discuss Squadhelp - Good idea?

[WebAddy.co]

So our domains are currently listed on :

Afternic (BIN)
Own custom landing pages (Make an offer with Offers in the region of)
Sedo (MO)
Dan.com (MO)
Godaddy (MO)
DomainAgents (MO)
SquadHelp (MO)

So far, no sales for a month and a half. But seems like a number of Domainers feeling that pinch. My question for today friends is as follows, how do people feel about SquadHelp.com?

I recently thought - Okay - Let's give them a whirl. They have two listing options :

1. Standard listing - allowing you to list the domains on their market place, paying a 7.5% commission, and no exclusivity requirements.
2. Premium Listing - They apparently market these a lot more externally, asking for a 35% -> 15% commission depending on domain price. They do some extra bits and bobs to the domains to make them stand out better for people to buy (incl. Logos etc). You can choose a premium listing with exclusivity, meaning you have to sell all the domains through SH, or you can pay a coin ($1) to list with semi-exclusive - basically meaning that you cannot list anywhere other than Afternic.

Because of my other listing arrangements, I thought - well - I will list as standard as they are wanting to sell domains so may not get the external marketing (although you can upgrade for a fee for SOME of this) I would give them a whirl.

So merrily I go and put on close on 200 domains as a test case, non-exclusive, standard listing MO. I then go to search the marketplace to see what my domains look like - and low and behold - none of them shows up. I have verified them, even filled in a little bit of detail to help the squad help systems find the domains. Still nothing.

I get hold of them to discuss - and they say - or your domains won't show in the market place. I'm like "Gulp!" why not? Because they are standard listings they say. They then direct me to a link for a market place that shows the standard listings too, but guess what fellow patrons of the virtual real-estate world - this market place link doesn't seem to show up (even searching directly for it) on any of the page links in the NAV bar. Meaning that people actually don't directly get the ability to search standard domains.

I asked if the enhanced exposure would put them on the "standard" marketplace that has a link on the site, I was told no - that's only for premium domains.

So I am like - how do people find the standard domains - to which I got this response from the lady on chat "As mentioned earlier, the all domains link will be promoted to prospects via retargeting ads as well as popups - thus, prospects can still see standard domains." - So basically people cannot search directly for your keywords, just if the system thinks it should make a last-ditch attempt to sell the "standard stuff".

So I thought - let's test this. I then found a premium domain that was VERY close to one of mine. I went onto the landing page for it and low and behold - my Standard domain is nowhere to be found - no retargeting - no additional info - nothing.

If they were negotiable on their premium listings I may upgrade, even if it cost me money. I want my domains to have the best chance across many marketplaces. I cannot afford to have $500k worth of domains in one marketplace. The sticking points for me are:

1. I do not want restrictive exclusive relationships. I want the option to sell wherever I like.
2. I am happy for commissions to be higher on the basis that they do some marketing leg-work. But they expect the higher commissions with the exclusivity.
3. Only 10% of the accepted premium domains can be MO - otherwise they have to be BIN. This restricts things significantly.

To top it all off - I use my own landing pages - but when clicking on the domain when I could search for it in the standard unknown / cant be found marketplace, the landing page brought up a 404 error. Fun! Every barrier to actually selling anything through SH.

Anyways, that's my little rant. Would love to hear from others - and/or perhaps even from SquadHelp themselves? So far - chatting to them online has only caused confusion and frustration.

 

[Chase M.]

SquadHelp is a brandable marketplace- and they're great at that. But I don't really see any value in it beyond brandable names. They're not going to dilute their brandable marketplace search results with non-premium domains.

If you are looking for a lander, just stick with afternic, DAN, etc.

 

[WebAddy.co]

Thanks for your reply. I use BrandPa for my brandables. If you do a search on Squad Help, they seem to have quite a few "ranges" of domains including brandables. If they were interested in just that area of the industry they would be more selective like BrandPa etc. But since they are seemingly allowing the mass market domains (even as standard), then it's a good idea to give people the option to actually search them - without expecting the exclusivity side of things. That's my main issue.

