poll I am at 5000+ now, how many domains in your "keeper" portfolio?

[Recons.Com]

So, I finally crossed the 5000 threshold. Let's share here the portfolio sizes we currently have.

For the poll, I am asking to include only the keeper names, those you are likely to renew, not the heavily discounted names you are holding for a year only. But feel free to mention that portfolio size in the comments too.

As for my portfolio, It seems in past year I have more than doubled the size, buying over 2500 names just from GD auctions/closeouts. Most names are with the GD (see the screenshot) but I also have couple hundred at Epic, Dyna combined.

And I rarely drop names now, with probably under 1% being pruned.

 

[DrJacoby]

Is that a special pricing plan? I am seeing $17.99 to renew a dot com domain name in my account.

GoDaddy Discount Domain Club.

 

[Recons.Com]

That's the right away .. I like reading this part .. been with more than 100 girls in my life and yes you are right .. every girl is different and every name is

haha ) yeah, the first 100 doesn't teach you much

 

[Recons.Com]

But in my opinion geo country domains people, most of the time go with their country TLD, until unless they going worldwide and I have seen many companies they start with the local tld.

I am working with a friend he owns a company and around 1000 names right now .. but they planned to do around 10,000 names in the next 1 year. so let's see and hope for the best

Our brains are wired to read clues from brands. When we hear the name we already draw some conclusions. When I lived in Norway, there were stores that were selling Italian sounding brand clothes, ties etc. Some research would show that these are stores own brands, but just putting an Italian sounding name was enough to evoke the feel of fashion, style etc. You put Scandinavian name on, you get the feel minimalist beauty and style, simplicity, elegance etc. You go with a German one, you sense the quality, first class engineering, reliability, precision, punctuality. In the same manner, you can evoke certain needed emotions by using a French, a Japanese etc. word, name or even similar sounding brand.

Think of it this way, we often buy good sounding names with zero meaning and hard to relate to any business (that is desirable in certain cases too), here you get to choose a good sounding one like in Kvinnan that also, as a bonus, has a relatable meaning.

So, I could start a shop in the USA, name it Kvinnan, start selling those nice high end Scandinavian wool sweaters, jewelry etc.

Or start delivery service to Scandinavian countries from US, the rest of Europe, China etc. and name it Knippe...

And here is the thing, I don't have to nail the need for each of those every time. Remember, this business is profitable getting it right for 1/100 in every given year

 

[Recons.Com]

@Recons.Com Nice! That's a huge DN bag. Just curious why you decided to keep the majority of your DN's on GD since you have such a large amount? Isn't the renewal fees much higher than most other registrars?

Thank you! I keep at GD for the following reasons:

- the downside of buggy interface is partially compensated by great people working in premium support.
- GD owns Afternic and Afternic is the bread of this industry. I find it easier to list names like that.
- I feel GD names sell better empirically. I don't have enough data to back this up though.
- If you have membership, it costs $8.29 plus 0.19 fee, 8.48$ total, 7.99+0.19 for transfers, that is very similar to others, you can also earn some points with GD, probably adds up to around $200/year, not much, but definitely makes it not more expensive than other options.
- I get most my names at GD auctions/closeouts. I don't like moving my names around without need, as I, again empirically, and logically, conclude that the names that stay put, are listed the same way etc. have better chance of selling. So, if I chase 6.99$ promo and move 1000 names, I might save $1500, but my names will lose some listings, will be locked for 1/6 of a year, I will spend few hours/days doing it and if I lose just one sale because of all these, I lose money.

As a rule of thumb, I am happy to spend many hours only for those things that generate a sustainable business, not the things that require the same routine repeated again regularly.

So, if I were to stop buying names and stop at 5500 (yes, I have added around 250 names on GD since opening this thread) total, I'd need to spend another year finishing listings, descriptions and logos for most of those and then I won't have to do much for the rest of my life, if I chose. Pay the renewals (you can put this on auto-renew too), respond to emails, close sales etc. maybe for 2 hours a week) and get your 50-100 names sold a year like that.

PS At the same time, this is true for .com, .us and maybe few others, but GD doesn't have friendly pricing for .co, .tv etc. so I definitely keep those elsewhere. Some .orgs are still with GD, but I might move those too.

 

[Recons.Com]

Show attachment 157748

Subtotal 23 + 14 in russian registrar (cctld domains).

