Afternic - Official Thread

[GoDaddy]

Hello NamePros!
By popular demand, we have launched a dedicated feedback thread for Afternic, the GoDaddy-owned domain name marketplace.

We have created this thread as a way for you to tell us what works, what doesn't work, and what features you'd like to see at Afternic (please be constructive with your feedback). We're looking forward to hearing from the domain investment community to help us shape the future of Afternic.

We will also be sharing Afternic product updates in this thread.

Please note that this thread is not meant for support. Please email our support team at [email protected] for assistance.

 

[King]

During our initial experiment, we found that surprisingly, the phone number wasn't particularly helpful to buyers and didn't improve conversion rates.

So the phone number helps on BIN landers, but not custom landers?

 

[Garet]

So the phone number helps on BIN landers, but not custom landers?

In general, I would expect including the phone number would help conversions. Having a phone number that lands in a place where brokers are already overworked and backed up might be the problem. Given that so many people are reporting neglected leads does not give me confidence that inbound calls are handled with great attention and efficiency.

 

[King]

A deeper integration into the GoDaddy investor ecosystem means reducing the friction between GoDaddy and Afternic by bringing a closer connection between the two.

This includes making sure that if a domain name is in your GoDaddy account, it will not require additional nameserver or TXT verification to list it for sale at Afternic.

I have found it perplexing that I have to verify domains that are in my GD account. Good to see this being addressed.

Source: https://blog.afternic.com/meet-afternic-product-manager/

 

[campout]

My daily Afternic FT names stopped arriving since Feb 15.

This happened to me also starting Feb 15. Like you, I reached out to my account manager and he sent all the opt-ins.

However, I just realized it started happening again. After getting the emails for a few days, I now haven't gotten any since March 5.

The Afternic blog post about Fast Transfer Resubmission Tool was on March 6, so maybe the testing and rollout of that tool is what is breaking the emails.

 

[GoDaddy]

Hi @GoDaddy, not sure if this feature was requested already, but I believe the completed lease to own transactions should be moved to the sold section and they also to be included in the revenue generated field. It would make sense also if uncompleted LTO´s are featured here ( since some revenue was generated ). Alternatively divide the two sections and revenue generated via LTO and also for completed sales. What´s your take on this?

Hi @freety85,
This is something we can check with our product team. We'll DM you later this week.

it will be better if a like icon is added on domains, like that at least we can know if there is any interested buyer for our domains.

Hi @Abdelapp,
The general idea of additional social proof to see whether this influences impulse lander purchases is interesting - we'll share with the team.

In general, I would expect including the phone number would help conversions. Having a phone number that lands in a place where brokers are already overworked and backed up might be the problem. Given that so many people are reporting neglected leads does not give me confidence that inbound calls are handled with great attention and efficiency.

Hi @Garet,
That was our hypothesis for the Custom Lander phone number, too. Which is why we'll be retesting this later in the year.

I have found it perplexing that I have to verify domains that are in my GD account. Good to see this being addressed.

Source: https://blog.afternic.com/meet-afternic-product-manager/

Thanks, @King! Yes - this was popular feedback from our sellers, and we'll be looking to update that process this year. Thanks for reading this interview!

This happened to me also starting Feb 15. Like you, I reached out to my account manager and he sent all the opt-ins.

However, I just realized it started happening again. After getting the emails for a few days, I now haven't gotten any since March 5.

The Afternic blog post about Fast Transfer Resubmission Tool was on March 6, so maybe the testing and rollout of that tool is what is breaking the emails.

Hi @campout,
Please feel free to share these current examples with us via DM. As you mention - the Fast Transfer resubmission tool can assist you in re-running the activation process, too.

 

[Optinom]

@GoDaddy There's a deal currently pending. The lead came via Brokerage request from a buyer, and the Godaddy broker reached out to me via email. (So it's not an Afternic broker).

The name in consideration is within the 60-day registry lock. As mentioned in the below link, Afternic TA team gives two options to buyers : 1. Get the domain in current registry or 2. Wait for 60 days
https://www.namepros.com/threads/fi...main-transfer-questions.1336391/#post-9263398

However for transactions via Godaddy brokers, is option #1 available at all? The broker says "Waiting for 60-days" is the only option.

