Are you going to register at Domaining.org?

[h2o]

Domainers.org is an online alphabetical listing of people in the domain business. I received an email not too long ago, encouraging me to sign up at Domainers.org. It stated that less than 2% of people identified as domainers actually posted their information. Quite honestly, I am not surprised about the low numbers. Most people value their privacy and want to stay as low key as possible in this industry. This is evident by how many people on NP do not even bother to register and keep their guest alias. Also, I cannot see a benefit from listing a few pieces of information about yourself like "I mainly acquire domains to park them." or "I most buy domains under $1k." One blog stated that someone says that the low outcome is due to 98% of domainers as cybersquatters. That statement is just as ridiculous and obviously not true. But our "image" is not so rosy to the general public. Can you SEO masters change the fact that when you type "domainer" on Google, "cybersquatting" is the first result? Most people are involved in domains as a second job, who do not want their personal information plastered and believe the whois is enough exposure. If you disagree, then feel free to convince me otherwise.

 

[zoogo]

I register all my domains with whois privacy for a reason..

This site sounds like an epic fail.

 

[Kate]

Nice idea, but can't think of any upside for that exposure

 

[corgi]

Nice idea, but can't think of any upside for that exposure

I agree, domaining is kind of a private business.

 

[h2o]

I think the owner should have done a survey to see if people are willing to get listed before making such a site.

 

[Jaco]

I register 0 of my names with privacy, as I don't care.
I'm not evading anything.

The ones for my company, yeah, I register those under the company name, but the ones I register personally (or, that I'll eventually sell to the company) I couldn't care less if people know who I am. Privacy freaks absolutely slay me.

 

[JoshuaPz]

Great topic, h2o! Thanks from bringing it up.

I agree this is an "interesting" idea at best. Even though domaining is absolutely not commensurate with cybersquatting, the world at large inevitably equates the two. I'd rather not hurt my career prospects by allowing Google to index the fact I'm a domainer under my name.

However, I do feel Domainers.org could be usefully repurposed a private directory allowing domainers to learn more about each other's needs and service offerings. The site might inject liquidity into the reseller market by allowing domainers to search for folks seeking to buy certain types of domains (LLLL.com's, technology domains, or whatever), or allowing domainers to locate experienced service providers (e.g. brokers) more easily, providing mechanisms for rating those services. Domainers.org has enormous potential as a closed social network, with a login and password required required to search it, but Francois better keep the site far, far away from Google indexing :imho:

And yes, Francois should have performed rigorous market research before investing dollars and energy in Domainers.org.

(And no, I don't register my domains w/ privacy because (a) it reduces the likelihood of me receiving direct inquiries, and (b) inquirers could learn by Googling my name that they're not dealing with a low-life).

 

[cmason]

I register 0 of my names with privacy, as I don't care.
I'm not evading anything.

The ones for my company, yeah, I register those under the company name, but the ones I register personally (or, that I'll eventually sell to the company) I couldn't care less if people know who I am. Privacy freaks absolutely slay me.

Put me in the same boat as you Dongsman. I am still learning so I would love to hear why the drive for privacy exists for some.

 

[Jaco]

I am still learning so I would love to hear why the drive for privacy exists for some.

BECAUSE IF SOMEONE GOOGLES YOUR NAME, THEY MIGHT SEE THAT YOU OWN HOTELSINLASVEGAS.COM!
OH, DEAR GOD! THE HORROR! :td: :td:

:lol:

Seriously- it makes sense for certain names (adult content names, names where you're expressing some kind of highly charged opinion and you don't want flaming bags of dog crap placed on your doorstep @ 3:30 AM) but some people are just privacy freaks for absolutely no rational reason.

Note to the world... If you own a house, if you own land, if your bills are under your name, the world knows who you are. You're "on the list" and anyone can find you. Owning a domain name doesn't change much. Anyone who's been a participant in the 'grown up' world is on the list. For people living in their parents basement who are mortified at the concept of insignificant personal information being accessible (even for something as benign as a domain whois search), well, I'd get comfortable in that basement 'cuz you're gunna be there forever.

 

[zoogo]

Put me in the same boat as you Dongsman. I am still learning so I would love to hear why the drive for privacy exists for some.

My papa taught me to make your buck, and while doing it, make sure as few people as possible know about your wealth/fame.

Unless your buisness revolves around people knowing you (i.e. writers).

In any case, I respect believe what he said, as he is a VERY successful man and knows a lot about the business world, and I think that domaining is not one of the things I need to get famous for.

At the most, I'd list my contact as my company info if I ever incorporate the medium through which I sell my domains.

Anyway, the cheapest places I know to register domain names offer free whois privacy, so I grab it - no point in giving people more info about me than they need to know:imho: ESPECIALLY when the service to protect me is free.

Personally, I don't need people knowing who registered the domain names I own, where I live, my full name, phone number, etc. - I wouldn't tell some random on the street those things, why would I want some random on the internet to know?

But if you want people over the internet to know a lot about your personal, trackable information - be my guest; more power to you. I have been on the internet long enough to know that isn't the best idea, but it takes some people longer to learn lessons.