 

[gericsb]

Squadhelp you only want to use their Premium Marketplace because of the promotion.

The difference is it is VERY hard to get domains accepted.

I got 1 of my first 3 accepted.

I am 0 for 16 since.

Good luck!

 

[DuDD]

sorry would you mind telling me what "BIN" means? and What is MO? What is their full name

 

[gericsb]

sorry would you mind telling me what "BIN" means? and What is MO? What is their full name

BIN is Buy It Now
MO is Make Offer

 

[DuDD]

BIN is Buy It Now
MO is Make Offer

So that's it.
Thank you vey much

 

[Alop]

They sure made it seem as the standard domains would have some exposure from their main market place ...SMH

At first I loved SH but I feel ehhhhh about it now lol

 

[WebAddy.co]

Yeah - you and me both. They seem to give standard domains the greatest barrier to a sale. I would have thought that any commission, even smaller, would be welcomed by them. If they weren't so restrictive with premium domains etc they would probably get a load more business (if they actually wanted it). No one really wants to give one place complete exclusivity (or even partial with Afternic and SH) when you are trying to get consistent sales for your virtual real-estate.

 

[karmaco]

They provide a landing page just like many others. You are expected to market your own names and I guess direct type in traffic would of course go right to your page. It is considered your personal public market so its not on the main site.

 

[WebAddy.co]

I understand they may provide landing page services. Which is great. But they should still direct traffic to standard listings via their site directly. Maybe they get a smaller piece of the pie - but it's still something.

As far as landing pages, I use my own developed landing page system. So I don't use anyone else's.

 

[Alop]

If you visit your “public profile” you should be able to click “ View all domains for sale by “

 

[gericsb]

I understand they may provide landing page services. Which is great. But they should still direct traffic to standard listings via their site directly. Maybe they get a smaller piece of the pie - but it's still something.

As far as landing pages, I use my own developed landing page system. So I don't use anyone else's.

Any more updates on your progress, in general?

I am quite curious because our paths are quite similar.

I also just listed on all the same marketplaces as you, in the same fashion using BIN on Anic and Make Offees everywhere else.

And submitted my first 5 to BB and am trying to get more listed on SH

It sounds like you have more domains as I am about maxed out around 80 names.

I also would like to know if you tried SquadHelp premium submissions yet?

Thanks!

 

[WebAddy.co]

Hi gericsb,

Thanks for your response. I haven't tried premium listings as yet - due to the fact that you have to pay in order to have a semi-exclusive relationship (basically all this means is that you can list with Afternic and SH).

Obviously, this isn't really going to cut the mustard. Afternic sales are not particularly good at present as per many domainers - so quantity is the key it seems at the moment.

I think a lot of the "alternative" extensions seem to be having an effect on people too - enabling people to get "Fantastic.domains" rather than the old faithful "Fantasticdomains.com".

Be interesting to see how this plays out in the future - but in the meantime am stuck with SH standard submissions with their 7.5% commission structure. Anyone welcome to drop SH a message and tell them about this thread, and how they should perhaps rethink a few things. So far I haven't got much response from their support folk.

(and to just answer your other question, we have over 800 domains at the moment. We add at least 10 a day with our own drop catching software we have written).

 

[blogspotter]

The standard listing is simply using their lander and their support staff like live chat, make offer etc.

The standard listing with marketing exposure means they will include your name in their off site marketing.

If your standard name showed up in their marketplace, it would be unfair to the premium names don't you think?

A brandable marketplace is a totally different business model.

If your name gets type in traffic from people actually looking to buy the name, you'd be best off using your own lander using efty, carrd or a simply offer page.

If you name is an "option" for a business name among a few related choice, a registry path is the best. People actually searching for a name not available for priced out of reach, and your name showing up as an option on Godaddy etc. They will sell from Afternic SEDO etc.

