Squadhelp to launch a “Wholesale Marketplace”

Gettin' better every day. Don't stop.

Squad help global rank jumped

With the amazing creativity and participation of our community, Squadhelp has built a strong position in the naming category by offering a unique combination of Crowdsourcing, Gamification and Brandable domains for sale.

In the past, this growth has primarily come from companies who have used our Crowdsourcing process to host naming contests. However, over the last several months, we've been able to rapidly build a strong presence in the Marketplace (Brandable Domains for sale) category. Our growth in Q1 2019, primarily came from the Marketplace, and we are pleased to share some key stats.

In order to provide multiple points of reference, we have analyzed the stats from 3 leading platforms that track competitive metrics (e.g. Alexa, SimilarWeb and SEMRush).

Note: The information provided by competitive tracking tools (such as Alexa, SimilarWeb, SEMRush) is based upon estimates and their unique tracking methodologies.

so, how much commission will they charge?

imo...

biggie said:

so, how much commission will they charge?

imo...

Click to expand...

Perhaps @GrantP can comment?

JudgeMind said:

Perhaps @GrantP can comment?

Click to expand...

Thanks for tagging me. You can read more about this new feature (including commission rates) here:

https://helpdesk.squadhelp.com/domain-marketplace/seller-to-seller-wholesale-marketplace

Note - this feature is currently not live yet, and should be available later this week.

@GrantP

Alexa stats don't mean much, as it is very dependent on the geography of your visitors. If you get a lot from India and other countries, especially from webmasters, designers etc. in those countries, your Alexa will get huge boost.

SH Alexa shows India as top country (which is not necessarily true), so your 50K ranking is probably heavily influenced by having lots of creative contributors visiting your site regularly and having Alexa plugin installed.

I am surprised that you are referring to such semi-scientific sources when showing traffic growth. Google analytics would have been much better source, for example.

Recons.Com said:

Alexa stats don't mean much, as it is very dependent on the geography of your visitors. If you get a lot from India and other countries, especially from webmasters, designers etc. in those countries, your Alexa will get huge boost.

SH Alexa shows India as top country (which is not necessarily true), so your 50K ranking is probably heavily influenced by having lots of creative contributors visiting your site regularly and having Alexa plugin installed.

I am surprised that you are referring to such semi-scientific sources when showing traffic growth. Google analytics would have been much better source, for example.

Click to expand...

Excellent point - The Alexa ranking is based upon several estimates and tracking technologies which may not be very reliable. These days, tools such as SimilarWeb offer a bit more scientific view, but again these tools are based upon estimates. This is the reason, we reviewed our performance across 3 different tools with independent tracking technologies. The reason we used external tools is so that we can offer a more objective point of view from external tools that track and report this information publicly.

Let me check with our team if we are able to share some information directly from our own Google Analytics (due to competitive reasons, we do not typically share our internal numbers but your point is valid, and I will follow up with our team).

GrantP said:

Thanks for tagging me. You can read more about this new feature (including commission rates) here:

https://helpdesk.squadhelp.com/domain-marketplace/seller-to-seller-wholesale-marketplace

Note - this feature is currently not live yet, and should be available later this week.

Click to expand...

I don’t think I’d like to risk this, there is an open door here where end users can have three listings and purchase my names for a fraction of the listing price. I don’t think it will take long before it’s well known that this is an option and it will in the long run affect the overall sales to end users at end user pricing. I think I’ll respectively decline at this point to list any names in the wholesale marketplace and sit back and see what happens first.

GrantP said:

Excellent point - The Alexa ranking is based upon several estimates and tracking technologies which may not be very reliable. These days, tools such as SimilarWeb offer a bit more scientific view, but again these tools are based upon estimates. This is the reason, we reviewed our performance across 3 different tools with independent tracking technologies. The reason we used external tools is so that we can offer a more objective point of view from external tools that track and report this information publicly.

Let me check with our team if we are able to share some information directly from our own Google Analytics (due to competitive reasons, we do not typically share our internal numbers but your point is valid, and I will follow up with our team).

Click to expand...

I would suggest not to disclose Google analytics data.

I agree Alexa it's not a reliable source but let me tell you Alexa is something which tells how a market/website is growing.

Keep it up, you people already beating a lot of sales to your competitor. I have rumours of one of "*Small Brandable Marketplace" going to be sold.

GrantP said:

Excellent point - The Alexa ranking is based upon several estimates and tracking technologies which may not be very reliable. These days, tools such as SimilarWeb offer a bit more scientific view, but again these tools are based upon estimates. This is the reason, we reviewed our performance across 3 different tools with independent tracking technologies. The reason we used external tools is so that we can offer a more objective point of view from external tools that track and report this information publicly.

Let me check with our team if we are able to share some information directly from our own Google Analytics (due to competitive reasons, we do not typically share our internal numbers but your point is valid, and I will follow up with our team).

Click to expand...

Thank you for your detailed and to the point responses!

No need to expose any confidential info. Maybe something along the lines of percentage growth over a period of time, total visitors currently.

