discuss Afternic results in steady downtrend - now flatlining for months

[Dot Com Realty]

Hey all. Been domaining for 17 years, and Afternic has been a solid platform all this time. Well, except for the last year. I had 17 sales in 2017, and 22 in 2018, but only 12 last year. And nothing whatsoever in the last four months. This is far beyond the standard deviation from normal. I have been re-investing 150% of profits into higher quality and more names - happy to run negative cash flow to build a solid portfolio. I expected about 30 to 40 sales last year - this would have been normal based on my experience. Most of my names are priced right at the Godaddy appraised price - which has always been the sweet spot. My premiums are more and I have no interest in selling them, and I don't factor in my premiums into my bread and butter sales.

Brandbucket has died. In my experience with them in the last 4 years, they do about .05% sell-through rate at best.
Brandpa - only been with them for a year and have 60 names - priced up to $75k max. Zero percent sell through rate.
Squadhelp - Extremely happy with them. Three sales - mid to high four figures with a 10% sell through rate.
Efty - great guys running this, but just get lots of spam. Hard to get traffic stats with the goog anal system
Dan.com - Seems a clean platform - moved 150 names over recently. Like the traffic stats.

Would welcome any comments, suggestions, experiences and stats to share.

 

[Silentptnr]

Although I think the afternic landers are ugly (and seem to be more steps to take for the buyer) I just finished moving most - about 600 of my names to ns3 and ns4 landers at afternic. You say ns4 and ns4? I am still not sure why ns4 or ns3 and ns4 are different. And, I thought when you do that that you can not do BIN. How do you do BIN with the ns3 and or ns4? I prefer BIN on 2500 and less. Thanks.

You can't show the BIN on ns3 and ns4. It will not show on the landing page or in the registration path.

You would need to use ns1 and ns2 for that I believe.

The only other drawback using ns3 and ns4 is that those landers don't track traffic. ns1 and ns2 do.

 

[Silentptnr]

The bin price will show up in the Afternic market though even if you are using ns3 and ns4.

 

[Dot Com Realty]

With a low-mid $xxx average acquisition price and 3400 domains, is no wonder that you sell for $xxxxxx worth annually. The main thing is to have the guts, the cash and the patience.

That works out to over a million in acquisitions. Yeah, a boatload of extra cash does help.

 

[Dot Com Realty]

Historically if someone searched for a .com domain and it was already registered but not listed, Godaddy would make suggestions of other aftermarket .com domains with the same keyword. In recent years they tend to push new tld with the same keyword but I believe there is still a tab to look for .com domains with the same keyword. Perhaps they have modified the algorithm to promote .com domains from their own inventory rather than domainer-held inventory.

Yeah, that would be interesting to know. Something happened with my last five months there - something dramatic like an algorithm change, promotion their own inventory, or throwing our listings down the line and putting all the crap extensions at the top. Something is amiss.

 

[Dot Com Realty]

Really glad I started this thread. Got some great feedback. Thanks all for the comments and insight. I moved about 600 names to ns3 and ns4 landers, and rechecking all my pricing now. Will share my results down the line.

 

[Silentptnr]

Really glad I started this thread. Got some great feedback. Thanks all for the comments and insight. I moved about 600 names to ns3 and ns4 landers, and rechecking all my pricing now. Will share my results down the line.

One important tip if noone else mentioned it.....Don't put in Floor Prices. If you leave that blank, a broker will contact you directly to negotiate. If you fill it in, they won't.

Meaning, if you set a bin at say $5000 and a floor at say $4000, if the buyer won't go above $3900, they won't call or email you. If you set that same bin and leave the floor blank, they will contact you and ask if you'll accept the $3900.

 

[ResoluteDomains]

Are many Afternic sales made from within their service (ie, someone searching for keywords within their service) as apposed to directly hitting landers or seeing the name at GoDaddy registration time as an alternative option?

 

[Recons.Com]

interesting. So it is not just me. Yeah, statistically, as you said. I have been doing this since 2005 and I know the normal variations and slow and good periods. Sometimes a slow period and then a bunch sell. But, my recent experience is like ten fold outside a standard deviation from normal - unprecedented. And looking for some answers and insights.

I was having at least 1 sale per month, often 3, until whatever they changed in December. Now, 1 sale in 100 days with them. While other venues are performing fine.

So, my bet is they have done some algorithm change that now might be suggesting NameFind (their own names) more, even though we were told GD is not in business of competing with other domain investors. That, apparently, must have changed under new management.

If the trend continues, I will reconsider my cooperation with them and move about 4500 names I already have with them to somewhere else, as Afternic was the main attraction to be with them. That, and my general principle to avoid service providers that compete with their clients.

 

[boker]

I was having at least 1 sale per month, often 3, until whatever they changed in December. Now, 1 sale in 100 days with them. While other venues are performing fine.

