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.

 

[silentg]

Same here. I shouldn't have to join DDC just to access self-brokerage.

@GoDaddy
Self-brokerage should've been rolled out like Auctions is. A small separate fee, so those who want to access it can. And those who don't need it - aren't forced to join a club. Auctions is fee based, separate, and outside DDC. Self-brokerage should be too (it can be part of DDC for those who want DDC) - but there should be a fee based option just like Auctions for those who do not.

Why a separate fee? You'll be paying the same commission rate. You're saving them money already by negotiating your own deal and not using their broker.

 

[DN_Hunter]

Regarding the BOOST program. What criteria makes a name eligible to be "Boosted"?
1) does the name have to have Afternic Servers?
2) does the name have to have a BIN Price?
3) does the name have to be opt-in for Fast Transfer?

Reason I am asking is a couple weeks ago I changed 99% of my portfolio (about 1,600 names) away from Afternic Servers to other platforms (ATOM, Namepros, DomainEasy, etc...). I kept all of my names listed at Afternic, but I removed ALL of the BIN Prices.

About 12 days ago I decided to turn on BOOST in my Afternic Account to see what type of extra inquiries I might get with Boost turned on. In the 12 days having Boost turned on, I have received ZERO leads. Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Crickets...

Not only that, I go to GoDaddy pretending I am looking for a domain name.
I own someword1.com (using "someword" in place of my actual domain name)
I do a search on someword1.NET (just to see if BOOST will show someword1.COM is available in their Boost Inventory). But nope, my someword1.com is never shown -- bunch of other extensions show, as well as 1someword.com, someword10.com, someword12.com. I tried this with a bunch of my names, and NEVER did Boost show my inventory.

So does BOOST only work if you have #'s 1, 2, 3 from above? And if so, how in the world does Afternic justify charging the BOOST 5% surcharge as well as the 10% Penalty for not having Afternic Servers???

Turning Boost off in my account now. I don't think it helped in any way with my names having non-afternic servers with no BIN prices.

 

[Andrut]

Hej @Afternic,

How will this work in practice? Do I need to select an option for a given domain indicating that I want to be the broker for it myself? Can I change my mind after receiving a lead and forward it to an Afternic broker? Thanks in advance.

 

[NameGroove]

Why a separate fee? You'll be paying the same commission rate. You're saving them money already by negotiating your own deal and not using their broker.

I'm just saying, if they felt a fee had to be part of it (the GoDaddy way) - it should be wrapped up in a $240 p/yr club. Auctions isn't. Self-brokerage shouldn't be either.

 

[NameGroove]

Regarding the BOOST program. What criteria makes a name eligible to be "Boosted"?
1) does the name have to have Afternic Servers?
2) does the name have to have a BIN Price?
3) does the name have to be opt-in for Fast Transfer?

Reason I am asking is a couple weeks ago I changed 99% of my portfolio (about 1,600 names) away from Afternic Servers to other platforms (ATOM, Namepros, DomainEasy, etc...). I kept all of my names listed at Afternic, but I removed ALL of the BIN Prices.

About 12 days ago I decided to turn on BOOST in my Afternic Account to see what type of extra inquiries I might get with Boost turned on. In the 12 days having Boost turned on, I have received ZERO leads. Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Crickets...

Not only that, I go to GoDaddy pretending I am looking for a domain name.
I own someword1.com (using "someword" in place of my actual domain name)
I do a search on someword1.NET (just to see if BOOST will show someword1.COM is available in their Boost Inventory). But nope, my someword1.com is never shown -- bunch of other extensions show, as well as 1someword.com, someword10.com, someword12.com. I tried this with a bunch of my names, and NEVER did Boost show my inventory.

So does BOOST only work if you have #'s 1, 2, 3 from above? And if so, how in the world does Afternic justify charging the BOOST 5% surcharge as well as the 10% Penalty for not having Afternic Servers???

Turning Boost off in my account now. I don't think it helped in any way with my names having non-afternic servers with no BIN prices.

