Best sites/formats for selling domain names?

[greggb]

I read a comment in a thread yesterday where a more veteran domainer stated the importance in listing the domains you're selling in many different places. That's something I'm getting ready to do myself, and I thought it might be beneficial to start a thread where the members share their successes (or unsuccesses) on the various sites and platforms available. Maybe to give to the people who are new to domaining an idea of how to go about selling their domains, and what not do do.

My suggestion would be to list:
1) The site
2) The format (i.e., auction, classified, BIN)
3) Any upgrades
4) Success(es), possibly including domain names and the prices they went for.
5) General thoughts and ideas for that particular site/format, i.e., it's a good way to sell your domain, or don't waste your time.

As far as my experience goes...

Sedo
I sold one domain for $1500, listed as a "make offer". No upgrades, and no marketing. The buyer found me and made me an offer. This was a really good domain name that I'd had for a long time. I haven't had any other successes at Sedo, although most of the domains I listed there when I first started domaining were pretty crappy. I did really like Sedo's escrow service.

Flippa
I've sold a few domain names at Flippa. Dadware.com for $100, RapOff.com for $110, and SpankTime.com for $70. They were all listed as auctions. I've never gotten offers for any of the domains I had listed as classifieds, which has led me to believe that trying to sell domains as classifieds at Flippa is a waste of time. Maybe someone has had a different experience?

GoDaddy Auctions
I sold one domain at GD Auctions for $20, listed as a "make an offer". But most of the domains I listed there were ones I got when I first started. I'm thinking about listing some of my better ones there.

Ebay
I've sold over 50 domains at Ebay... a couple for $99.99, but most for $10 to $50. I used to sell one on average every day or so, but I've been going on a really long dry spell now.

Question: do think upgrades are generally worth it? I've never sold a domain as the result of an upgrade.

 

[SpareDomains]

I sell the majority of mine with my own sales landers which also has built a 13 year database of end user leads. Most of my income comes from sales so I don't mind the loss in parking income. Can put my own ads on my pages or sell advertising to others across the whole network in 1 quick edit to replace the lost parking income.

I still list at Sedo, Afternic, DomainNameSales as well but 99% of my sales come direct to my own pages as that's where the domains point.

As far as upgrades go can help on a good domain but on an inferior domain kinda like putting lipstick on a pig or no sense highlighting garbage.

Venue depends on your strategy. I'm end user only so I stick to my own site and major markets where a flipper might be okay with forums, ebay, flippa etc...

 

[greggb]

I sell the majority of mine with my own sales landers which also has built a 13 year database of end user leads. Most of my income comes from sales so I don't mind the loss in parking income. Can put my own ads on my pages or sell advertising to others across the whole network in 1 quick edit to replace the lost parking income.

I still list at Sedo, Afternic, DomainNameSales as well but 99% of my sales come direct to my own pages as that's where the domains point.

As far as upgrades go can help on a good domain but on an inferior domain kinda like putting lipstick on a pig or no sense highlighting garbage.

Venue depends on your strategy. I'm end user only so I stick to my own site and major markets where a flipper might be okay with forums, ebay, flippa etc...

So if you don't mind me asking...

how do people arrive at your landing pages? I assume that google and other search engines haven't indexed you. Is it just by them typing your domain into their browser's address box?

I actually scripted some landing page software the other day. I never really got around to putting it on any of my websites, except one, and I didn't finish the sales plug. What do you (or anyone else) think of this format for a landing page (bear in mind that I haven't written any sales copy yet):
http://redangusbeef.com/

Edit: I just wrote a quick blurb to make it clear that the domain name is for sale.

Would it be wise to include my phone number on the page?

Would it also be smart to set a BIN price? I know one school of thought is that you can often make more by allowing someone to make you an offer first. But as hard as it is to sell a domain name, I'm to the point that if I make even $100 on something that took 20 minutes of my time, I'm pretty happy. So I'd rather make $100 sooner than $300 later.