Nice. Perhaps, time to grow your portfolio since you are already working in the industry and might see some ins and outs most don't? Udachi

 

[CobraKai]

Thank you! I keep at GD for the following reasons:

- the downside of buggy interface is partially compensated by great people working in premium support.
- GD owns Afternic and Afternic is the bread of this industry. I find it easier to list names like that.
- I feel GD names sell better empirically. I don't have enough data to back this up though.
- If you have membership, it costs $8.29 plus 0.19 fee, 8.48$ total, 7.99+0.19 for transfers, that is very similar to others, you can also earn some points with GD, probably adds up to around $200/year, not much, but definitely makes it not more expensive than other options.
- I get most my names at GD auctions/closeouts. I don't like moving my names around without need, as I, again empirically, and logically, conclude that the names that stay put, are listed the same way etc. have better chance of selling. So, if I chase 6.99$ promo and move 1000 names, I might save $1500, but my names will lose some listings, will be locked for 1/6 of a year, I will spend few hours/days doing it and if I lose just one sale because of all these, I lose money.

As a rule of thumb, I am happy to spend many hours only for those things that generate a sustainable business, not the things that require the same routine repeated again regularly.

So, if I were to stop buying names and stop at 5500 (yes, I have added around 250 names on GD since opening this thread) total, I'd need to spend another year finishing listings, descriptions and logos for most of those and then I won't have to do much for the rest of my life, if I chose. Pay the renewals (you can put this on auto-renew too), respond to emails, close sales etc. maybe for 2 hours a week) and get your 50-100 names sold a year like that.

PS At the same time, this is true for .com, .us and maybe few others, but GD doesn't have friendly pricing for .co, .tv etc. so I definitely keep those elsewhere. Some .orgs are still with GD, but I might move those too.

Thank you for the detailed reply. Makes total sense!

 

[xbank]

Our brains are wired to read clues from brands. When we hear the name we already draw some conclusions. When I lived in Norway, there were stores that were selling Italian sounding brand clothes, ties etc. Some research would show that these are stores own brands, but just putting an Italian sounding name was enough to evoke the feel of fashion, style etc. You put Scandinavian name on, you get the feel minimalist beauty and style, simplicity, elegance etc. You go with a German one, you sense the quality, first class engineering, reliability, precision, punctuality. In the same manner, you can evoke certain needed emotions by using a French, a Japanese etc. word, name or even similar sounding brand.

Think of it this way, we often buy good sounding names with zero meaning and hard to relate to any business (that is desirable in certain cases too), here you get to choose a good sounding one like in Kvinnan that also, as a bonus, has a relatable meaning.

So, I could start a shop in the USA, name it Kvinnan, start selling those nice high end Scandinavian wool sweaters, jewelry etc.

Or start delivery service to Scandinavian countries from US, the rest of Europe, China etc. and name it Knippe...

And here is the thing, I don't have to nail the need for each of those every time. Remember, this business is profitable getting it right for 1/100 in every given year

Agreed, travelled a lot and lived in Germany and other European countries and figured that they have a different way of calling things and you are right some name might don't sound too good. but they have a real meaning hidden in a different language and different culture treat that differently .. it might not be valuable to some but for some, it's too much value or emotions attached to it.

I am usually into payment domain names and also in medical names, most of the portfolio is filled with those so trying to diversify by adding 1-2 for each category and I see there are around 700-800 possible categories so adding 2 names for each category makes it around 1600 more names and currently sitting on 1200 names makes it around 2800 names .. and that will be enough

 

[xbank]

Recons would love to take your advice , can send you a message in private?

 

[Recons.Com]

Recons would love to take your advice , can send you a message in private?

of course

 

[Mifuru]

Nice. Perhaps, time to grow your portfolio since you are already working in the industry and might see some ins and outs most don't? Udachi

Hah, so far I'm happy with my number of domains. All of them are unique and all of them are branded.

 

[Kassey Lee]

This thread is so insightful and helpful that I made a post on LinkedIn yesterday to share with my connections: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kass...-study-this-activity-6676972518169022464-1eD3

Once again, I want to thank @Recons.Com for generously sharing his experience in building up a large domain portfolio. His domain strategy is a very sound one

- the downside of buggy interface is partially compensated by great people working in premium support.

