BrandRoot Experience...

[gina ferrano]

Since there's a thread for Namerific and BB, I started a thread on BR. What are people's experiences?
Jury is still out...not sure if I should submit more names, as names pending in the cue waiting for logos jumped back 20 spaces. What's the turn around time? On the front end, names being approved are on par with namerific, BB is very slow, w/o a yay or a nay, though maybe once the names are approved it may be faster going into the description, logo stage.

Also, paying more than $100 on logos for names valued at under 2k, is it worth it to pay more. Does it make a difference? How long to wait till name is published? Do the logo designers pick and choose? The $10 fee, what does that insure? The idea behind BR is a sped up process, how long must one wait...

 

[cocaseco]

One more question. Is there a link to just see my domains, or any one persons? Similar to what BB has to just see your portfolio.

 

[Doron Vermaat]

Anyone using their portfolio script? I'm having trouble getting it to work and they don't offer any tech support. PM if you have used it so I can ask some questions and maybe get it running properly.

You have to create a ticket trough the contact us form on the site.

 

[cocaseco]

You have to create a ticket trough the contact us form on the site.

Yes, I did that, which is how I learned that they don't offer any support on the script.

 

[Doron Vermaat]

Yes, I did that, which is how I learned that they don't offer any support on the script.

I see. What's the issue you have with the script?

 

[cocaseco]

I'll PM

 

[JimJammy]

I primarily use BR at this point. I switched everything over from BB because I was getting a better rate of sales at the time (Jan 2015). I have no idea what the average rate of sale at BB is at the moment, but I am currently getting about 3.3% per annum at BR.

This is higher than BB. Anyone else using BR mind sharing their average rate of sale percentage?

I haven't jumped in yet but am very tempted.

 

[cocaseco]

This is higher than BB. Anyone else using BR mind sharing their average rate of sale percentage?

I haven't jumped in yet but am very tempted.

If you are considering it, I would recommend getting started now. It can be a very lengthy time to get accepted there. Took me close to a year. If they accept and you change your mind, you just don't move forward so no harm done. They aren't always taking new sellers and they are more selective. I've only been on a month so no sales to report, but overall I like both systems, with each having their pros and cons.

 

[Recons.Com]

BR approval of a seller takes ages.

Not sure why they do it, as BB gets the first dip with the names because of this.

What is the logic of giving competitive advantage to your rival?

 

[cocaseco]

BR approval of a seller takes ages.

Not sure why they do it, as BB gets the first dip with the names because of this.

What is the logic of giving competitive advantage to your rival?

First, I'm not sure its a conscious decision to purposely be slower. They are just more selective and honestly, I prefer they are and keep it smaller than the 23K names at BB. Not everyone gives there names to BB first. I have noticed that their market segments are a little different. I'm sure they each have their niches where they are stronger in contacts and selling strengths. I think they compliment each other very well and using both is a solid strategy.

 

[Recons.Com]

First, I'm not sure its a conscious decision to purposely be slower. They are just more selective and honestly, I prefer they are and keep it smaller than the 23K names at BB. Not everyone gives there names to BB first. I have noticed that their market segments are a little different. I'm sure they each have their niches where they are stronger in contacts and selling strengths. I think they compliment each other very well and using both is a solid strategy.

Selective about what? They are not slow for name submitting, they are just not approving new sellers for months! I applied to try them out about 4 months ago, and I gave them great sample of names, including nice pronounceable 4L.coms, does not get any better than that.

 

[cocaseco]

Selective about what? They are not slow for name submitting, they are just not approving new sellers for months! I applied to try them out about 4 months ago, and I gave them great sample of names, including nice pronounceable 4L.coms, does not get any better than that.

I can't speak to your situation, but maybe they didn't feel they would be able to market your domains? I would much rather have someone reject a name that they don't feel they could sell, than take anything just to make $10. While I'm sure your names were great, there was something about them that just wasn't a match for them. Would you rather they had accepted them and then be unable to sell them? At a very high level, I think BB is better for 4L's and if I was selling them, I likely wouldn't even have submitted them to BR. I want a market that knows their buyers and knows their capabilities and shortcomings. Nobody wins if everything is approved.

Edit: I would add that i think they are very slow on approving names, at least in my experience. Like i said, i'm just getting started so my frame of reference is limited. But I almost always wait much longer for BR approval than BB. But that's just part of the learning curve in any new marketplace.

 

[Recons.Com]

I can't speak to your situation, but maybe they didn't feel they would be able to market your domains? I would much rather have someone reject a name that they don't feel they could sell, than take anything just to make $10. While I'm sure your names were great, there was something about them that just wasn't a match for them. Would you rather they had accepted them and then be unable to sell them? At a very high level, I think BB is better for 4L's and if I was selling them, I likely wouldn't even have submitted them to BR. I want a market that knows their buyers and knows their capabilities and shortcomings. Nobody wins if everything is approved.

I'll go second time:

They did not reject anything. They asked for 10 name example at registration. I gave them great ones. Just check my signature, do they look like reject names? They are not submissions. It has been 4 months with no response regarding the application. They even don't bother to send you confirmation email upon registration.