JudgeMind said:

I don’t think I’d like to risk this, there is an open door here where end users can have three listings and purchase my names for a fraction of the listing price. I don’t think it will take long before it’s well known that this is an option and it will in the long run affect the overall sales to end users at end user pricing. I think I’ll respectively decline at this point to list any names in the wholesale marketplace and sit back and see what happens first.

Click to expand...

My thoughts EXACTLY

I also noticed that SquadHelp on 1st position for many keywords.

Let me tell, You guys rock.

Edited:- Removed the image.

JudgeMind said:

I don’t think I’d like to risk this, there is an open door here where end users can have three listings and purchase my names for a fraction of the listing price. I don’t think it will take long before it’s well known that this is an option and it will in the long run affect the overall sales to end users at end user pricing. I think I’ll respectively decline at this point to list any names in the wholesale marketplace and sit back and see what happens first.

Click to expand...

It's always a good idea to take a more cautious approach especially if you are concerned about your wholesale prices being discovered by end users. Participation in this feature is entirely optional.

This feature is really intended for those sellers who want the additional flexibility of buying and selling their names to and from other fellow sellers. Of course, we don't recommend listing every domain in the portfolio at a wholesale price, but many sellers have contacted us about wanting to sell some of their names (especially those that are close to renewal) at a wholesale price to other sellers.

We believe getting 3 premium listings approved in our marketplace is not easy (especially for a casual end user) and on an average, this would require them to submit 25+ domains to get 3 listings approved. As a result, we believe this offers a much more secure environment than listing the names in an open marketplace where a simple Google search can lead to that page. Having said that, we will continue to monitor and may tighten the visibility requirements even more in future.

GrantP said:

It's always a good idea to take a more cautious approach especially if you are concerned about your wholesale prices being discovered by end users. Participation in this feature is entirely optional.

This feature is really intended for those sellers who want the additional flexibility of buying and selling their names to and from other fellow sellers. Of course, we don't recommend listing every domain in the portfolio at a wholesale price, but many sellers have contacted us about wanting to sell some of their names (especially those that are close to renewal) at a wholesale price to other sellers.

We believe getting 3 premium listings approved in our marketplace is not easy (especially for a casual end user) and on an average, this would require them to submit 25+ domains to get 3 listings approved. As a result, we believe this offers a much more secure environment than listing the names in an open marketplace where a simple Google search can lead to that page. Having said that, we will continue to monitor and may tighten the visibility requirements even more in future.

Click to expand...

I think the restrictions on the use of the wholesale marketplace should be tightened up right from launch. I think that this opportunity should be open to only those sellers who have won a contest, have sold a name on the marketplace or who have 10+ premium listings in their account. There is a potential to lose a lot of sales to end users who figure out they can buy names for $xx instead of $x,xxx. I think even if it took them 50 names to submit to get three approved it’s still going to save them a lot of $ in the end. How many buyers on your platform are repeat buyers? I’d say lots are, I think if they caught wind of this wholesale marketplace, they would take extra measures to reduce their overall expenses.

I’m just being very cautious with this because I see the potential for it to backfire given the current setup. I really enjoy squadhelp and everything your team has built.

JudgeMind said:

I think the restrictions on the use of the wholesale marketplace should be tightened up right from launch. I think that this opportunity should be open to only those sellers who have won a contest, have sold a name on the marketplace or who have 10+ premium listings in their account. There is a potential to lose a lot of sales to end users who figure out they can buy names for $xx instead of $x,xxx. I think even if it took them 50 names to submit to get three approved it’s still going to save them a lot of $ in the end. How many buyers on your platform are repeat buyers? I’d say lots are, I think if they caught wind of this wholesale marketplace, they would take extra measures to reduce their overall expenses.

I’m just being very cautious with this because I see the potential for it to backfire given the current setup. I really enjoy squadhelp and everything your team has built.

Click to expand...

I don't think an end-user going to do this. if they were being smart don't you think they simply made up one name like the listed name?

I am happy that SquadHelp doing outbox things, it is great for a small seller like me, sometimes we need to sell our names at wholesale price. putting a restriction as 30+ Plus name published then you get slack channel pass (its BP policy and I am not happy with this) or your ideas.

If someone gets to knew even this I can tell you the impact will be minimum and its always the buyer luck. As it will be the buyer who will decide to sell his name at wholesale price because he wanted the money. either he got it to by selling at wholesale price or at the premium price.

@GrantP I'm with @JudgeMind on this. Commoditization of domains will take a toll on $x,xxx sales. It's too big a risk to take.

If word gets out that domains are traded for $xx, one or two blog posts on this will hurt SH and its sellers alike.

@GrantP First of all, kudos on the growth and innovation. I sent a message using the blue button and asked to forward it to your marketplace team right after seeing the newsletter that pretty much echoes what JudgeMind had written. Having a wholesale marketplace has a potential to backfire. The knowledge that such a place exists can make end users feel like they have the option of paying $XX instead of $XXXX and that can't be good for their mind frame and for sales. Such trading is best done on the down low, as is the case with other marketplaces. If you do go ahead with it, I think it would be wise not to include help pages and/or other documentation about it. Either way, the intention is good so thanks for that.

