question Self-hosted or hosted domain portfolio?

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

The question is pretty much self-explanatory.

How are you managing your domain name portfolio? / What are your future plans for managing your domains?

I would appreciate your response.

Thanks.

wizard · Oct 20, 2018

We like to mix it up but now prefer hosted as we hold several thousands which is being added to daily.

Name Trader · Oct 20, 2018

Self hosted and self hosted

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

stub said:
Self hosted and self hosted

Is there any particular reason behind this?

Name Trader · Oct 20, 2018

More self control and no commissions. But Efty is quite nice, with no big expenses, IMHO.

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

Yeah, that's a valid point. But self-hosting might not work best for non-techie domainers.

briguy · Oct 20, 2018

stub said:
More self control and no commissions. But Efty is quite nice, with no big expenses, IMHO.

Another reason for me..is that I can post my own ads (affiliate links etc) on it

Re-arrange it in any way that i want. Top part of the page before you scroll gets more views!

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

briguy said:
Another reason for me..is that I can post my own ads (affiliate links etc) on it

Re-arrange it in any way that i want. Top part of the page before you scroll gets more views!

It is an interesting perspective. What if hosted service provides you tools to post your ads (affiliate links) on portfolio/landing pages. Would you use it?

briguy · Oct 20, 2018

Yes..even shared revenue.

Name Trader · Oct 20, 2018

Atta said:
Yeah, that's a valid point. But self-hosting might not work best for non-techie domainers.

There are a few scripts which can do a quite adequate job. The names fly right out the top of my head right now. I think 1 was Domain Folio? For example. All you need is the hosting. But if you don't even have the "techie" skills for web hosting, then it's probably not an option for you. Then you are pretty much stuck with Hosted solutions. Which also might be too techie for you too. I'd thoroughly recommend Efty if that is not too techie for you.

Bob Hawkes · Oct 20, 2018

This is one question I am very neutral on. If you don't have the skills or time to do a good job on self-hosted AND to keep it current, then for sure go the Efty or a marketplace such as Undeveloped that have good landers.

I think the main advantage, beyond those already listed, of self-hosting is that you can easily transform a parking/landing page into a several page mini-site that may attract traffic (and possibly revenue) that will eventually result in a lead to a sale.

Also, by self-hosting, you can do the arrangement in a way suited to your portfolio. Efty have lots and lots of lander choices, and an excellent set of categories, but it may not perfectly match your portfolio no matter how much you tweak it.

Also if you handle only a handful of extensions, the broad list on services like Undeveloped are not optimum for your potential clients.

If you self-host you can also put in links that suit your name. For example if you want to link to information for potential end users to articles that guide them through the steps in a domain transfer and answers FAQs.

I think both options can, and do, work excellently for domain investors. One advantage of a service like Efty is that I think it gives potential end users more of a sense of comfort than I site hosted by someone that they know nothing about.

Bob

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

stub said:
There are a few scripts which can do a quite adequate job. The names fly right out the top of my head right now. I think 1 was Domain Folio? For example. All you need is the hosting. But if you don't even have the "techie" skills for web hosting, then it's probably not an option for you. Then you are pretty much stuck with Hosted solutions. Which also might be too techie for you too. I'd thoroughly recommend Efty if that is not too techie for you.

Agreed. But it is easy to buy a ready-made script and host it on your own server. The problem occurs when you need more features (3rd-party services integration) to stay on top of business. If you have basic technical knowledge, chances are you won't be able to add those features and ultimately, you need to either hire someone or buy another script. In both situations, self-hosted solution might cost more than hosted solution.

On the other hand, hosted solutions keep adding new features / integrations and you get them instantly without paying extra fees (in most cases).

Atta · Oct 20, 2018

MetBob said:
This is one question I am very neutral on. If you don't have the skills or time to do a good job on self-hosted AND to keep it current, then for sure go the Efty or a marketplace such as Undeveloped that have good landers.

I think the main advantage, beyond those already listed, of self-hosting is that you can easily transform a parking/landing page into a several page mini-site that may attract traffic (and possibly revenue) that will eventually result in a lead to a sale.

Also, by self-hosting, you can do the arrangement in a way suited to your portfolio. Efty have lots and lots of lander choices, and an excellent set of categories, but it may not perfectly match your portfolio no matter how much you tweak it.

Also if you handle only a handful of extensions, the broad list on services like Undeveloped are not optimum for your potential clients.

If you self-host you can also put in links that suit your name. For example if you want to link to information for potential end users to articles that guide them through the steps in a domain transfer and answers FAQs.

I think both options can, and do, work excellently for domain investors. One advantage of a service like Efty is that I think it gives potential end users more of a sense of comfort than I site hosted by someone that they know nothing about.

Bob

Thank you Bob for your detailed answer. I completely agree with you.

kam · Oct 20, 2018

Self-host is always the best. You can do a lot of customization that create competitive advantage.

Let's say I am familiar with VB.net framework. I can easily create a desktop application to connection to mysql database and make it much more convenience for bulk edit.

I found that web interface is always not the best for those task

. I can even add some some new fields into the datatable and using my app to update those record

3rd party hosted is only a temporary solution for those haven't build up their own site yet.
I believed every serious domainer will finally go for self-host when their portfolio getting bigger and bigger.

The bigger reason I don't like 3rd party hosted service is because those public nameservers had million of domains point to them. It will be finally detected and blocked by ad-blockers.

The big corporation must have firewall installed. What if the 3rd party nameserver unlucky got blocked by those firewall / adblocker. It may lead to we lose a potential sales from big buyer.

Kam

cooljub · Oct 20, 2018

What about people searching for "Buy a domain name"? Surely they'll not see your personal marketplace before they see the big boys that you could be listed on?

briguy · Oct 20, 2018

cooljub said:
What about people searching for "Buy a domain name"? Surely they'll not see your personal marketplace before they see the big boys that you could be listed on?

True about competing with the "big boys" if you think short term but if you add regular content, post your site on to social media and if you have a budge, you can pay for ads etc BUT more important..don't give up!

~~~~~~~~

A lot of years ago..I started out with a free site, made some money (domains sales etc)..put part of that money towards that site..

No guarantees about being succe$$ful but you don't know till you really try.

FolioTeam · Oct 21, 2018

Self hosting all the way

MapleDots · Oct 21, 2018

I self host because I want to be fully in control, I find a lot of the hosted services to have too much down time.

I have my own....

WebHosting
cPanel
Website
Landers
In house credit card machine

In other words I do everything in house, having control off all aspects of my business is important to me.

Name Trader · Oct 21, 2018

What's the address of your website?

MapleDots · Oct 21, 2018

stub said:
What's the address of your website?

Who are you asking?

Mine is in my signature

J Sokol · Oct 21, 2018

I use GoDaddy and Undeveloped since I'm still new at this.

eurorealtor · Oct 21, 2018

Self hosted as well. All traffic goes to my own website.

Atta · Oct 21, 2018

cooljub said:
What about people searching for "Buy a domain name"? Surely they'll not see your personal marketplace before they see the big boys that you could be listed on?

Another reason why I am more inclined toward hosted solution.

eurorealtor · Oct 21, 2018

Atta said:
Another reason why I am more inclined toward hosted solution.

With millions of domains listed all over the marketplaces, the chances are pretty slim, unless you have really good names.

Name Trader · Oct 21, 2018

MapleDots said:
Who are you asking?

Mine is in my signature

The three in your signature were all so slow in connecting I simply couldn't wait. Which kinda doesn't give your WebHosting Business much to recommend it

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