So, my bet is they have done some algorithm change that now might be suggesting NameFind (their own names) more, even though we were told GD is not in business of competing with other domain investors. That, apparently, must have changed under new management.

If the trend continues, I will reconsider my cooperation with them and move about 4500 names I already have with them to somewhere else, as Afternic was the main attraction to be with them. That, and my general principle to avoid service providers that compete with their clients.

Strange enough, around the same time I felt the downturn and there are a few others talking about the ame thing. An impact could have the new few hundred ngtlds which afternic is advertising, so combined with namefind, could have a real impact.

 

[Silentptnr]

Are many Afternic sales made from within their service (ie, someone searching for keywords within their service) as apposed to directly hitting landers or seeing the name at GoDaddy registration time as an alternative option?

I'm not sure but I did post this earlier....

When we talk about Afternic, we are talking the entire reseller network including its owner, GoDaddy.

What I am focused on is my results using ns4 and ns4 versus ns1 and ns2, using bin versus pur, and mostly, the sweet spot pricing.

I answer LOTS of price requests, but so far, it seems the names that sell most are $499-$1299.

Names that I quote $xx,xxx or even $xxx,xxx are a totally different thing.

As you may know, I hand register domains quite a bit. I have had good success with AN selling newly hand registered names even. I have one right now where the buyer had to wait 3 weeks because of 60 day transfer lock. It just finished.

Anyway, I have alot of thoughts. I would love to see more hard data on their buyer demographics, their sales including individual reseller sales data, their inventory breakdown, and their lander results.

It would help my build an appropriate portfolio. I dont mind when my "ultra premium priced" names dont sell because I usually have a specific end user in mind that I know would entertain my price, and could afford it.

 

[Silentptnr]

Strange enough, around the same time I felt the downturn and there are a few others talking about the ame thing. An impact could have the new few hundred ngtlds which afternic is advertising, so combined with namefind, could make a real impact.

I would be interested in knowing if you are using afternic nameservers and if so, which ones. If you are using their landers and are on ns1 and ns2, I would look to see if actual traffic was dead or not.

 

[boker]

I would be interested in knowing if you are using afternic nameservers and if so, which ones. If you are using their landers and are on ns1 and ns2, I would look to see if actual traffic was dead or not.

No and I would never use, as I found them worthless. If they would not have their dls network, I would have not listed with them at all. 90% of my sales at afternic are coming from their network, I have a few hundred names with smaller registrars(not in the premium network) and they are completely dead at afternic, but receiving inquiries through landing pages and whois. I've tried to lower the prices with huge discounts and didn't worked. Also, I have tried to find my names based on keywords, but with no success, it's close to impossible for somebody trying to find a particular keyword to land on your name at afternic.

 

[Silentptnr]

it's close to impossible for somebody trying to find a particular keyword to land on your name at afternic.

You mean when they search on Afternic? Yes, they have so many names, I'm not sure how their search works.

For example, if I search the word "Bill" I get certain results, but they don't include my domain Bill.im.

If I search Bill.im, I see my domain. Weird.

Their system definitely has many, many glitches. It just seems they sell names with frequency.

I'm actually surprised at how many glitches there are with their website.

 

[boker]

You mean when they search on Afternic?

Yes, if you are trying to find for example a smart+keyword.com, it's impossible to find it at afternic, godaddy and main registrars, part of the premium network. The same goes for some keyword+group.com and others. The main results will be some ngtls, some unreleted .com's at the end or some cctls at other registrars. The only bet will be for somebody looking for the exact smart+keyword, keyword+group combination or whatever, and that means that afternic are not so valuable anymorefor your domain. The only thing will be, that out of the 100+registrars, there are more chances for somebody to type your exact domain, otherwise afternic would have been worthless without the network.

 

[Silentptnr]

Yes, if you are trying to find for example a smart+keyword.com, it's impossible to find it at afternic, godaddy and main registrars, part of the premium network. The same goes for some keyword+group.com and others. The main results will be some ngtls, some unreleted .com's at the end or some cctls at other registrars. The only bet will be for somebody looking for the exact smart+keyword, keyword+group combination or whatever, and that means that afternic are not so valuable anymorefor your domain. The only thing will be, that out of the 100+registrars, there are more chances for somebody to type your exact domain, otherwise afternic would have been worthless without the network.

100% true. I really don't know how they sell so many names. I have no idea how people find these names that I sell on Afternic.

 

[boker]

100% true. I really don't know how they sell so many names. I have no idea how people find these names that I sell on Afternic.

Based on their results, I think that most of the times is easier to sell a better than average .co, .io, or .org than an average .com. The best bet will be the amount of users typing some names in godaddy seach(70-80%)and a few other main registrars.It's like an promoted landing page using the registrars.....without that probably everything will go down by 95%.

