may try it, but thanks anyway for informing me about it.

 

[Ostrados]

I am not sure if there is a bug in system or you are reading it wrong but essentially none of these are really available, and in most registries if they were they would be high premium. I checked .life, .world, .live, .space and .site and none are available. It would be extremely rare to find a common word available for hand reg in any new extension. I would own many more new gTLDs if they were! Sometimes when a TLD is first released you can find gems, but essentially never after a few years. Even drops are readily picked up by someone.
Bob

Not sure where you are seeing any of these as available at Epik. They all show as unavailable and you can pay $199 to sign up to watch if they ever do become available.

He meant "example" as placeholder not real domain name

 

[Mister Funsky]

Epik does allow external domains

I've got names regged at daddy pointed to Epik and those at Uni and NSilo will likely be pointed there (at least some of them) next year. All I had to do is ask Epik support and they made it possible (btw, I understand why it is on a per inquiry basis).

However, I have decided that names that are still making me money via PPC will not be pointed to Epik as the lander that comes up when a link is clicked takes the user to a 'marketplace' page rather than the ssl landers. With those names I will begin to use the Voodoo inquiry page that is available. If/when I can forward my ppc parked names to the Epik ssl landers I will switch back.

Also, the optional non coms are part of the reason sales are down a bit, but in time the pendulum will swing back. Someone that wanted a com I had come back to the table recently after 3 years of using a non com. We are still negotiating but after 3 years the price has gone up...just as I told them it would.

 

[DanSanchez]

However, I have decided that names that are still making me money via PPC will not be pointed to Epik as the lander that comes up when a link is clicked takes the user to a 'marketplace' page rather than the ssl landers. With those names I will begin to use the Voodoo inquiry page that is available. If/when I can forward my ppc parked names to the Epik ssl landers I will switch back.

Thanks for that, sent it to the dev team for consideration. There should be a solution if you want to keep the traffic outside the marketplace listing.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Thanks for that, sent it to the dev team for consideration. There should be a solution if you want to keep the traffic outside the marketplace listing.

That would be awesome if something could be done...either way, I appreciate you taking/bringing it to their attention.

 

[ResoluteDomains]

Not sure if this is a trend, but have had 2 DAN transactions and 1 domainagent transaction die on the vine after agreeing to price in the last month. Feels like this is odd. Not sure if it's a streak of bad luck or if hackers are looking for vulnerabilities to take domains? Anyway, thought i would mention it...

This has been the case for me for the nearly two decades that I've been selling domains. You could also add in there getting threatened and cursed at. I have taken it to being part of this business. Must develop a thick skin if one doesnt already have one. The right buyer will eventually arrive and it will be like a hot knife going through butter.

 

[Bertrell]

I really don't understand why you guys (and gals) don't use your own landers.

With a bit of creativity you get better, cleaner designs than any dan, sedo, afternic, epik, etc. lander. You can also get a lander that is really good with mobile use - unlike most mentioned.
SSL is quite easy to automate and you can get hosting on Google Compute for basically peanuts.

OK - at this time, IMO, epik has the best lander but what happens if they take a decision you don't like (such as to offer alternate suggestions)? You like setting the nameservers for thousands of domains? ...possibly manually for some.

Here's an example for my lander:
maplerepublic.com
It took me a few hours to code last year and I am not passionate at all about coding (read "I am a bad and slow coder").

Believe me - it's much better to use your own toys.

Speaking as someone who shares your philosophy (and who is also "a bad and slow coder"), I applaud your landers.

 

[Samer]

The market is shifting, and for good reason.

It's like in cars. Ordinary people would buy a Honda, but not everyone would buy a Rolls Royce.

.COMs are the Rolls Royce of domains. They are more expensive, and you can't really lower the price, it's not sane - as the supply is low. It's diamonds, why would you sell them for ruby price.

Such domains will always be in demand, but for the more upscale customers. Everyday people will buy .xyz or whatever because they DO NOT NEED .COM.

But who does NEED .coms?

Well, in most cases companies with enough cash and brand awareness to think globally and go for the best premium domain. Big firms will always aim for .com but they also usually buy out other extensions. Or, at least, someone starting with a budget, thinking that way, and able/willing to pay up.

So there's time for a new strategy, to adapt to these changes. As I'm writing this, I'm also rethinking mine.

Hold on to your best .COMs. Hold on for years if necessary. Since the rate of sales is like 1%, you'll need 100 years to sell'em all (not gonna happen). But make sure you ditch everything else, everything that a brand would not aim for. If the name cannot be turned into a brand, you need to ditch it.

Lighten your portfolio and in this way you can sustain it. Sales will be rare but with a very good margin. Those top of the line domains will sell, eventually. The mid-value-ish ones, too risque.

That's what I see seasoned domainers doing mostly, nowadays. Time to follow suit.

i followed you because of this comment

You and me both, brother!! Feel exactly same. today i am happy to announce 100% .com proud.

Samer

 

[Bob Hawkes]

He meant "example" as placeholder not real domain name

Thanks. I was very impressed that he owned Example.com! I am a trusting person who take literally what I am told. Sorry for misunderstanding @namemarket.

I still think we may be wrong in thinking the main competition is new and alternative domains. Even if 15% of registered new extensions were in end use (I doubt it is nearly that high) there would still be about 30x as many active sites on Wix, not to mention the other alternatives.

15 years ago there was much more hype around the benefits of a domain name in the main tech and business press I think. People were scared to walk away because of that. Now when Google complete each search I think many buyers feel less urgency about getting a particular name.

I do agree that logically a lander should not take you to a page that highlights other names. I think there are various options that show only your name, but see why many prefer your own landers.