These are names that people actually have thought about before buying so they type in the name in the browser to see if it is already a website, or they go to a registrar and search for it.

Where a brandable marketplace comes in where a some wanting to start a business has not yet decided on what names they want for their start-up/business so they go to a brand marketplace and search for names.


So if you have a names that sounds great, unique, easy to spell and easy on the ears, a would be entrepreneur might want to buy it. If that name is placed in front of them.

But brandbucket or Squadhelp is hardly a household name in the business startup space. So they need to do a lot of promotion to get traffic to their site.

So that is why we are paying 35% on a name that wouldn't have sold anywhere.
Because promotion is expensive. I am sure afternic etc have a much bigger margin on a smaller commission.

if you name is generic enough that it will sell in it's own, it is best to leave it on Non brandable places..

 

[gericsb]

Hi gericsb,

Thanks for your response. I haven't tried premium listings as yet - due to the fact that you have to pay in order to have a semi-exclusive relationship (basically all this means is that you can list with Afternic and SH).

Obviously, this isn't really going to cut the mustard. Afternic sales are not particularly good at present as per many domainers - so quantity is the key it seems at the moment.

I think a lot of the "alternative" extensions seem to be having an effect on people too - enabling people to get "Fantastic.domains" rather than the old faithful "Fantasticdomains.com".

Be interesting to see how this plays out in the future - but in the meantime am stuck with SH standard submissions with their 7.5% commission structure. Anyone welcome to drop SH a message and tell them about this thread, and how they should perhaps rethink a few things. So far I haven't got much response from their support folk.

(and to just answer your other question, we have over 800 domains at the moment. We add at least 10 a day with our own drop catching software we have written).

Wow! Thanks for the detailed response.

The fact that things can be 'slow' for someone with 800 domains is somewhat scary for someone with 80

Due to my limited budget, SH provides a great way for someone on a budget to submit domains without having to pay to reg them.

Yes, I am giving up 75-80% of the sale, but the only thing I am risking is my time.

I am also getting feedback on what makes a good brandable domain ...at least in SH's eyes

 

[gericsb]

The standard listing is simply using their lander and their support staff like live chat, make offer etc.

The standard listing with marketing exposure means they will include your name in their off site marketing.

If your standard name showed up in their marketplace, it would be unfair to the premium names don't you think?

A brandable marketplace is a totally different business model.

If your name gets type in traffic from people actually looking to buy the name, you'd be best off using your own lander using efty, carrd or a simply offer page.

If you name is an "option" for a business name among a few related choice, a registry path is the best. People actually searching for a name not available for priced out of reach, and your name showing up as an option on Godaddy etc. They will sell from Afternic SEDO etc.

These are names that people actually have thought about before buying so they type in the name in the browser to see if it is already a website, or they go to a registrar and search for it.

Where a brandable marketplace comes in where a some wanting to start a business has not yet decided on what names they want for their start-up/business so they go to a brand marketplace and search for names.


So if you have a names that sounds great, unique, easy to spell and easy on the ears, a would be entrepreneur might want to buy it. If that name is placed in front of them.

But brandbucket or Squadhelp is hardly a household name in the business startup space. So they need to do a lot of promotion to get traffic to their site.

So that is why we are paying 35% on a name that wouldn't have sold anywhere.
Because promotion is expensive. I am sure afternic etc have a much bigger margin on a smaller commission.

if you name is generic enough that it will sell in it's own, it is best to leave it on Non brandable places..

Great explanation of which marketing path to use depending on name type

 

[WebAddy.co]

The standard listing is simply using their lander and their support staff like live chat, make offer etc.

The standard listing with marketing exposure means they will include your name in their off site marketing.

If your standard name showed up in their marketplace, it would be unfair to the premium names don't you think?

A brandable marketplace is a totally different business model.

If your name gets type in traffic from people actually looking to buy the name, you'd be best off using your own lander using efty, carrd or a simply offer page.

If you name is an "option" for a business name among a few related choice, a registry path is the best. People actually searching for a name not available for priced out of reach, and your name showing up as an option on Godaddy etc. They will sell from Afternic SEDO etc.