You have to point NS to Afternic and you must have BINs enabled. FT is not required, but suggested (probably because not all registrars are FT partners)

https://help.afternic.com/s/article/Afternic-Boost-FAQs

 

[DN_Hunter]

You have to point NS to Afternic and you must have BINs enabled. FT is not required, but suggested (probably because not all registrars are FT partners)

https://help.afternic.com/s/article/Afternic-Boost-FAQs

Interesting that it says:

How can I optimize my portfolio for Boost?
There are three things that every seller can do to maximize the effectiveness of Boost:

Instead of to maximize the effectiveness, it should really say these things are required otherwise your names have no shot at being presented to the buyer but we will still charge you extra anyway...

 

[GoDaddy]

Regarding the BOOST program. What criteria makes a name eligible to be "Boosted"?
1) does the name have to have Afternic Servers?
2) does the name have to have a BIN Price?
3) does the name have to be opt-in for Fast Transfer?

Reason I am asking is a couple weeks ago I changed 99% of my portfolio (about 1,600 names) away from Afternic Servers to other platforms (ATOM, Namepros, DomainEasy, etc...). I kept all of my names listed at Afternic, but I removed ALL of the BIN Prices.

About 12 days ago I decided to turn on BOOST in my Afternic Account to see what type of extra inquiries I might get with Boost turned on. In the 12 days having Boost turned on, I have received ZERO leads. Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Crickets...

Not only that, I go to GoDaddy pretending I am looking for a domain name.
I own someword1.com (using "someword" in place of my actual domain name)
I do a search on someword1.NET (just to see if BOOST will show someword1.COM is available in their Boost Inventory). But nope, my someword1.com is never shown -- bunch of other extensions show, as well as 1someword.com, someword10.com, someword12.com. I tried this with a bunch of my names, and NEVER did Boost show my inventory.

So does BOOST only work if you have #'s 1, 2, 3 from above? And if so, how in the world does Afternic justify charging the BOOST 5% surcharge as well as the 10% Penalty for not having Afternic Servers???

Turning Boost off in my account now. I don't think it helped in any way with my names having non-afternic servers with no BIN prices.

Hi @DN_Hunter,
Buy it Now pricing is a key component of Boost, with priced names showing in GoDaddy's suggested search results. However, "verified" tags will continue to display on exact-match searches, regardless of whether you've set Buy it Now prices or not.

Hej @Afternic,

How will this work in practice? Do I need to select an option for a given domain indicating that I want to be the broker for it myself? Can I change my mind after receiving a lead and forward it to an Afternic broker? Thanks in advance.

Hi @Andrut,
To set Self-Brokerage as your default option, head to Account Settings, and toggle “Make Offer” leads from our brokerage team, to yourself.

Once set, for any domains using the Custom Lander with the "Make Offer" field, you'll receive inbound offers directly to your Self-Brokerage page.

 

[Future Sensors]

"When sellers have self-brokerage enabled, prospective buyers who wish to submit an offer will need to sign-in to a GoDaddy account to proceed or create a new GoDaddy account."

https://domaininvesting.com/small-hurdle-for-prospects-when-afternic-self-brokerage-is-enabled/

 

[bmugford]

"When sellers have self-brokerage enabled, prospective buyers who wish to submit an offer will need to sign-in to a GoDaddy account to proceed or create a new GoDaddy account."

https://domaininvesting.com/small-hurdle-for-prospects-when-afternic-self-brokerage-is-enabled/

Not really a big fan of that.

I guess the problem is sooner or later they will need an account to complete a transaction.

Still, asking to login to make an offer is not real appealing.

Brad

 

[D Haynes]

Sounds like another GD shit show.

I'd love to know the thoughts of the experienced heads at GD.Do they honestly think they're doing anything of any substance? Are they proud of the products they release? Or are they as I suspect, utterly ashamed of what the company has become.

Anyone from GD that says they're taking positive steps is either a liar or mentally unwell.

It's no exaggeration to say I know children that could run AN better than their current team.

 

[bmugford]

I have been waiting for self-brokerage for a long time now.

I will look more into this later tonight, but at first glance it doesn't really seem like what I was expecting.

Brad

 

[End Game]

Not really a big fan of that.

I guess the problem is sooner or later they will need an account to complete a transaction.

Still, asking to login to make an offer is not real appealing.

Brad

So with using a broker, potential buyer has to submit their first and second name, email and phone number.

With self broker they have to sign into their GD account or open a new one.

Neither is perfect.

 

[bmugford]

We’re introducing the latest feature for domain name sellers: Self-Brokerage. This innovative system combines the best of Afternic, Uniregistry, and Dan.com, allowing you to choose to directly negotiate with buyers from Custom Lander leads.

