Alter.com Marketplace

[Deven Patel]

Hi all,

I wanted to introduce a new premium domain marketplace we just launched called Alter. I would love to hear your thoughts! As the world’s largest community of domainers, your feedback would be invaluable.

Let me introduce myself. Although I’m new to NamePros, I’ve been around the block. I’ve been buying and selling domains for my own startup ideas for over 20 years. As a serial entrepreneur, I founded a number of startups across various industries like marketing, web hosting, social networking, blogging, and SaaS. This experience has helped me understand how indispensable a brand name is to a business.

Most new entrepreneurs don’t think twice about their company name. Our goal is to change that! A brand name literally has the power to make or break their business. This is more true today than ever before now that there are countless alternatives to every product or service imaginable. Sure, every business may have their own world-changing differentiator but from the outside they all look the same at which point the main differentiator ends up becoming their brand name. In a world full of distractions, we no longer have the attention span to thoroughly research what we buy so we rely on our emotions. This is why large businesses like Apple and Amazon spend billions on their “brand” alone because they understand that customer perception is everything.

Anyway, I noticed that most marketplaces that exist today are focused more on the seller rather than the buyer. Our goal is to reverse the equation and prioritize buyers because I think they are the key to success in any industry. The domain industry is no exception. Without buyers, there’s no money. This is why we’ve made it our mission to help entrepreneurs succeed!

And what’s with the 30-35% commission rate most of these marketplaces are charging? Unless they’re doing more work than a human broker, I don’t think anything over the industry average of 15-20% is warranted. We’re changing that. Alter has one of the lowest rates in the industry, an all-inclusive 10% commission fee when a name sells. There are no other fees or restrictions.

What do you think? Are we on the right track or barking up the wrong tree?

Deven

This was a promoted post.​

 

[Charybdis]

I think the default broad match search is not good. Previously hand-vetted premium domains appear at a very low position for some keywords, even if the domain name actually contains the keyword.

So just search for a keyword using the default broad match option, then change the search settings from "broad" to "contains". For a lot of keywords you will see that domains which were manually approved as premium domains before only appear if you select the "contains" filter.

But if the domain name actually contains the search keyword, then I think even in case of the broad match search, you should prioritize those domains which contain the search keyword.

I think the search works better on BrandBucket. On BrandBucket the default option is the broad match, too. But BrandBucket will prioritize those domains which contain the search keyword.

I think if someone is searching for "golf", then first and foremost the searcher is interested in domains which actually contain the word "golf".

I know that the visitors can switch from broad to contains, but how many people will do that? I think the default broad match search function should display more relevant domains.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Is this true? We have to keep the DNS pointing to Alter even after verifying our domains?

Yes, as far as I know it is true. Their check will detect if you move the DNS pointers.

 

[Charybdis]

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

Wish I had known about that earlier!

So where do you host your landing pages which is cheaper than paying the 10% success fee to Alter?

I did the math and I couldn't find a better option for domain name landing pages than Alter.

If you want to accept credit cards and PayPal, then that alone will cost you 3-5% processing fees or maybe even more. And don't forget chargeback handling and you are responsible for preventing credit card fraud, too.

And please also post a proper terms of service and privacy policy document, you will need it (GDPR, CCPA) if you want to accept payments. So either hire a lawyer or use a legal service (both will cost you money).

 

[NorthernDomains]

I think the default broad match search is not good. Previously hand-vetted premium domains appear at a very low position for some keywords, even if the domain name actually contains the keyword.

So just search for a keyword using the default broad match option, then change the search settings from "broad" to "contains". For a lot of keywords you will see that domains which were manually approved as premium domains before only appear if you select the "contains" filter.

But if the domain name actually contains the search keyword, then I think even in case of the broad match search, you should prioritize those domains which contain the search keyword.

I think the search works better on BrandBucket. On BrandBucket the default option is the broad match, too. But BrandBucket will prioritize those domains which contain the search keyword.

I think if someone is searching for "golf", then first and foremost the searcher is interested in domains which actually contain the word "golf".

I know that the visitors can switch from broad to contains, but how many people will do that? I think the default broad match search function should display more relevant domains.

Their search is obviously broken. Using either contains or starts, ends with search term and nothing shows up on the first page. Not a single domain with the correct term.

 

[Dane]

So where do you host your landing pages which is cheaper than paying the 10% success fee to Alter?

Isn't it 20% with Alter? But even if it is 10%, Dan is only 9% and Squadhelp is only 7.5% for standard names. So, both of those are cheaper than paying the success fee to Alter. Right, or no?

 

[Future Sensors]

Isn't it 20% with Alter? But even if it is 10%, Dan is only 9% and Squadhelp is only 7.5% for standard names. So, both of those are cheaper than paying the success fee to Alter. Right, or no?

This basic information is on the Alter website. Have you looked before you started using their services?

 

[Dane]

This basic information is on the Alter website. Have you looked before you started using their services?

I was replying to Charybdis's comment. Did you look at his post before replying to mine?

 

[Future Sensors]

I was replying to Charybdis's comment. Did you look at his post before replying to mine?

I was replying to your comment "Isn't it 20% with Alter?"