I've heard that setting a BIN price can increase your odds of getting a sale, because it eliminates the anticipated hassle a buyer is going to have to go through. I know I'm personally much more apt to buy something if I know the price and it's reasonable.

 

[mhdoc]

I have been trying out LeadPages because they are fast to create, run on their servers, & have followup & email capture already built in. http://GrandfatherClockShop.com

I seldom sell domains, so can't comment on how well yours might work. Looks nice though

 

[greggb]

So here's a real-life example. I just regged:
ShopViolins.com

IMO this is a decent domain name that would be used by a company selling violins online. I imagine that the right end user would be willing to pay a few hundred for this.

But I absolutely hate marketing to end users. I'd be willing to sell this one wholesale.

If I wanted to sell this one wholesale, would my best plan to be put it up on all the domain selling sites, like Sedo, Flippa, and GD Auctions?

What else might I do to sell it fairly quickly, again not expecting a premium price for it?

 

[biggie]

it reality, you don't have to list your domain on any site....if someone wants to buy it.


when you have a name that has type-in traffic, or is part of a high demand category, the savvy will whois you.


though another alternative is to create your own portfolio site, and have all your names point there.

as for sites where i've had success: sedo, dnf, namepros, via email inquiries, via phone inquires, and sales have come via my own site "urlpick.com".


imo....

 

[SpareDomains]

So if you don't mind me asking...

how do people arrive at your landing pages? I assume that google and other search engines haven't indexed you. Is it just by them typing your domain into their browser's address box?

Domains are in google but majority of all leads across the board happen from someone typing in a domain they want so wherever the domain is pointed will receive the most leads. Point them at an anonymous aftermarket and ya get an anonymous offer. Point it to your own page and ya get valuable negotiation info name, email, phone, ip, etc... to research who is inquiring which helps not leave money on the table and saves some commission. Large aftermarkets basically became large by having domainers point all their names to them for parking pennies so basically giving away all your leads for free. If a lead comes direct you have all the information and can build a relationship and have your whole portfolio of options to sell. Lead goes to anonymous aftermarket and ya don't make a deal then they have your competitors options right in front of them.

I actually scripted some landing page software the other day. I never really got around to putting it on any of my websites, except one, and I didn't finish the sales plug. What do you (or anyone else) think of this format for a landing page (bear in mind that I haven't written any sales copy yet):
http://redangusbeef.com/

Fields for Name, Email, Phone help so if nothing comes up in google for name you have an email and phone to search as well. I look at ip address as well if I'm between a few possible buyers but not 100% on which one it is to figure it out.

 

[greggb]

it reality, you don't have to list your domain on any site....if someone wants to buy it.


when you have a name that has type-in traffic, or is part of a high demand category, the savvy will whois you.


though another alternative is to create your own portfolio site, and have all your names point there.

Yeah, the domain name I mentioned that went at Sedo for $1500 was one like that, although listing it at Sedo made it easier to find and probably resulted in it selling faster.

I think the domains of most of the domainers here don't fall into that category, though. Most of us are going to have to do some work to sell them.

I have a website like yours with all of my domains listed but I've never shared it.

Does a lot of traffic to your site wind up there by google searches?

I'm really considering optimizing mine for "wholesale domain names" searches and really approach domaining as a wholesaler...registering decent names and selling them for mid $xx to low $xxx.

 

[Ali]

it reality, you don't have to list your domain on any site....if someone wants to buy it.
when you have a name that has type-in traffic, or is part of a high demand category, the savvy will whois you.

Agreed.

Plus, if somebody really wants the name, they'll usually type it into the address bar to see what's on that domain. If you have a landing page setup, generally that will be your best bet.

 

[biggie]

Does a lot of traffic to your site wind up there by google searches?

it's listed in Goog, Bing, dmoz, and a few other SE's, been online since 2002 and had a pr4 at one time, so there is some traffic as a result of that.