Exclusively available to members of GoDaddy’s Discount Domain Club’s top tier, this DIY option puts you in the driver’s seat of your domain deals.

Setting up Self-Brokerage at Afternic:
We work with domain investors of all experience levels and want to ensure smooth, successful negotiations for both buyers and sellers.
Approximately 100,000 members have access to Self-Brokerage already, as members of Discount Domain Club’s highest tier. To begin using Self-Brokerage:

Connect your account

1. Head to the Afternic.com, and click "Sign in." Then, click "Sign in with GoDaddy"
2. You’ll be prompted to sign in to your GoDaddy account. Use your GoDaddy username and password associated with your DDC membership to sign in
3. Next, click "Continue" on the "Connect your account to Afternic" page
4. Select "Link my existing account." Sign-in with your Afternic credentials. After successful sign-in, your Afternic account will be linked to your GoDaddy account
5. You’ll then be redirected back to Afternic, where the Self-Brokerage platform will now be accessible

Begin receiving leads

1. Go to Account Settings, and toggle “Make Offer” leads from our brokerage team, to yourself.
2. Use Custom Lander, with “Make Offer”: Switch your domain’s landers to our popular Custom Lander and ensure that your domains have Make Offer set to display.

Head to our blog to learn more about Self-Brokerage, connecting your account, and more.

You can also check out our FAQs for more information.

I have not had a chance to test the new system yet, but I thought a domain had to be priced to use the "custom lander".

Is that not the case?

I just want a lander where people can make an offer. I don't want to have to price domains if I don't want to.

Brad

 

[ARCCLOUD]

This does not make sense unless you were already enrolled. You pay $240 a year to "self broker" your own domains and the commission stays the same?

 

[br1ll1on]

Users: we are not happy with the brokerage, we want to do the negotiations ourselves
GD: well you'll have to pay us extra to reduce our workload

you cannot make this s*** up

 

[D Haynes]

I have been waiting for self-brokerage for a long time now.

I will look more into this later tonight, but at first glance it doesn't really seem like what I was expecting.

Brad

I think this is one of the major issues with GD.

They have "form" doing this... announce a new product is coming soon with great fanfare then when it's released its nothing like what they said it would be, costs the user more money, doesn’t give you anything more for that extra money (if anything it has a negative effect) and doesn't work properly/smoothly.

It erodes what little trust you have left in GD. I mean who in their right might would trust them with their money when they can't even make the most of their own.

I can't really see what the upside is with selling name through AN anymore. You can get vastly superior products at cheaper prices elsewhere. From a domainers (mine anyway) point of view they no longer have anything to offer.

 

[GoDaddy]

I have not had a chance to test the new system yet, but I thought a domain had to be priced to use the "custom lander".

Is that not the case?

I just want a lander where people can make an offer. I don't want to have to price the domains.

Brad

Hi Brad,
First, ensure you head to Account Settings, and toggle “Make Offer” leads from our brokerage team, to yourself.

Once that's done, yes - you have options with the Custom Lander, including "Make Offer." Select "Make Offer," and leads will start directing to your Self-Brokerage area at afternic.com/negotiations.

 

[End Game]

Hi Brad,
First, ensure you head to Account Settings, and toggle “Make Offer” leads from our brokerage team, to yourself.

Once that's done, yes - you have options with the Custom Lander, including "Make Offer." Select "Make Offer," and leads will start directing to your Self-Brokerage area at afternic.com/negotiations.
Show attachment 272502

So, I have to delete my custom lander with "buy now, LTO and make offer" first and just use "make offer" custom lander? If so, this really sucks?

"To receive Self-Brokering leads, you also need to enable "Make Offer" in the Lander Settings via the Custom Lander option. Do this for any domains you want to Self-Broker."

 

[GoDaddy]

So, I have to delete my custom lander with "buy now, LTO and make offer" first and just use "make offer" custom lander? If so, this really sucks?

"To receive Self-Brokering leads, you also need to enable "Make Offer" in the Lander Settings via the Custom Lander option. Do this for any domains you want to Self-Broker."

As long as you're displaying a "Make Offer" option on the Custom Lander - whether that's Buy it Now + Make Offer, Buy it now + Lease to Own + Make Offer, or Make Offer, you're all set.

 

[Lox]