Atom / Atom.com - Marketplace (formerly Squadhelp)

[JudgeMind]

Hey Folks,

I've just started using squadhelp.com to list some of my brandable. So far I have 76 domains listed, there is no fee to list. I've had some decent action so far in the way of interested buyers but no sales as of yet. I've only been with them for 1 week now.

A bit of a summary review of SquadHelp:

PROS

• No Listing fee
• No Logo design fee
• Ability to submit your names to end users holding naming contests
• Ability to chat directly or send a message directly to end users.
• Stats of your marketplace domains are shown in the marketplace dashboard.
• Their customer service and support has been great, 24hr a day chat.
• Ability to increase or decrease the list price of your domains or to show a discount. You can decrease or increase the price yourself by $200. If you want to lower more, you can contact support.
• End users can shortlist your domains before they make a decision on which they want to purchase. The number of shortlists is shown in you marketplace dashboard.
• When you submit your names you get to set the price you wish to get. Because their commissions are high I recommend listing at a higher price to offset the commission costs.
• Their landing pages are fairly basic but they work. Because the marketplace is fairly new, I'm sure we will see style improvements in the future.
• One thing I really like is they accept multiple extensions. I have listed .co and .io along with .com
• Each seller gets a direct link to their marketplace portfolio, HERES MY PORTFOLIO. It is handy if your trying to p[promote your portfolio through social media.
• I like that their marketplace doesn't have tens of thousands domain listings like BB. They are fairly strict on the domains they accept to list and so this helps keep the number of domains in the marketplace down and gets your listings more exposure.

CONS

• Their commissions are very high, depending on the domain name they are usually between 30% and 35%. However, there are no listing fees, no logo design fees, so in the end their commission is very similar to brand buckets.
• Their logos are not top quality, in fact I requested to have some of my logos remade.
• I think they have a big backlog of logos to design, the wait time for logo design has been around 1 week, but your names are still listed while the logos are being designed.
• After your names are accepted you need to agree to their commission rate, at this point you also need to apply your own keywords, descriptions etc. I found this was very time consuming.

 

[Atom.com]

How is a buyer able to submit an offer lower than my BIN and Make Offer is turned off?

I have a name listed with a BIN, and in my Marketplace Settings I have this checked.
Show attachment 272567

This actually happens quite often. Even if a domain is listed with a BIN and “Make Offer” is turned off, buyers frequently reach out to us directly via chat, email, or phone to initiate a negotiation.

Our team is trained to respond to such inquiries within minutes—day or night—and if the offer seems legitimate, we typically reach out to the seller to discuss next steps. If the seller has set their negotiation preference to allow Atom to negotiate, we may also engage directly with the buyer while the conversation is still active to keep momentum going.

We’ve found that having a fast, direct line of communication often works better than displaying a “Make Offer” button alongside a BIN, as it helps maintain the perceived firmness of the price while still allowing serious buyers to engage.

 

[Atom.com]

I can understand this point, but sometimes it feels like "regular updates" are being ignored in favor of flashy AI-based enhancements. As an SA, I can understand this, as everyone wants to be working on the cutting edge and not on the 'meat and potatoes' backend.

But 'meat and potatoes' is what keeps everything going.

Example:

You guys did a good thing by listening to users and implementing Fully Customized Landers. Great in concept, but less-so in execution, as (for some reason) you combined the lander settings with the default selection.

This means that someone like me, who uses the Minimal Lander, but would like to try out the Fully Customized Lander, cannot do this, as it's all or nothing. A better way to design this would be to split the two settings apart.

Section 1 (same as before): Choose between the Minimal and Fully Customized Lander.

Section 2: Customized Lander Settings.

That way, users would have flexibility to use one or the other or both (as they were in the past) by simply changing the lander choice on the domain, but this update has actually made the system less flexible and the only way you can actually use the Fully Customized Lander is by setting it as a default for all your domain listings.

Or to put it a different way, if I choose Minimal Landers as my default, I cannot use Fully Customized Landers at all, never ever.

@Atom.com

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback. We're actively working on adding the ability to override the lander choice at the individual domain level—not just for switching to Minimal, but also to enable selecting the Fully Customized Lander on a per-domain basis.

We often roll out new features with limited capabilities to start, allowing us to test adoption and gather feedback. This approach helps us stay agile and iterate quickly based on real-world usage. Your input is exactly the kind of insight that helps guide these improvements, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it.