 

[kor]

That was our hypothesis for the Custom Lander phone number, too. Which is why we'll be retesting this later in the year.

I wonder how you tested this?

Technically, if there is a phone number on the screen, they make a call. If not, they don't. At this point, what exactly did you infer by directly removing the number without A/B testing?

Displaying a phone number always builds trust and creates impulse. Marketing 101.

 

[DomainRecap]

There's a deal currently pending. The lead came via Brokerage request from a buyer, and the Godaddy broker reached out to me via email. (So it's not an Afternic broker).

As this is a Brokerage Request, I would confirm that the buyer is handling the commission and not you.

 

[Future Sensors]

Having removed all domain landers from Afternic in the past, I plan to cautiously reintroduce a few of my domains onto Afternic Custom Landers again, ensuring they are configured with ns5 and ns6. This only concerns a limited number of my domains, because I'm also very satisfied with other innovative platforms, and my best domains now have landers there.

Wish me luck with this endeavor.
Thanks for understanding.

 

[Optinom]

Having removed all domain landers from Afternic in the past, I plan to cautiously reintroduce a few of my domains onto Afternic Custom Landers again, ensuring they are configured with ns5 and ns6. This only concerns a limited number of my domains, because I'm also very satisfied with other innovative platforms, and my best domains now have landers there.

Wish me luck with this endeavor.
Thanks for understanding.

I'm trying this with Atom landing pages on some of my domains.

Mind sharing the results of your experience? Like what % sales are coming from the landing pages vs Afternic now , after shifting the landers

 

[Jannes]

Having removed all domain landers from Afternic in the past, I plan to cautiously reintroduce a few of my domains onto Afternic Custom Landers again, ensuring they are configured with ns5 and ns6. This only concerns a limited number of my domains, because I'm also very satisfied with other innovative platforms, and my best domains now have landers there.

Wish me luck with this endeavor.
Thanks for understanding.

Life got too easy?

 

[Jannes]

@GoDaddy
Can your brokers (or some automation) please stop following up with existing leads, when the domains in question are unlisted. Thank you.

 

[Optimal Names]

Having removed all domain landers from Afternic in the past, I plan to cautiously reintroduce a few of my domains onto Afternic Custom Landers again, ensuring they are configured with ns5 and ns6. This only concerns a limited number of my domains, because I'm also very satisfied with other innovative platforms, and my best domains now have landers there.

Wish me luck with this endeavor.
Thanks for understanding.

I did just that the other day. I will write more about my interesting experience in a bit when time permits. Lookm forward to reading your experience with it

 

[DomainRecap]

It looks like D-Day for the Self-Brokerage system is fast approaching, and hopefullly @GoDaddy has some updates on the promised 4th Quarter 2024 1st Quarter 2025 launch.

We're about halfway through March and still no response on where the Self-Brokerage System development is right now, and whether @GoDaddy will hit their revised 1st Quarter 2025 release date.

Time is ticking boyz!

 

[silentg]

I asked GoDaddy on Twitter/X, self brokerage is at beta testing stage.

 

[DomainRecap]

I asked GoDaddy on Twitter/X, self brokerage is at beta testing stage.

Yeah, I think they mentioned that on NP about a month ago.

Only 16 shopping days til Self-Brokerage!

 

[silentg]

In GoDaddy Account: Self Brokerage

https://twitter.com/x/status/1901602520918556675

 

[DomainRecap]

Only 14 shopping days til Self-Brokerage on Afternic.

 

[GoDaddy]

@GoDaddy
Can your brokers (or some automation) please stop following up with existing leads, when the domains in question are unlisted. Thank you.

Hi @Jannes,
Could you DM us an active example?

We're about halfway through March and still no response on where the Self-Brokerage System development is right now, and whether @GoDaddy will hit their revised 1st Quarter 2025 release date.

Time is ticking boyz!

We see your self-brokerage posts, @DomainRecap! We're due to launch the first iteration very soon...

 

[DomainRecap]

We see your self-brokerage posts, @DomainRecap! We're due to launch the first iteration very soon...

I'll be awaiting its release with bated breath.