 

[Bob Hawkes]

But even if it is 10%, Dan is only 9% and Squadhelp is only 7.5% for standard names. So, both of those are cheaper than paying the success fee to Alter. Right, or no?

It is 10%, so yes the ones you mention are marginally lower.

Keep in mind, though, that Alter promote your individual names - I have seen ads that included my names.

SquadHelp do that a lot for your premium listings (at about 30% com plus submission coin) but not for standard listings in your white label marketplace.

As far as I know, Dan do not do advertising on individual names beyond finding on their marketplace and a few featured sellers and names on that.

The style of listing is different as well. The basic logo if optimized may be an advantage at Alter. Although, I like the visual image at SH a lot, which is free as well. And at Dan you can upload a professional logo for names, as you can at Alter.

But the big thing is how many eyes find your domain names. White label at SH you are basically on your own getting people to your listings by direct type-in or though your promotion of your WL place.

At Dan, there are an increasing number of searchers, but it seems the majority still type in.

Alter also has a way to go getting people to view your names, but you can at least track how many are finding your name though the marketplace (I guess through Google Analytics could know that at Dan too).

Don't get me wrong, I like both SH WL (and use it for my Canadian related names) and Dan (lots of my domain names are listed there).

For me the few percent is not a deciding factor. But it is not a simple comparison between marketplaces, as each offer something different.

I am glad that we have Alter, Dan and SH WL (as well as other options). All 3 offer quality services at very reasonable commission, and are constantly innovating.

Bob

 

[Dane]

It is 10%, so yes the ones you mention are marginally lower.

Keep in mind, though, that Alter promote your individual names - I have seen ads that included my names.

SquadHelp do that a lot for your premium listings (at about 30% com plus submission coin) but not for standard listings in your white label marketplace.

As far as I know, Dan do not do advertising on individual names beyond finding on their marketplace and a few featured sellers and names on that.

The style of listing is different as well. The basic logo if optimized may be an advantage at Alter. Although, I like the visual image at SH a lot, which is free as well.

But the big thing is how many eyes find your domain names. White label at SH you are basically on your own getting people to your listings by direct type-in or though your promotion of your WL place.

At Dan, there are an increasing number of searchers, but it seems the majority still type in.

Alter also has a way to go getting people to view your names, but you can at least track how many are finding your name though the marketplace (I guess through Google Analytics could know that at Dan too).

Don't get me wrong, I like both SH WL (and use it for my Canadian related names) and Dan (lots of my domain names are listed there).

For me the few percent is not a deciding factor. But it is not a simple comparison as each offer something different.

I am glad that we have Alter, Dan and SH WL (as well as other options). All 3 offer quality, services.

Bob

I was simply responding to Charybdis' question, which was "So where do you host your landing pages which is cheaper than paying the 10% success fee to Alter?" The answer to that question is Dan and Squadhelp.

I already added close to 400 names to Alter, but I didn't know that the DNS has to remain there. You might be right about the eyeballs, but I'm not ready yet to leave the DNS with Alter. Frankly it's a shame (in my opinion) that this DNS requirement is in place, since I'd love to give Alter a shot. Oh well.

 

[Future Sensors]

You're so harsh, @Dane. But why? Alter is great and they promote your domains way beyond the Alter website itself.

 

[Dane]

You're so harsh, @Dane. But why? Alter is great and they promote your domains way beyond the Alter website itself.

Really? Harsh? I'm just being completely honest. I'm not familiar enough with Alter, so I'm not yet comfortable keeping the DNS with them. Isn't that fair? I don't have to keep the DNS with Dan. I don't have to keep the DNS with Afternic. I don't have to keep the DNS with Sedo. I don't have to keep the DNS with Squadhelp. Why should I have to keep the DNS with Alter? This isn't being harsh. This is being honest.

 

[Future Sensors]

@Dane Wish you good sales.

 

[Dane]

@Dane Wish you good sales.

Thanks. Same to you.

 

[Dane]

One LAST question, then I'll leave you guys alone (I know when I'm not wanted )

Does Alter offer a white label marketplace?

 

[Future Sensors]

I know when I'm not wanted

That's not true

I'm not aware of any whitelabel options for Alter.

 

[Dane]

I'm not aware of any whitelabel options for Alter.

Bummer. Okay, thanks.

 

[Charybdis]

Isn't it 20% with Alter? But even if it is 10%, Dan is only 9% and Squadhelp is only 7.5% for standard names. So, both of those are cheaper than paying the success fee to Alter. Right, or no?

Alter charges 10% and they promote your domain as well.
Dan: they charge 1-2% surcharge in case of credit card payment (I think maybe above 999 USD), but they offer 1% discount in case of bank transfer payment. And do they market your domain on various channels?

You should point your nameservers somewhere anyway.

Why not try Alter for 30 days and then you will see your stats about how much traffic did their marketplace drive to your listings, then you can compare them with other marketplaces.

 

[Dane]

Why not try Alter for 30 days and then you will see your stats about how much traffic did their marketplace drive to your listings, then you can compare them with other marketplaces.

Yeah, maybe.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

@Deven Patel
Do you offer just escrow service or do you plan it?
For example, when I park my domains on Bodis and negotiate with my bidders directly - I need just escrow and nothing more.