These are names that people actually have thought about before buying so they type in the name in the browser to see if it is already a website, or they go to a registrar and search for it.

Where a brandable marketplace comes in where a some wanting to start a business has not yet decided on what names they want for their start-up/business so they go to a brand marketplace and search for names.


So if you have a names that sounds great, unique, easy to spell and easy on the ears, a would be entrepreneur might want to buy it. If that name is placed in front of them.

But brandbucket or Squadhelp is hardly a household name in the business startup space. So they need to do a lot of promotion to get traffic to their site.

So that is why we are paying 35% on a name that wouldn't have sold anywhere.
Because promotion is expensive. I am sure afternic etc have a much bigger margin on a smaller commission.

if you name is generic enough that it will sell in it's own, it is best to leave it on Non brandable places..

Thanks for your response. I appreciate what you are saying - but if they offer the ability to add standard names (thereby hybridizing their model) then they must enable people to find them. The exposure upgrde for standard domains doesn't offer you much more exposure (although will offer you some).

I use BrandPa for my brandables. I have about 60 domains with them currently. I use them because they are exclusively focused on brandables, and I like their flow. They also have a great interface for searching etc.

I would be happy to give more commission to SH for the privilege, but do not want the exclusivity clauses. I just want to get the best market exposure for all my domains.

 

[gericsb]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate what you are saying - but if they offer the ability to add standard names (thereby hybridizing their model) then they must enable people to find them. The exposure upgrde for standard domains doesn't offer you much more exposure (although will offer you some).

I use BrandPa for my brandables. I have about 60 domains with them currently. I use them because they are exclusively focused on brandables, and I like their flow. They also have a great interface for searching etc.

I would be happy to give more commission to SH for the privilege, but do not want the exclusivity clauses. I just want to get the best market exposure for all my domains.

Totally understandable and I can appreciate that!

Please keep up the hard work and good luck with your marketing efforts.

I will keep an eye on this thread!

 

[blogspotter]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate what you are saying - but if they offer the ability to add standard names (thereby hybridizing their model) then they must enable people to find them. The exposure upgrde for standard domains doesn't offer you much more exposure (although will offer you some).

I use BrandPa for my brandables. I have about 60 domains with them currently. I use them because they are exclusively focused on brandables, and I like their flow. They also have a great interface for searching etc.

I would be happy to give more commission to SH for the privilege, but do not want the exclusivity clauses. I just want to get the best market exposure for all my domains.

My point is people who have hundreds of premium names don't want basic listing to show up and compete in the search.

Why would anyone pay 30% for premium if all they had to do was list in Standard?

Like I said for a lot name the 30-35% is commission well worth paying. Because many of these are names that might not sell at other places.

Anyway there are many people who are selling good names in basic listing. basic is the best for good names that would sell on it's own.

I have removed some premium names from the premium and downgraded to basic because they get enough inquiries on their own.

 

[King]

Probably not

 

[Freshnam]

squadhelp is the #1 brandable market on the net right now they get the most traffic but they also lack high dollar sales if your just looking to push your domain theres plenty of venues but your get more sales with brandables

 

[WebAddy.co]

squadhelp is the #1 brandable market on the net right now they get the most traffic but they also lack high dollar sales if your just looking to push your domain theres plenty of venues but your get more sales with brandables

Thanks - as mentioned I have a number of Brandables with BrandPa. I like their interface, and the fact they only have about 30k domains on their books. They may not get all the traffic in the world, but at least the domains get a fair viewing compared to being lost in translation in a sea of domains elsewhere.

That being said - as mentioned - we have a few hundred domains listed at SH as Standard listings, alongside many other "traditional" marketplaces.

 

[Freshnam]

more traffic more views but yea i like brandpa too

 

[Josytal]

Maybe the problem is with the quality of your domains, and not the marketplaces? Difficult to conclude without seeing your portfolio.