 

[Atom.com]

I love when a company says "thanks for your feedback... but your wrong and here's why we won't listen to you..."

I think you can have too much of a good thing. AI seems to be taking over every area of life to the point where its shoehorned into places its probably not needed.



Would you share any hard numbers that show how AI has improved STR? When AN introduced their "Boost" program they threw some made up numbers out there with no evidence.

We completely understand where you’re coming from—adding AI just for the sake of it doesn’t make sense, and we’re mindful of that. Our focus is always on features that can meaningfully improve the buyer experience and ultimately lead to better results for sellers.

In terms of STR impact, our founder has shared several data points on X (Twitter) including how several landing page or merchandising aspects correlate with STR .

It's also worth noting that most of these features are offered at no additional cost, even though they require significant engineering resources to build and operate. If the data didn’t support their effectiveness, we wouldn’t prioritize them. For some of the newer initiatives, like Domain Talk, it’s still early—but based on buyer behavior patterns, we believe they’ll make a measurable impact over time. If it turns out we were wrong, we’ll absolutely make adjustments. Our goal is to stay responsive to what truly works.

 

[Atom.com]

@Atom.com - I received an offer on a name 4 days ago. I responded to the Atom broker with my floor price and haven't heard anything since. Is 4 days a normal amount of time to not hear back? (I'm honestly asking, not being snarky). Most of my names are BINs so I have very little experience with MO.

Our goal is to keep sellers informed at every key stage of the negotiation. If there’s a material update—such as a buyer response or a shift in interest—we’ll reach out right away.

However, in cases where the buyer becomes unresponsive or requires multiple follow-ups, there may be a delay of a few days as we continue working to re-engage them. We try to avoid unnecessary updates until there’s meaningful movement, but rest assured, we're actively working in the background to close the loop.

 

[Atom.com]

@Atom.com Are the "Portfolio Popularity" stats for Premium only? Or Premium and Sapphire? Or Premium, Sapphire, Plus, and Standard?

Currently, the Portfolio Popularity metric is calculated based on your Premium listings only. We’re in the process of updating several dashboard metrics to ensure they reflect actionable insights. This overhaul will take a few months, but our goal is to make the dashboard more focused on metrics that truly matter and drive better decision-making.

 

[NorthernDomains]

Are there any actual benefits to listing Premium domains (STR), and is the exclusive to Atom still in effect (must delist from other platforms)?

 

[Atom.com]

Wait a minute, are you saying that Atom jacks the price up at Sedo as a policy, and if sold at the higher price, then retains anything over the base price listed at Atom? That sounds wrong on multiple levels, and if true, why would anyone sign up for this?

After all, Atom really isn't doing anything other than cross-listing at Sedo.

Have you confirmed this with Atom, that they not only take their own commission, but skim the price increase at Sedo as well?

Just to provide some context—when domains are sold through Sedo, we pay a commission on those sales (typically 15% or 20%, depending on the channel). Most sales occur via Sedo’s registrar network (MLS), which usually carries a 20% commission.

To cover these costs, we apply a markup on the Sedo listing price. In many cases, the markup is actually less than the commission paid.

The benefit of this setup is that your domains get syndicated across hundreds of registrars, expanding exposure and potential buyer reach. Our automation and partnership with Sedo also make domain verification and listing management more efficient.

That said, for Standard listings, sellers still have the option to manually list on Sedo themselves if they prefer to manage it directly. We even make that easier by allowing you to automatically publish Sedo verification TXT records through our DNS management feature.

 

[Atom.com]

In a scenario where a domain owner has meticulously crafted their lander content to avoid UDRP disputes, how does the unpredictable nature of AI-generated audio content create new liability risks?

Our AI-generated audio content is designed to present multiple distinct use cases for each domain, which helps reduce the likelihood of any one company claiming the name is specifically targeting them. That said, as with any auto-generated feature, it's important to review the content to ensure it aligns with your intent and avoids any unintended implications.

We’ll soon be adding a delete option so you can remove the Domain Talk audio on individual listings if desired. This feature will not be automatically enabled across all domains—we’ll be rolling it out gradually based on testing and feedback.

 

[E. Silvera]

That said, for Standard listings, sellers still have the option to manually list on Sedo themselves

Terms state Standard and Plus. Please kindly clarify, @Atom.com

 

[Future Sensors]

Terms state Standard and Plus. Please kindly clarify, @Atom.com

With Plus you're also allowed to list on Sedo yourself.

