Cost of Startup

[BlackDiamond]

When I first started lurking at NamePros, I was interested in the discussion and the information was available. Looking at many of the posts on this forum has gotten me interested in the idea of the business of buying and selling domain names, even though initially I had no desire to become a domainer. While realistically I doubt I would ever enter the game (I'm not a risk-taker by nature and most substantial risks I have taken have ended with me on the severe losing end), there are times when I believe that domaining could not just be hard work with little chance of reward, but a fun and valuable learning experience that would make me a richer person in terms of development rather than money. After all, I've already learned more about domain names from this forum just by reading the posts than I've learned when I first registered a domain name.

However, there is one concern that tempers my speculations: money. While registering a domain name can only cost a few bucks if you look in the right place, I am wise enough to know that I do not have the creativity to register money-making domain names in COM or any other top-level domain. Getting into even the low end aftermarket requires a substantial sum, and people throw around the idea of hundreds and thousands of dollars as though the amounts were only pennies.

So if I wanted to become a domainer, how much capital would I realistically need in order to be able to have a chance at breaking even? I know some people will say $7 and to register a really good domain name, but that's not much better than buying one share of stock or one lottery ticket.

 

[SimpleDomaining]

the difference is, when you buy lottery ticket - it is luck to win. when you buy domain - it is research that brings winnings.

 

[Peter]

This really depends on how much work you put in. The more you put in the less in a sense you are risking (however the risk is still there).

If you are planning parking domains then you should do your keyword research thoroughly as well as analysis on the domain name. Ultimately you would like a domain name that has history but has been dropped but this is not as easy as it sounds as it first has to get past the drop process.

On the other hand if you plan on developing then the risk is less. If you create truly useful sites then all you have wasted is your time. If you do not do this as a living then it is not that bad. Of course if you take this route you need the skills and ideas to develop the site and you also sill need a fairly good name (although you can get away with a lesser name than if you are simply selling on or parking the domain).

 

[Ross]

It really doesnt even cost you a penny if you do it the right way. Earn NP$ by doing random things for people such as stumbles in this Forum. Get enough to reg a domain and then develop it with free tools and scripts. You can also get free hosting just about anywhere or you can get ad free hosting as little as $1 a month. So the opportunity is there it just depends on how you approach it. Development can always turn a bad name it to a good one if done right.

 

[Ja$on]

$500, set up Dynadot account, register domains and you have 5 days to sell them at profit or return them for your money back.

Can't get any easier then that.

 

[sashas]

I started with $60, about 8 months back.

 

[zerolu]

I started with $60, about 8 months back.

how much have u made now?

 

[bradocconor]

When I first started lurking at NamePros, I was interested in the discussion and the information was available. Looking at many of the posts on this forum has gotten me interested in the idea of the business of buying and selling domain names, even though initially I had no desire to become a domainer. While realistically I doubt I would ever enter the game (I'm not a risk-taker by nature and most substantial risks I have taken have ended with me on the severe losing end), there are times when I believe that domaining could not just be hard work with little chance of reward, but a fun and valuable learning experience that would make me a richer person in terms of development rather than money. After all, I've already learned more about domain names from this forum just by reading the posts than I've learned when I first registered a domain name.

However, there is one concern that tempers my speculations: money. While registering a domain name can only cost a few bucks if you look in the right place, I am wise enough to know that I do not have the creativity to register money-making domain names in COM or any other top-level domain. Getting into even the low end aftermarket requires a substantial sum, and people throw around the idea of hundreds and thousands of dollars as though the amounts were only pennies.

So if I wanted to become a domainer, how much capital would I realistically need in order to be able to have a chance at breaking even? I know some people will say $7 and to register a really good domain name, but that's not much better than buying one share of stock or one lottery ticket.

I bought a domain name on ebay (not my first) for .99 and sold it 3 months later at a traffic auction for close to 3k so I guess if you look hard enough wait long enough you could syart for .99 (by the way it earned about 75 bucks a month from type in traffic whilke waiting to be sold)

 

[zerolu]

I bought a domain name on ebay (not my first) for .99 and sold it 3 months later at a traffic auction for close to 3k so I guess if you look hard enough wait long enough you could syart for .99 (by the way it earned about 75 bucks a month from type in traffic whilke waiting to be sold)

wat was ur domain?? wat u do just park it??

 

[unclewalter]

I started with $100, then later added another $100, right now I own somewhere between 20-25 domains, including 5 LLLL.com,I dont think im doing that bad. I made about $75 profit on the 3 domains I have sold so far.

 

[weblord]

you should be thinking of getting a resellership account either at wwd or http://www.idotz.net/reseller.html if you plan to register lots of domains.

 

[sashas]

how much have u made now?

i just sold no.org for 37.5k

total profits are in the high xx,xxx range

 

[BlackDiamond]

Thanks for the answers, but I think I've come to my senses and realized domaining isn't for me. I don't have the mindset to think of a domain name to register that would be valuable to an end user, and most of the aftermarket is out of my current price range.

 

[Diabro]

i just sold no.org for 37.5k

total profits are in the high xx,xxx range

Did you hand reg no.org? Or was that a domain you regged years ago?

 

[Shane]

I started at $0, have since added $120. I have made about $200 so far but have re invested. Although my hand regs are awful!

 

[NameCharger]

i just sold no.org for 37.5k

total profits are in the high xx,xxx range

Starting with only $60 and progressing to this caliber of transaction in 8 months? I would like to hear your story

 

[dalem]

Yes please tell Sasha

 

[sashas]

Did you hand reg no.org? Or was that a domain you regged years ago?

I bought it from the original owner, resold it within a month.
I'm 21. So obviously couldn't have handregged it.

 

[johname]

I started with $60, about 8 months back.

i guess that means you turn $60 into enough to buy no.org

 

[mwzd]

i guess that means you turn $60 into enough to buy no.org

Not exactly but close enough. Congrats sashas, killer sale.

Time to let out the .org sales secrets, who did you sell it to? I've been hearing really good things about .org but can't seem to see the target audience for the life of me.

Apologies to the OP for going off topic.