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.

 

[Acroplex]

Basically, DAN listings with a BIN that were forced onto Afternic are now being treated like bastard siblings. No option for Afternic Boost and no way to ensure that said listings aren't going to be charged 20% through some further sneaky "boosting". Just let us know at least 30 days prior to shutting down DAN.

 

[silentg]

The tools and services of Boost aim to increase the sales performance of your portfolio. If increased exposure, visibility, email promotions and other proven tactics we know work for selling domain names don’t fit in your strategy, then Boost might not be the right solution for you.

The tone suggests a lack of willingness to adapt the program based on seller feedback.

 

[Mkt Sales Leads]

Basically, DAN listings with a BIN that were forced onto Afternic are now being treated like bastard siblings. No option for Afternic Boost and no way to ensure that said listings aren't going to be charged 20% through some further sneaky "boosting". Just let us know at least 30 days prior to shutting down DAN.

Isn't this resolved by deleting the Dan listing, add it on Afternic, then restate the Dan listing (if one desires)?

 

[Acroplex]

Isn't this resolved by deleting the Dan listing, add it on Afternic, then restate the Dan listing (if one desires)?

Sounds like ancient Rome, where symposiums involved eating gargantuan meals only to induce vomiting in order to eat some more. Why jump through hoops and use hacks instead of having a logical flow for a product's regular use?

Afternic has failed domain investors in multiple ways. I can't "wait" to see how many of my DAN listings will end up there again once I delete my DAN account.

 

[Edukar]

@GoDaddy What you are suggesting is unacceptable. You impose an extra service automatically. If you boost all domains, there will be no increase in sales. All domains will be on an equal footing, as they are now. Your marketers have come up with a scheme to enrich themselves by 5% more without doing anything. I hope the USA Federal antimonopoly service will take care of your company ASAP.

 

[NameGroove]

@GoDaddy What you are suggesting is unacceptable. You impose an extra service automatically. If you boost all domains, there will be no increase in sales. All domains will be on an equal footing, as they are now. Your marketers have come up with a scheme to enrich themselves by 5% more without doing anything.

This is a fact. @GoDaddy If all forced opt-ed in users remain opt-ed in, then by definition there can be no boost for anyone. Had you rolled out via "opt-in" the subset of domainers who opted in would actually receive a boost. But the way you've chosen to roll out the program can only result in a very small boost that does not mirror your testing. It cannot mirror your testing, because in your test you had a control group that was not boosted. The way you've chosen to roll out the feature has only a very small (opt-ed out) group which means it cannot result in the same percentage lift you saw in your tests. The person who rolled out the program missed this vital piece of information. I think you should re-think how the program is to be rolled out so those who are "opt-ed in" will receive a true boost.

 

[Domain Research Labs]

Whoever is in charge of the secondary market at GD is seriously clueless, they have taken one bad decision after the other, it's like their whole team has never bought or sold a domain name in their life, I have reduced my business with GD by 90% or more and I am sure I am not alone, they simply keep making it harder and harder to do business with them. I am sure this will create other opportunities in the long run as it won't be long until someone else capitalizes on this incompetency to fulfill the void GD is creating, because at this rate I really doubt that anyone at GD will make any decisions that will be beneficial for investors (and ultimately their company).

 

[D Haynes]

This is a fact. @GoDaddy If all forced opt-ed in users remain opt-ed in, then by definition there can be no boost for anyone. Had you rolled out via "opt-in" the subset of domainers who opted in would actually receive a boost. But the way you've chosen to roll out the program can only result in a very small boost that does not mirror your testing. It cannot mirror your testing, because in your test you had a control group that was not boosted. The way you've chosen to roll out the feature has only a very small (opt-ed out) group which means it cannot result in the same percentage lift you saw in your tests. The person who rolled out the program missed this vital piece of information. I think you should re-think how the program is to be rolled out so those who are "opt-ed in" will receive a true boost.

If everything changes in the same way, there is no change other than the extra 5% fee you have to pay but sshhhhhhh.

 

[NicTraders]

The person who rolled out the program missed this vital piece of information.

By mistake, or on purpose, I wonder...

 

[freety85]

@GoDaddy please ask dev team to fix this.

Custom lander : not supported extensions like .fi, .ae, .ml etc when you click on the buy now button it gives you an error :

On the other hand when the Afternic listed not supported extensions searched at Godaddy reg path it shows as unavailable.