 

[E. Silvera]

With Plus you're also allowed to list on Sedo yourself.

I know, but asking members don't, and I guess they trust @Atom.com as the official source for this crucial details. Doing something against Terms has consequences, naturally.

Thus the need for their reply to be accurate and complete.

 

[Future Sensors]

I know, but asking members don't, and I guess they trust @Atom.com as the official source for this crucial details. Doing something against Terms has consequences, naturally.

Thus the need for their reply to be accurate and complete.

The 'no exclusivity' part is described here:

Introducing Plus: Atom’s New Listing Level for Enhanced Flexibility and Exposure!
https://www.atom.com/blog/introduci...-level-for-enhanced-flexibility-and-exposure/

• Complete Flexibility: Sellers control pricing with no exclusivity or approval requirements, allowing you to list any domain that deserves extra exposure.

 

[DomainBanana]

Considering the current landing page as a whole, it now seems overly complicated, not easy for buyers to parse.

In my view, reducing the number of visual and interactive elements on a domain sales page is essential for enhancing clarity, easing navigation, and minimizing cognitive load. When a buyer lands on the page, their attention should be guided—quickly and effortlessly—toward one key action: buy the domain.

Too many competing elements (buttons, badges, prices, icons, prompts) can overwhelm and confuse users, delay decision-making, or cause hesitation. By streamlining the layout to include only the most essential components above the fold—clear pricing, a single call to action, core trust signals, and concise support options—you create a focused, intuitive path to purchase.

This not only improves comprehension and user satisfaction but also increases conversion likelihood by removing friction from the buying experience.

Clarity sells.

 

[DomainBanana]

It's like a dating profile -- too much data is a turn-off.

vs.

 

[internext]

it now seems overly complicated, not easy for buyers to parse.

Looks drop-dead simple to me. Maybe I'm smarter than the average bear buyer

t's like a dating profile -- too much data

Agree on that one

 

[DomainBanana]

Looks drop-dead simple to me. Maybe I'm smarter than the average bear buyer

The current page has about 20 distinct elements above the fold, all competing for attention. While each item alone is clear, together they create noise that forces the buyer to scan, evaluate, and prioritize before they can act.

What looks 'drop dead simple' to someone familiar with the platform can feel overwhelming to someone landing on the page for the first time and trying to make a quick decision.

 

[Future Sensors]

The current page has about 20 distinct elements above the fold, all competing for attention. While each item alone is clear, together they create noise that forces the buyer to scan, evaluate, and prioritize before they can act.

What looks 'drop dead simple' to someone familiar with the platform can feel overwhelming to someone landing on the page for the first time and trying to make a quick decision.

Since 2024, Atom has assigned a dedicated role to manage this area, but still, Atom's testing of new lander features is leading to increased complexity.

https://www.atom.com/blog/2024-in-review-a-transformative-year-for-atom-com/

UX & Product: We welcomed a dedicated UX Designer and Product Manager with experience at companies like Mercedes-Benz to simplify our platform and elevate the user experience to new heights. Their work has already made a direct impact, including the launch of minimal landing pages designed to maximize focus and drive conversions.

 

[internext]

20 distinct elements above the fold,

Remove the logo. What is left? A scarcity stat, Domain Chat (that could go as far as I'm concerned), pricing options, a check-out, and payment info.

What else would you lose? It all seems to be needed info to me - short of the logo and scarcity stat (both which I like) and domain talk (which I don't)

I like having a logo for staging, but places like Saw.com don't have logos or a description. I think too simplistic, but it looks even more confusing to me. What do you think, @DomainBanana

 

[D Haynes]

In terms of STR impact, our founder has shared several data points on X (Twitter) including how several landing page or merchandising aspects correlate with STR .

I don't have social media so I guess I'm shit outta luck.

Thank you for taking the time to reply here on the forum

 

[DomainBanana]

What else would you lose? It all seems to be needed info to me - short of the logo and scarcity stat (both which I like) and domain talk (which I don't)

I'd focus on simplicity -- removing non-essential elements like the audio story and extra visual icons that can distract from the main goal. Simplifying to focus on what matters most: the domain name, clear pricing options, one strong call-to-action, and a few key trust signals.

Something along these lines reduces cognitive load, makes the path to purchase more intuitive, and creates a cleaner, more modern feel that’s easier to process at a glance. The result is a page that feels faster, more focused, and more trustworthy.