@GrantP I think that having a dedicated sales thread here on namepros or another forum or slack channel would work well and limit squadhelps overhead. This would have to be a collaborative effort between namepros or another community, or a seperate atmosphere all together. SH could just put a few on transfers between seller account.. $5 per name transfer. After all the whole purpose of the Wholesale marketplace is to try to create additional revenue for SH.

Or via slack channel, as other marketplaces are doing. Someone puts on the dedicated channel the names and then there are pm negotiations on the price.

SuperBrander said:

The knowledge that such a place exists can make end users feel like they have the option of paying $XX instead of $XXXX and that can't be good for their mind frame and for sales. Such trading is best done on the down low,

Click to expand...

forget end-users,
worry about other domainers, as we will be the one's snatching up any crème and leaving the crap.

but same thing can happen on NP, GD, or any other marketplace, forum, venue, etc... if sellers are willing to take wholesale amounts for their names.

as is, most wtb threads are looking for wholesale, reseller, rock bottom, below the floor, deals anyway.

and at NP, there is no commission fee.

quality and appeal, will dictate what get sold, so I don't see the need to be sweatin

as for having to submit 25 names and get a certain amount of them approved for Premium listing, that seems like too many hoops to be jumping thru...just to participate.

imo...

@biggie I think there's quite a difference between people trading in a forum and a brandable marketplace creating a wholesale marketplace within its domain, including extensive explanations about its existence and actively making end users realize that some of the names that are offered to them are offered to domain investors for $XX instead of the $XXXX they're expected to pay.

Even if the jumping through hoops part will deter end users from trying to get 3 listings approved (BTW, I also think that number is too low, as other people have noted)- it still puts these end users in a place where instead of focusing on buying a domain, some would be questioning the value of the domains offered at the marketplace knowing that at least some are being offered and sold for $XX. Why not also show dates of registration for each listed domain? For the same reason. Giving end users that sort of information can devalue the worth of domains in the marketplace. In any brandable marketplace that has a lot of hand registrations and even in ones that don't... any information that can cause doubt for buyers isn't a good idea.

Thank you all for your feedback. Those who have been with our platform long enough can probably agree that our philosophy and approach has always been about making rapid enhancements and iterations to our features, based upon feedback from our community as well as how those features are being used.

This change is no different. This was added because many users asked for it. It is meant to be used as a more private alternative for sellers to trade/buy/sell some domains that they would have otherwise traded in external, more public channels. We will test it for some time, and will continue to make changes to ensure it offers a safe and private environment for everyone. If it still does not work as intended or if it dilutes the brandable Marketplace offering in any way, we will not hesitate to discontinue it.

GrantP said:

Thank you all for your feedback. Those who have been with our platform long enough can probably agree that our philosophy and approach has always been about making rapid enhancements and iterations to our features, based upon feedback from our community as well as how those features are being used.

This change is no different. This was added because many users asked for it. It is meant to be used as a more private alternative for sellers to trade/buy/sell some domains that they would have otherwise traded in external, more public channels. We will test it for some time, and will continue to make changes to ensure it offers a safe and private environment for everyone. If it still does not work as intended or if it dilutes the brandable Marketplace offering in any way, we will not hesitate to discontinue it.

Click to expand...

@GrantP I wonder if the average stats are just for premium listings or they include basic and basic plus listings of the same owner? Also, if they are not included, do you have some stats regarding basic and basic plus? I know that basic plus, they can't be shortlisted, so for sure the shortlists don't include basic plus listings, but I wonder what's the average STR for them and what's the ratio between premium and basic/basic plus sold domains. All the sold domains list advertised looks like premium listings, do you have some examples of basic/basic plus which were sold by SH? Thanks.

SuperBrander said:

@biggie I think there's quite a difference between people trading in a forum and a brandable marketplace creating a wholesale marketplace within its domain, including extensive explanations about its existence and actively making end users realize that some of the names that are offered to them are offered to domain investors for $XX instead of the $XXXX they're expected to pay.

Click to expand...

Hi

to me, there isn't much difference
premium here, premium there, premium everywhere.
lot of "premium listings" aren't premium at all, but many get psyched up about it.
most times when you get premium listing on a marketplace, you're paying for it
if it really was premium, you'd be getting "paid for it"

I've seen domainers say they have names published on bb, bp, etc.with $$$$ prices, and then they will post them for sale here for less than $25.

and...to expect an enduser or anybody else to pay $$$$ for a fresh hand reg, may be expecting too much

not trying to pour dirt on them but -
if one has that much concern that this wholesale marketplace will devalue domains, that you think should sell for more.... then why use it?

the lure is the news of "other sellers sales", but there is no guarantee your names or mine, would sell there

it just one of many platforms available, except they are offering a new type of pick and shovel.

dig it

imo...