:wave:

 

[cmason]

Thank you for that response Nudu! Your arguments are great, but I don't think that they necessarily apply to everyone.

I definitely understand keeping your identity secret if you don't want unsolicited emails regarding your domains, but out of the 4 people I have sold domains to (some for high $xxx) I know that 2 contacted me because of the WHOIS information. For me, domaining is a hobby where exposure can only help me. Plus, I live in the middle of nowhere so I am not too concerned about someone coming after me for my domains.

I definitely think privacy has it's positives, but for me, it is not a big issue. Hopefully I will make it big someday and then close myself off.

 

[zoogo]

Thank you for that response Nudu! Your arguments are great, but I don't think that they necessarily apply to everyone.

I definitely understand keeping your identity secret if you don't want unsolicited emails regarding your domains, but out of the 4 people I have sold domains to (some for high $xxx) I know that 2 contacted me because of the WHOIS information. For me, domaining is a hobby where exposure can only help me. Plus, I live in the middle of nowhere so I am not too concerned about someone coming after me for my domains.

I definitely think privacy has it's positives, but for me, it is not a big issue. Hopefully I will make it big someday and then close myself off.

Thanks,

Well the money I make from parking domains is pittance and free advertising for another site.

Better for my business model to put a page on there linking or redirecting to my domain portfolio.

I also make the nameservers of all my sites as my domain portfolio's site - That's All they need to know about me.

 

[cityforums.com]

Put me in the same boat as you Dongsman. I am still learning so I would love to hear why the drive for privacy exists for some.

Here's one reason ...

years ago I was a victim of a reverse highjacking attempt by a Major Corporation on a GENERIC non-trademarkable

dictionary word domain ... why would you make yourself an easy target ... unless you love spending

money and time fighting battles that you should never have been in

 

[TestCase]

...some people are just privacy freaks for absolutely no rational reason.

Or for possibly REAL rational reasons...

Like the fact that WE JUST REALLY LIKE OUR PRIVACY!!! (Or at least what's left of it...)​

Aside from that, as to whether to use Whois Privacy on your dn's or possibly list/provide any information about yourself on Domaining (or any of the social network sites for that matter), I can think of quite a few negatives (not just mass amounts of additional spam) to having any of your info fully visible/available online.

I won't provide any examples of these negatives because I don't want to give anyone any ideas, but once you experience any of them you'll probably rethink whether a "highly visible profile" is worth it.

If someone is really interested in a domain with privacy in place, they can always send an email to the "privacy email address" in the whois and owner should get it. (WOW, what a concept!) If the interested party can't do that, I'm guessing they are not really serious about the dn.

Some people like a high profile, some of us don't. To each of us, our own...

You can call me crazy, but you certainly won't be able to call me because -- I LIKE MY PRIVACY! :lol:

 

[lzy]

A mod should really get the thread title changed..

 

[pwr1019]

Agreed I'm also in the privacy camp. Some time ago I got a letter from a scumbag supposed lawyer accusing me of TM violation and threatening huge consequences if I did not turn over several domain names immediately. Long story short I fought back and learned he in fact was not representing the company he spoke of and was just trying to scam several decent domain names. I wonder how many other he got with a official looking threatening e-mail or two, anyway I too now opt for the privacy option and have not had to deal with any more of these characters.

 

[cmason]

Agreed I'm also in the privacy camp. Some time ago I got a letter from a scumbag supposed lawyer accusing me of TM violation and threatening huge consequences if I did not turn over several domain names immediately. Long story short I fought back and learned he in fact was not representing the company he spoke of and was just trying to scam several decent domain names. I wonder how many other he got with a official looking threatening e-mail or two, anyway I too now opt for the privacy option and have not had to deal with any more of these characters.

Ah, I am starting to come to a conclusion for myself. While privacy protection doesn't keep people like that, or even legitimate lawyers from coming after you, it does make you a more difficult/serious victim - therefore, it is more unlikely that you will fall victim to a scam. It's sort of like car thieves that walk through a parking lot looking for that one unlocked door.

I think that as I continue my venture into domaining I am going to be conscious of this fact and will use it where appropriate.

 

[DnEbook]

i am happy tp be able to be contacted for any of my domains , that simple

 

[gazzip]

I have two questions about it

1) Does each domainers page get indexed by Google ?

2) If so, Is it wise to say:

BUYING:

"I primarily register domains. I mainly buy domains under $100." (and also link to your portfolio)


If an enduser searches your name on Google, comes across your Domainers.org (< EDITED) page and sees you usually only ever pay $100 for each name what's he going to think/do if you're asking x.xxx for it ?

....go, elsewhere I would imagine, 9 times out of 10 endusers usually have other options.


What do you think ?



.

 

[NetOctave]

One blog stated that someone says that the low outcome is due to 98% of domainers as cybersquatters. That statement is just as ridiculous and obviously not true.

Its highly ridiculous. Saying domainers without a domainers.org account as cybersquatter is like saying people without a facebook profile are criminals. Unless you do not have any criminal intentions or something to hide, why else would you hesistate to open a facebook account and have all your personal info published :D

People will have n number of reasons to hide their identity. Calling them cybersquatters is going too far.

i think this is also one of those free publicity through controversy stunts.