Do you have a dedicated and helpful domain manager at GD to look after your affairs?

If you have membership, it costs $8.29 plus 0.19 fee, 8.48$ total, 7.99+0.19 for transfers, that is very similar to others, you can also earn some points with GD, probably adds up to around $200/year, not much, but definitely makes it not more expensive than other options.

How do you earn points to add up to $200/year?

 

[Recons.Com]

This thread is so insightful and helpful that I made a post on LinkedIn yesterday to share with my connections: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kass...-study-this-activity-6676972518169022464-1eD3

Once again, I want to thank @Recons.Com for generously sharing his experience in building up a large domain portfolio. His domain strategy is a very sound one


Do you have a dedicated and helpful domain manager at GD to look after your affairs?

How do you earn points to add up to $200/year?

Thank you dear @Kassey Lee

Yes, GD has provided me with a dedicated manager. The first one got promoted, was a fantastic pro-active guy solving lots of issues. The second one is an amazing guy too. Mostly communicate via emails, but occasionally call too.

Points: honestly, not sure how it works exactly. Just get some reward points. Need to ask. And before it was accumulating much faster, maybe they excluded renewals? With GD you can also get rebates via third parties. Could save 2.5% to 5% on renewals.

 

[Mifuru]

Thank you dear @Kassey Lee

Yes, GD has provided me with a dedicated manager. The first one got promoted, was a fantastic pro-active guy solving lots of issues. The second one is an amazing guy too. Mostly communicate via emails, but occasionally call too.

Points: honestly, not sure how it works exactly. Just get some reward points. Need to ask. And before it was accumulating much faster, maybe they excluded renewals? With GD you can also get rebates via third parties. Could save 2.5% to 5% on renewals.
Show attachment 157865

What does godaddy pro plus give you? I dont work with Godaddy on this day

 

[Recons.Com]

What does godaddy pro plus give you? I dont work with Godaddy on this day

I assume I got the pro because of the number of domains. Not sure what the threshold is, maybe 1000 names?

Main thing with GD is to get the domain discount club membership, then you get 8.29$+18 cents for .com regs. Dot us is good too. Some other extensions still don't provide good deal. I am 95%+ .com plus 2% .us, so it makes sense for me. And I don't like moving the names around for the reasons discussed above.

 

[Mifuru]

I assume I got the pro because of the number of domains. Not sure what the threshold is, maybe 1000 names?

Main thing with GD is to get the domain discount club membership, then you get 8.29$+18 cents for .com regs. Dot us is good too. Some other extensions still don't provide good deal. I am 95%+ .com plus 2% .us, so it makes sense for me. And I don't like moving the names around for the reasons discussed above.

If it's not a secret, you take money for the renewal of 5000 domains from the sale of others? Thats 5000*8.47=~42350 USD per year. I will ask, because its just curious for me.

 

[Recons.Com]

If it's not a secret, you take money for the renewal of 5000 domains from the sale of others? Thats 5000*8.47=~42350 USD per year. I will ask, because its just curious for me.

Show attachment 157871

If you average $2k post commission, you would need 22 sales to cover that.

That is 22/5000 = 0.44% sell through (assuming your portfolio size was the same throughout the year). Anything above goes towards your covering your other costs and profit on investment. A portfolio of this size should get a sell through of 0.8% to 2% depending on quality, pricing, listings, landers, seo etc. Of course, with everything done perfectly, higher str is also achievable.

But you make your earning at the time of purchase really. If you buy good investment grade names, you will sell. Mediocre/ bad or good- but- no- one- will- pay- for- figure- price might make it not profitable.

 

[Windoms]

I am usually into payment domain names and also in medical names, most of the portfolio is filled with those so trying to diversify by adding 1-2 for each category and I see there are around 700-800 possible categories so adding 2 names for each category makes it around 1600 more names and currently sitting on 1200 names makes it around 2800 names .. and that will be enough

2 each category, 800 categories.
This is scary, are you new?
Better to have more names in fewer, good categories.
Like 100 each category, 10 very good categories.
So you can try and get the feel of what makes a good name, instead of spreading, randomly.
My best decision was to limit my spending to 1000$ when I was new.

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Most of my domains are keepers. Could say 98-99% of them and very few of them are dropped every year.