 

[Silentptnr]

Based on their results, I think that most of the times is easier to sell a better than average .co, .io, or .org than an average .com. The best bet will be the amount of users typing some names in godaddy seach(70-80%)and a few other main registrars.It's like an promoted landing page using the registrars.....without that probably everything will go down by 95%.

The domain prices seem to be all over the place. Each seller has their own pricing style but some of them are priced really, really high. I think that might sometimes be a turn off.

I think they need to carefully curate what is being shown on the homepage. Seems too random and doesn't always look good.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

One important tip if noone else mentioned it.....Don't put in Floor Prices. If you leave that blank, a broker will contact you directly to negotiate. If you fill it in, they won't.

Meaning, if you set a bin at say $5000 and a floor at say $4000, if the buyer won't go above $3900, they won't call or email you. If you set that same bin and leave the floor blank, they will contact you and ask if you'll accept the $3900.

Thanks @Silentptnr. I had not thought this through like this and had almost always put floor in, just thinking well if they have that they can negotiate right away and less chance of losing interest. But now reading what you wrote, I see the angle that you want to get that contact so you can possibly adjust the floor. I think I will take out some floor values.
Bob

 

[Silentptnr]

Thanks @Silentptnr. I had not thought this through like this and had almost always put floor in, just thinking well if they have that they can negotiate right away and less chance of losing interest. But now reading what you wrote, I see the angle that you want to get that contact so you can possibly adjust the floor. I think I will take out some floor values.
Bob

I just sold one today where it would not have happened if I had set the floor.

The broker emailed me, asked if I would take $500. Said the buyer had come up from $250. I looked up the name, saw I paid $35 and didn't think much of it so I accepted. Within minutes it was done.

Actually, not putting in the floor was a game changer. I don't know why they request we fill that in.

Thank goodness someone else here on NP shared that tip with me a few weeks ago.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Thank goodness someone else here on NP shared that tip with me a few weeks ago.

And now you have passed it on and I (and others) have got it. Love that about this community!

I am writing something currently that includes the idea of noting what one or two key things we each learn at NamePros each day. I am starting it today, and this about floor is item one. Thank you

Congrats on sale, and best wishes for another one tomorrow!

Bob

 

[Silentptnr]

And now you have passed it on and I (and others) have got it. Love that about this community!

I am writing something currently that includes the idea of noting what one or two key things we each learn at NamePros each day. I am starting it today, and this about floor is item one. Thank you

Congrats on sale, and best wishes for another one tomorrow!

Bob

That's great Bob. The community will benefit greatly I'm sure.

 

[boker]

The domain prices seem to be all over the place. Each seller has their own pricing style but some of them are priced really, really high. I think that might sometimes be a turn off.

I think they need to carefully curate what is being shown on the homepage. Seems too random and doesn't always look good.

Actually, based on this algorithm, it would be easier to sell a 20k one word .com than 3k two word .com, because the search results will show the one word .com first, than lot's of ngtlds and at the end a few random two word .coms So, out of 100 searching for keyword 'smart' , all of them will see in the result smart.com and only like 1% will see smart+keyword.com, so there will be higher chances that one of the 100 buyers to afford the one word .com than the 90 buyers who can afford the two word com to see it.

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

One important tip if noone else mentioned it.....Don't put in Floor Prices. If you leave that blank, a broker will contact you directly to negotiate. If you fill it in, they won't.

Meaning, if you set a bin at say $5000 and a floor at say $4000, if the buyer won't go above $3900, they won't call or email you. If you set that same bin and leave the floor blank, they will contact you and ask if you'll accept the $3900.

That's NOT correct. I've been contacted several times with offers from Afternic broker where I've set BIN, Floor, Reserve and Minimum. I just checked now to re-confirm before posting this comment.

The last time this happened was just in last month.

 

[Silentptnr]

That's NOT correct. I've been contacted several times with offers from Afternic broker where I've set BIN, Floor, Reserve and Minimum. I just checked now to re-confirm before posting this comment.

The last time this happened was just in last month.

Abdul but you're a vip.

I assure you that if floor is set...no VIP, no call.

I can show 20 price requests within last month or two, price was set, no call, no email.

 

[Dot Com Realty]

I was having at least 1 sale per month, often 3, until whatever they changed in December. Now, 1 sale in 100 days with them. While other venues are performing fine.

So, my bet is they have done some algorithm change that now might be suggesting NameFind (their own names) more, even though we were told GD is not in business of competing with other domain investors. That, apparently, must have changed under new management.

If the trend continues, I will reconsider my cooperation with them and move about 4500 names I already have with them to somewhere else, as Afternic was the main attraction to be with them. That, and my general principle to avoid service providers that compete with their clients.

Exactly my experience, and my thoughts about moving away from gd. I am giving them the benefit of doubt and moved 600 names to afternic servers. Will give that a go for maybe three months. If I don't get at least three sales, I will say goodbye to the gd/aft program.