news Alter ceasing operations

[Mkt Sales Leads]

Email received today:

Farewell​ Hi there, First and foremost, I would like to thank each and every one of you for using Alter to sell your domain names. We couldn't have come this far without your invaluable support. Over the last couple years we've been on a mission to transform the domain industry. However, despite all our attempts we weren't able to find a sustainable business model. So it is with a heavy heart I write to you today to say farewell. On April 2nd, all third-party domain listings will be removed from our marketplace. Seller accounts will remain active for the foreseeable future so those with a positive balance or pending installments can continue to cash out. Lastly, we realize this decision wouldn't be fair to sellers who spent money to have professional logos designed on our platform. So we have refunded all relevant payments back to your account balance which can be cashed out at any time. We truly wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It’s unfortunate that this wasn’t the outcome we wanted but we’re thankful to everyone that came with us on the journey. Sincerely, Deven Patel Founder & CEO

 

[F.E.]

@DotKing Yes if you're entrepreneur focused purely on profit purely. If I get a chance to buy Alter.com Inc (business), I'm going to keep things as is (focus on market growth short-term).

 

[Reallybigidea.com]

I just visited this website, I like the brand Alter. com but a website doesn't looks good as brandbucket.

 

[DotKing]

Yes if you're entrepreneur focused purely on profit purely. If I get a chance to buy Alter.com Inc (business), I'm going to keep things as is (focus on market growth short-term)

I didn't like their decision to allow free listing of any domain.
Quality went downhill...

 

[F.E.]

That's the one way of making alter succeed (opening inclusive domain marketplace such as Dan, Afternic and others), but their marketing execution was bad to start with.

"Business name generator" doesn't mean domain name marketplace at any certain aspect, so I believe marketing is misleading (unintentionally).

Second aspect of success is to start cleaning up marketplace and make it premium brandable, which is also nice place for success considering number of backlinks from reputable domains (forbes, TWP, Yahoo, and others).

 

[Reallybigidea.com]

"Business name generator" doesn't mean domain name marketplace at any certain aspect, so I believe marketing is misleading (unintentionally).

I posted about this on another thread..

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I was very sad to get the email.

I found Alter did well so many things, and loved their landers. They were innovative, approaching what is possible with an open mind, and nimble in trying new things. Half of my portfolio, and the majority of my brandable type names, is at Alter landers.

Beyond that, @Deven Patel is an honourable, smart and classy guy. Especially in early stages, he interacted with NamePros members and implemented many suggestions.

There is so much influence in a few large players, and inertia in our industry. A new player breaking in is tough.

I wish @Deven Patel the very best going forward.

Bob

 

[F.E.]

For something that started only 4 years ago, this is very quick closure, especially when Alter already has 34k domains hosted (according to DomainTools).

There are several issues with Alter's market execution, but I'm certain that this business would be a long-term success with proper strategy and proper execution.

 

[Mkt Sales Leads]

There is so much influence in a few large players, and inertia in our industry. A new player breaking in is tough.

I wish @Deven Patel the very best going forward.

Bob

Also, when a new entrant comes along and does succeed, they get swallowed up by the bigger competitor, e.g. just like when BB bought Brandroot.

Until there's a successful, disruptive competitor in the brandable space, BB and SH will continue taking huge chunks of commission, plus paid listing /booster / token fees.

 

[OnlineDomainShop]

I am sad alter has to shut down , alter.com can be next big thing for alt coins

 

[King]

Meh, they were never able to simply make their logo an SVG which would make the website look a lot more professional even after I told them. Says a lot about their capabilities.

 

[marijuanadomain]

It is nice and courteous that he informs his clients not like VOODOO

Voodoo just MIA without any trace and "Stole" our money

 

[F.E.]

There's still a hope for Alter. More soon

 

[Alex Solomon]

So painful to me as my last sale last month was from Alter lander... I hope things get better soon..

 

[Charybdis]

There's still a hope for Alter. More soon

Are you buying it? But sellers are already leaving the platform, if they want to sell the whole thing, then this farewell email was not a good idea.

 

[F.E.]

Are you buying it? But sellers are already leaving the platform, if they want to sell the whole thing, then this farewell email was not a good idea.

hopefully, I am.

Actually, it's beneficial for me (sellers leaving) as I'll have to decide on whether Alter will be general domain marketplace or just brandable. At this current state it's marketed as brandable, but execution is general marketplace, which doesn't help at all because:
- if I decide to stay on brandable domain marketplace, I'll have to review and probably remove bunch of existing listings, or
- if I decide it's going to be general domain marketplace, I'll have to change front-end (search results, recommendations, marketing side etc) completely.

Once I review everything from a business perspective and start the process, Namepros will be first to know Alter's future roadmap.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

hopefully, I am.

Actually, it's beneficial for me (sellers leaving) as I'll have to decide on whether Alter will be general domain marketplace or just brandable. At this current state it's marketed as brandable, but execution is general marketplace, which doesn't help at all because:
- if I decide to stay on brandable domain marketplace, I'll have to review and probably remove bunch of existing listings, or
- if I decide it's going to be general domain marketplace, I'll have to change front-end (search results, recommendations, marketing side etc) completely.

Once I review everything from a business perspective and start the process, Namepros will be first to know Alter's future roadmap.

Nice one. Are the software devs and designers on retainer going to get a pay rise?

 

[F.E.]

One step at a time, but I could tell that I'm in a business of making all partners happy, so I'm sure there'll be room for new opportunities to designers.

 

[Future Sensors]

One step at a time, but I could tell that I'm in a business of making all partners happy, so I'm sure there'll be room for new opportunities to designers.

I hear a lot of plans, but are you actually negotiating with the owner about new plans? Maybe it's better not to post this all publicly on the forum.

 

[tomcarl]

If anyone has contact of this Patel guy, could you please reach him out and ask if he is interested in possible sellout of Alter.com?


If so, please let me know.

You gunna make em an offer he can't refuse?

Try the contact link on the site.

 

[Mr.company]

Please contact me @Deven Patel to talk about alter . I can help you to take you next level if not please contact me privately to negotiate the purchase of it.

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

Does this have any implications for Nameworth? This appraisal site seems to have a connection with Alter. Anyone have any insights on this?

 

[F.E.]

I hear a lot of plans, but are you actually negotiating with the owner about new plans? Maybe it's better not to post this all publicly on the forum.

Negotiations already started, can't disclose much information on that regard. As said, one step at a time.

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

Negotiations already started, can't disclose much information on that regard. As said, one step at a time.

Wow, you work fast! Go for it!

 

[Arch]

My assumptions are that some domain investors are trying to buy Alter.com for their own portfolios, and not sure if they did already, but I just got it touch with Mr. Patel and if he's willing to sell Alter.com Inc as a whole business, I'll be acquiring it and probably leave things as is for some time, but I do have different vision for it, still in domaining industry.

The whole point of buying the company would be for the revenue. If a domain investor is trying to buy Alter for their own portfolio, it wouldn't make any sense, since they may as well just run their own site because it would be a lot cheaper.

Anyway, if your purchase is successful, I wish you the best of luck with the new vision.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Does this have any implications for Nameworth? This appraisal site seems to have a connection with Alter. Anyone have any insights on this?

I don’t think there is any relation.

The Biix marketplace and NameWorth appraisal are related (same owner).

Alter developed their own 6-factor appraisal system which is part of Alter.