While acquiring, my focus is to buy only those which I tend to keep on long term unless later I come across something which makes me think the domain is not worth it anymore or I've bought the wrong domain for whatever reason.

Crossed the 3,900 mark this week.

Thanks!

 

[Recons.Com]

Most of my domains are keepers. Could say 98-99% of them and very few of them are dropped every year.

While acquiring, my focus is to buy only those which I tend to keep on long term unless later I come across something which makes me think the domain is not worth it anymore or I've bought the wrong domain for whatever reason.

Crossed the 3,900 mark this week.

Thanks!

You have great portfolio ) Congrats on 3900. You seem to be accelerating with the acquisitions?

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

You have great portfolio ) Congrats on 3900. You seem to be accelerating with the acquisitions?

Thank you my friend

I’ve been acquiring 50-80 domains per month and since none are hand registered or from closeouts so the average purchase price is on higher side which is why I'm limited to buying that many numbers only every month.

Also as you know the crazy auction prices so I'm more watchful these days.

 

[Recons.Com]

Thank you my friend

I’ve been acquiring 50-80 domains per month and since none are hand registered or from closeouts so the average purchase price is on higher side which is why I'm limited to buying that many numbers only every month.

Also as you know the crazy auction prices so I'm more watchful these days.

Yes, I know your strategy and it apparently works )

I am splitting my acquisition budget between two baskets: private acquisitions + auctions; closeouts. I feel like you can find some really nice gems there, just a bit more work to find them.

I have added over 200 names to my GD since starting this thread. From TheOrigins.com, xDMV.com, RDDV.com, WDJE.com JEDM.com YEGV.com GVAK.com Inform.us, Analyze.us, e-mail.us to Cecond.com Taskier.com Crediterra.com AdVirtue.com, Enfilter.com, FolksTech, SkyImagery.com, SouthLegacy.com, Lexxor.com etc.

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Yes, I know your strategy and it apparently works )

I am splitting my acquisition budget between two baskets: private acquisitions + auctions; closeouts. I feel like you can find some really nice gems there, just a bit more work to find them.

I have added over 200 names to my GD since starting this thread. From TheOrigins.com, xDMV.com, RDDV.com, WDJE.com JEDM.com YEGV.com GVAK.com Inform.us, Analyze.us, e-mail.us to Cecond.com Taskier.com Crediterra.com AdVirtue.com, Enfilter.com, FolksTech, SkyImagery.com, SouthLegacy.com, Lexxor.com etc.

Thanks for your suggestion and I agree with you here.

The main problem for me for not touching closeout domains anymore is that I'm residing in Malaysia and the closeouts are usually happening around 3-6AM my time which is why I'm out of it

I really like your choice of domains you buy. Keep rocking and sharing

 

[Recons.Com]

Thanks for your suggestion and I agree with you here.

The main problem for me for not touching closeout domains anymore is that I'm residing in Malaysia and the closeouts are usually happening around 3-6AM my time which is why I'm out of it

I really like your choice of domains you buy. Keep rocking and sharing

I know what you mean. Had the same problem living in Norway. It is USA-centric.

But here is the beauty of closeouts: you don't really have to rush. I don't. I take my time, make my list, revisit, check again etc. Often, buy when they reach $5, although some I will grab at $11 when I see it. If the name made it through the cracks, there is about 80% chance it well make it all the way through without being picked up.

And thank you for the compliment, brother )

 

[xbank]

2 each category, 800 categories.
This is scary, are you new?
Better to have more names in fewer, good categories.
Like 100 each category, 10 very good categories.
So you can try and get the feel of what makes a good name, instead of spreading, randomly.
My best decision was to limit my spending to 1000$ when I was new.

little bit hehehehehehehe

 

[Nishant R]

So, I finally crossed the 5000 threshold. Let's share here the portfolio sizes we currently have.

For the poll, I am asking to include only the keeper names, those you are likely to renew, not the heavily discounted names you are holding for a year only. But feel free to mention that portfolio size in the comments too.

As for my portfolio, It seems in past year I have more than doubled the size, buying over 2500 names just from GD auctions/closeouts. Most names are with the GD (see the screenshot) but I also have couple hundred at Epic, Dyna combined.

And I rarely drop names now, with probably under 1% being pruned.

Show attachment 157164

I don't have plan to extend my small portfolio upto 5k.
Or
Maybe I will. I love buying names