This way you will have hard time to facilitate Afternic purchases on these extensions, the current only solution is to use price request lander so the broker can make buyers go through the checkout process. Thanks

 

[GoDaddy]

This is a fact. @GoDaddy If all forced opt-ed in users remain opt-ed in, then by definition there can be no boost for anyone. Had you rolled out via "opt-in" the subset of domainers who opted in would actually receive a boost. But the way you've chosen to roll out the program can only result in a very small boost that does not mirror your testing. It cannot mirror your testing, because in your test you had a control group that was not boosted. The way you've chosen to roll out the feature has only a very small (opt-ed out) group which means it cannot result in the same percentage lift you saw in your tests. The person who rolled out the program missed this vital piece of information. I think you should re-think how the program is to be rolled out so those who are "opt-ed in" will receive a true boost.

Thank you for sharing your perspective, @NameGroove! While we appreciate the different viewpoints, it's important to note that domain names are unique assets, and the features of Boost are designed to enhance the visibility and exposure of individual domain names. This includes suggested search result inclusion, exact-match search badges, lander badges, and email campaign inclusion, all of which can collectively contribute to a sales performance boost for your portfolio.

@GoDaddy please ask dev team to fix this.

Custom lander : not supported extensions like .fi, .ae, .ml etc when you click on the buy now button it gives you an error :

Show attachment 260849
On the other hand when the Afternic listed not supported extensions searched at Godaddy reg path it shows as unavailable.

Show attachment 260850
This way you will have hard time to facilitate Afternic purchases on these extensions, the current only solution is to use price request lander so the broker can make buyers go through the checkout process. Thanks

Hi @freety85
Thank you for your feedback; since GoDaddy doesn't support the .fi TLD, transactions involving this extension can't be loaded into the GoDaddy cart. We've escalated this issue to our development team for further review.

 

[davidc1]

Thank you for sharing your perspective, @NameGroove! While we appreciate the different viewpoints, it's important to note that domain names are unique assets, and the features of Boost are designed to enhance the visibility and exposure of individual domain names. This includes suggested search result inclusion, exact-match search badges, lander badges, and email campaign inclusion, all of which can collectively contribute to a sales performance boost for your portfolio.



Hi @freety85
Thank you for your feedback; since GoDaddy doesn't support the .fi TLD, transactions involving this extension can't be loaded

A Boost means if we choose using the boost we'll make more sales, if we dont we'll make as many sales as now.
Please confirm @GoDaddy
If it's not the case, this is not a boost !

 

[Future Sensors]

A Boost means if we choose using the boost we'll make more sales, if we dont we'll make as many sales as now.
Please confirm @GoDaddy
If it's not the case, this is not a boost !

In the other NamePros thread about Afternic Boost and on Twitter, the current consensus is that most Afternic Sellers will opt-out of this new feature. Including Michael Cyger, former Director of Education - Domains at GoDaddy.

 

[Future Sensors]

 

[davidc1]

In the other NamePros thread about Afternic Boost and on Twitter, the current consensus is that most Sellers will opt-out of this new feature. Including Michael Cyger, former Director Education - Domains at GoDaddy.

It's not an answer to my question. Anyway, you can be sure that all sellers who optout will re-optin if they'll loose too much and it could be the case...

 

[Future Sensors]

It's not an answer to my question.

I'm not working at Afternic, answers have to be provided by them. In the other thread, lots of valuable insights from other Afternic Sellers have been posted.

Will you remain opt-in, or have you decided to opt-out for your portfolio?

 

[davidc1]

I'm not working at Afternic, answers have to be provided by them. In the other thread, lots of valuable insights from other Afternic Sellers have been posted. Will you remain opt-in or have you decided to opt-out for your portfolio?

i opt-out, but things will change at the beginning of September i think.
But i'm sure to lose a lot if they decide to not show the exact .com domain for an exact match without tld search and it seems it'll be (no answer from my manager for the moment)

If that's the case, I'll make a split test with/without afternic to be sure i could/could_not avoid afternic...

 

[Future Sensors]

email promotions

This is actively asking for UDRP accidents to happen with domains that are not yours. Who is responsible for this risk?

 

[Recons.Com]

I'm not working at Afternic, answers have to be provided by them. In the other thread, lots of valuable insights from other Afternic Sellers have been posted.

Will you remain opt-in, or have you decided to opt-out for your portfolio?

He is asking something completely different. I have also asked it and GD is ignoring the question so far.

Basically, we are trying to figure out if Godaddy will punish those opting out and their sales will go down.

Think of it as an index. Let's say the trailing 12 month average is 100.

Now when GD says boost will be up to 10% more than non-boost, does it mean it will 100 vs 110 or 95 vs 105 (or 90 vs 100)?

 

[Future Sensors]

GD is ignoring the question so far

Probably also due to the weekend. It's Monday now and I expect Afternic to come up with a more substantial response to all the turmoil that has arisen after the Boost announcement. That could be a start to restoring trust.