Bob

 

[twiki]

The buyers you want to work with and truly want the best domain, assuming it is the one you have, would never register an alternative. They came from your domain to see if it was available for sale.

This is what I've been saying... thank you for confirmation.

 

[Lox]

Now when Google complete each search I think many buyers feel less urgency about getting a particular name.

That's why companies rushing full speed ahead with the change ... rebranding / upgrading names ... for a new locate engine generation; voice & expression search.

 

[DomainVP]

Most folks (90%) are running at a deficit as it is, spending a few days learning to code, design, and deploy your own landing pages with hundreds of thousands of domains is not feasible. I ran my own site, used Bodis as backup, and had most of my own landing pages. The impact was much less than today. Went from 1-3 inquiries a week to 1-5 inquiries a day. Some days may be zero as usual regardless. But the smartest and most efficient domainers know how to utilize the best tools available to them at the lowest output of energy, time, and capital.

Setting nameservers for thousands of domains is simple, the transition took me about a week and I had every lander optimized at Epik. Compare that to almost a year of work to make my own network? It's just not the same. My advise is to take the time to learn the Epik backend like you would know your own site, utilize it to it's fullest potential, and try to focus on what matters most. CLOSING SALES.

I agree with ALL of this.

Having your own landers is the way to go.

I am a developer. I use php, perl, js, and automation scripts to setup my landers and domains to use privacy and SSL.

To update a lander page across hundreds of domains takes me seconds. I can also set up a unique eMail address for every domain through automated processes, so I can communicate with buyers from [email protected] so it is extremely professional.

It's not a great selling point to have a portfolio.

End users see that and just think that you are a 'domain hoarder' or a 'squatter', instead of being an owner of an individually valuable property. This may be why DAN seems to have a follow-through problem.

Marketplaces are great to have your domain seen for portfolios with generic brandable randomness. However, if you have a great niche specific domains you might just want to make your own landers in order to control your own destiny.

No fees.
Handle your own negotiations.
Get paid how you want to get paid.

 

[xynames]

Comparisons of various landing pages YOUR OWN Afternic Sedo Efty Uniregistry Epik UNDeveloped (DAN)
https://www.namepros.com/threads/comparisons-of-various-landing-pages-your-own-afternic-sedo-efty-uniregistry-epik-undeveloped-dan.1145225/

 

[ResoluteDomains]

... It's not a great selling point to have a portfolio....

End users see that and just think that you are a 'domain hoarder' or a 'squatter', instead of being an owner of an individually valuable property. .

I am tending to agree with this stance more and more lately.

 

[xynames]

Nah. That particular point of his is ridiculous.

Indeed one of my inquirers recently mused that he wished he had had the foresight to accumulate all the domains I hold or domains like them.

But I thanked DomainVP for the rest of his post.

 

[manpreet]

Not sure if this is a trend, but have had 2 DAN transactions and 1 domainagent transaction die on the vine after agreeing to price in the last month. Feels like this is odd. Not sure if it's a streak of bad luck or if hackers are looking for vulnerabilities to take domains? Anyway, thought i would mention it...

Happened few times on Dan, but I think you should think this way - maybe your domain deserves more!

 

[Ostrados]

To update a lander page across hundreds of domains takes me seconds. I can also set up a unique eMail address for every domain through automated processes, so I can communicate with buyers from [email protected] so it is extremely professional.

How to do this? I asked exactly about that in this thread:
https://www.namepros.com/threads/how-to-outbound-using-domain-email-address.1169023/

 

[Jv1999]

people have been saying that their numbers have dropped. I've had the same dead deals in the last few months.

I think it's a time of testing. R we investorz? Or r we short-term flipperz? During bear, it's all about renewing and hodl.

But when crypto goes up, domains go up too. BTC went from 3k to now 7.6k since its fall... I believe btc will rise some more and by the time the snow thaws and we're wearing shorts again, we'll see a pick up in our sailz.....

...as long as you didn't drop your hodlings.

 

[Ja Kai]

Many on Namepros dislike Afternic fast transfer. This thread is precisely why I LOVE fast transfer. MANY MANY MANY domain purchases are impulse buys - purchases that people will not make once they sleep on it. With Fast Transfer they pay up front, receive the domain, and even if they have seconds thoughts, it's TOO LATE.

 

[ThatNameGuy]

In the last 4 months, I've had more 'buyers' and deals fall through than the last 4 years combined. Maybe the end is near.

ADD: The inquiries came through several different marketplaces. For the reason you describe, I never respond to inquiries with any email address that has anything to do with registration or payment providers. I 'burn' that email address about every 6 months or so out of habit.

"Maybe the end is near" ....and I'm ready for the alternative 9Time

 

[ThatNameGuy]

That is very interesting, and concerning, if indeed there is, for whatever reason, a softening of demand so that more potential buyers walk away rather than negotiate.

They do have more domain choices, as well as more non-domain choices for those who consider social media sites or Wix etc. on shared domains.

Bob

More often than not, there's an equal or better alternative that's cheaper. Thus, the end of this business model is near, and Verisign was forecasting it a year ago.

 

[Soofi]

What has this got to do with the high percentage of non payers on DAN?

Definitely something to do with their poor platform which is not really helpful for endusers in making payments or closing domain deals. I might sound like a broken record, but I had to mention this one here

Refer: https://www.namepros.com/threads/domain-buyers-payment-issues-with-dan-com.1161584/

There's no market shift as such, as being claimed by several members because all other domain name marketplaces are selling 6-7 figure worth of domain names (.COM majorly) each week and sharing/reporting their sales like a boss!

Not just that, Namepros Report Completed Sales Thread is ringing registers for most domainers as well.