Very unprofessionally made. I am surprised they are making any sales, if they have the same attitude to sale side.

 

[JimJammy]

Selective about what? They are not slow for name submitting, they are just not approving new sellers for months! I applied to try them out about 4 months ago, and I gave them great sample of names, including nice pronounceable 4L.coms, does not get any better than that.

I don't know, but I get the impression that BR isn't a 'they'. This is just one guy working really hard and he simply doesn't have the resources to maintain a lot of sellers.

Perhaps you just submitted at a time when he felt he couldn't cope with any more sellers, no matter how good their names are.

The latest approved sellers seem to be those that submitted up to a year ago.

Again, I don't know how big BR is, and I don't know your situation either, but that's my best guess.

 

[Recons.Com]

7000 names, 3.3% sales = 230+ names.

230x600 from each sale = 138 000$.

He could hire someone for $20K/year to try to double his income, no?

 

[JimJammy]

7000 names, 3.3% sales = 230+ names.

230x600 from each sale = 138 000$.

He could hire someone for $20K/year to try to double his income, no?

I've no idea what his circumstances are, whether he has thought about this and decided against it or not.

 

[cocaseco]

I'll go second time:

They did not reject anything. They asked for 10 name example at registration. I gave them great ones. Just check my signature, do they look like reject names? They are not submissions. It has been 4 months with no response regarding the application. They even don't bother to send you confirmation email upon registration.

Very unprofessionally made. I am surprised they are making any sales, if they have the same attitude to sale side.

Keep'n it classy.

If they haven't accepted you or your domains, there is something about them, or you, that they don't feel is a match. Honestly, if this is the way you handle business communications with them, I think I see the issue. But, 4 months is nothing. Come back to me after a year and let's see if you were accepted. Yours is just one in a string of comments where people submitted and waited with no response. I'm not saying it's right, but it is their norm. I was in the same boat for about a year, but then I was accepted. In fact, I think I ended up applying a second time during my wait. I have had a very good experience with them and have found Michael to be very helpful in getting me set-up and going. It is possible they looked and said no, this isn't a fit. It is equally possible they simply haven't gotten to you yet, or aren't currently accepting new sellers....hence the selectivity that I originally referenced. I still stand by my comments that no matter how good a domain is, all domains are not suited for all markets. And, I want a market that is able to discern the difference and only accept the names they feel they can sell. I'm not offended by rejection of a silly domain.

 

[Recons.Com]

JimJammy, I don't know either. What I am saying is that if a seller decides to join this platforms and applies at the same time to BB, BR, etc., BB will get a first look at names, because BR will take a year to just approve a seller...

 

[Recons.Com]

Keep'n it classy.

If they haven't accepted you or your domains, there is something about them, or you, that they don't feel is a match. Honestly, if this is the way you handle business communications with them, I think I see the issue. But, 4 months is nothing. Come back to me after a year and let's see if you were accepted. Yours is just one in a string of comments where people submitted and waited with no response. I'm not saying it's right, but it is their norm. I was in the same boat for about a year, but then I was accepted. In fact, I think I ended up applying a second time during my wait. I have had a very good experience with them and have found Michael to be very helpful in getting me set-up and going. It is possible they looked and said no, this isn't a fit. It is equally possible they simply haven't gotten to you yet, or aren't currently accepting new sellers....hence the selectivity that I originally referenced. I still stand by my comments that no matter how good a domain is, all domains are not suited for all markets. And, I want a market that is able to discern the difference and only accept the names they feel they can sell. I'm not offended by rejection of a silly domain.

Are you a brand ambassador, staff? I hope not, certainly.

No, I have not communicated, just did the application form, with them and my communications are generally fine, unless they don't get through...

 

[Grilled]

I don't know, but I get the impression that BR isn't a 'they'. This is just one guy working really hard and he simply doesn't have the resources to maintain a lot of sellers.

I met two representatives from BrandRoot at NamesCon this year. Michael and Toby. Both were very nice, and knowledgeable.

Remember BrandRoot is still technically new compared to BrandBucket. Based on WHOIS history alone, BrandRoot is 5 years younger. BrandRoot is spending quite a bit on marketing to grow their current marketplace. They sponsored the NamesCon program guide.

Also, a funny note to those who aren't aware:

http://tldinvestors.com/2014/07/the...brand-root-poised-to-unseat-brand-bucket.html

 

[JimJammy]

JimJammy, I don't know either. What I am saying is that if a seller decides to join this platforms and applies at the same time to BB, BR, etc., BB will get a first look at names, because BR will take a year to just approve a seller...

IF he is making a very nice income doing exactly what he is doing, at his own pace, in his own time I can understand why he wouldn't want to change that just to be bigger/better than someone else.

First look at the names or not, looking at the sales he lists on his site he is clearly close to BB yet only has a quarter of the inventory. Officially, that makes him 3 or 4 more times successful doesn't it?

Having first pick or more names on his site doesn't necessarily mean he will sell more.