Domaining as a Career?

[BasedBeyond]

I know that a good amount of us work an everyday job, and invest in domains on the side. But I've always wondered this:

If you were to quit your current position right now in order to become a full-time domainer, would domaining alone be able to fulfill your living expenses and criteria?

Can domaining be pursued as a career?

Curious to hear your responses, thanks.

BasedB

 

[NameClerk]

How to become a full time domainer starting from scratch...

1. Live in your parents basement
2. Work 24/7
3. Stock up on Ramen Noodles

 

[Dominic Belley]

I would not be able to live only off of my domaining revenues.

I think its a numbers game. To sell enough domain I would have to own a lot or good quality names and I don't have the money to buy that many quality names.

Let say I would require at least 50K per year in net revenue. That is gross (before tax). But still NET revenue [Domain sell price /minus/ Domain acquisition price].

I doubt I would be able to make that kind of money in a year even doing it full-time. I would have to make a lot of outbound and I hate doing that.

 

[E-Promote]

How to become a full time domainer starting from scratch...

1. Live in your parents basement
2. Work 24/7
3. Stock up on Ramen Noodles

Do #2, then you can skip #1 and #3.

Truth is that you just need to start small and work your way up, the key is work ethic.

 

[eraldo_coil]

This is something I think about every now and again. I'm pretty new to domain investing, and I always wonder what the percentage is of domain investors who are actually making good money doing it full time as a career.

I remember looking up and reading a NP thread several months ago about this very topic, and if I recall correctly, many people had stated that no, most people do not make enough money domaining in order to sustain a living compared to a "normal" day job. Of course there are exceptions to this and some people are full time domainers and can and do make good money, but I think the reality is that this is rare, and a large majority of domainers are either losing money, or not making nearly enough money to justify quitting their day job.

 

[garptrader]

Domaining allows a great deal of flexibility in that one can set their own hours, work from anywhere with an internet connection, be more active in marketing domains if they choose to do so or even develop domains they are more passionate about. However, as it stands currently most end users / developers do not place near the value on domain names that domain investors do and thus only a very small percentage of domain investors make a full-time living from pure buying / selling domains.

Domaining is kind of like professional sports. Someone who plays basketball, tennis, golf on a regular basis and has done so for years is going to be more skilled than someone new to the sport. However, it is one thing to play sports recreationally. It is totally another to be a starter for the Miami Heat. I believe the odds of making a living as a website developer or designer or digital marketer etc are probably much higher than they are from buying and selling domains.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

Domaining is my profession and passion...

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

Quality domains don't need any marketing...

 

[GoKaizen]

If you want to do this as a career;

1. Start selling your names for a lot of money.
2. Build a business around domains.

Look at the most successful people in this industry and they do #2 eventually. Schilling built a domain registrar and registry. Cyger invested in Efty. Adam Strong has NameBio and DomainAgents.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

Medium/Large portfolio is necessary only for regular sales...
Each domain - one more chance for you...
But portfolio size and structure should be properly balanced with your returns... to be in profit.

 

[Justin Matmor]

I would think domain brokers are probably earning a good full time income.

Investors or traders are probably just earning a bit of side money.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

Domaining is not just selling but also monetization...

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

I prefer ZeroClick-method... but Google-feed is also useful... depends on certain domain...

 

[VaibhavA]

Hi,

I am a newbie with few months of domaining experience and a few xxx$ in sales so far. So, I really cannot say, it can be a full time profession so far.

But, on the other hand, if you can spend time and learn everyday, it definitely has the potential of bringing in a regular flow of income. It also depends on how much money you have invested in it and at what time. I do not know if its a good time to invest in liquid domains now, but if can find good liquid domains at resonable price, you will definitely flip them at higher price. Its not easy to find, but thats where money is made by most everyday.

Or, if you can catch a few 4L's and 3C's in .com dropping everyday. You will definately make a killing quickly.

Just my opinion!

 

[Casey L]

If you have a lot of experience and a lot of money, then I'm sure it's possible. If you can afford to hold many good names and work full time at marketing and selling them, while also making money from parking and maybe a blog as well about your acquisitions and sales then it's certainly a possibility.

 

[MR Harrist]

Domaining is not about countries...
It is about you... about your experience, knowledge and skills... depends only on these factors, and can be 4F/mo just from monetization (even without any sales).

yeah, I know, but for ppl that live in 3rd world, actually don't need 4 figure to live well, but of course, skill and knowledge are the most important factor to get profit from domaining!

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

I started in 2008 from ~$30...

 

[maxtra]

I started in 2008 from ~$30...

The power of patience

As for OP, I think it is possible for many to make a full-time income in domaining. The question is whether you would be solely relying on buying/selling domains rather than branching out into other ventures in the domaining space.

If you were to start a domain brokerage, a blog, sell courses, etc. and provide value that way, than I believe it would be quicker to reach full-time income status.

Investing in liquid/wholesale domains would help when your sales have dipped for certain stretches, as you can simply auction a few off for quick cash.

As for me, this is only a side hustle at the moment. Could it be full-time down the road? My revenue has been increasing every month, so, perhaps.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

This is also a question of your addiction/passion...
If you really love domaining - then this love will be mutual.

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

This may be even 10 domains with HQ traffic...

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

No...
HQ traffic may come even from typo domains... and from the quality backlinks...
The highest conversion - with type-in traffic...
And really important - from which countries it is coming...

You should also understand what you are doing...
Some guys here are flipping the domains for $5... then the same domains are purchased by endusers for 500 EUR and higher (from me)... and without any marketplaces or outbound.

 

[ValleyRock]

Look at the most successful people in this industry and they do #2 eventually. Schilling built a domain registrar and registry. Cyger invested in Efty. Adam Strong has NameBio and DomainAgents.

Precisely.

Its not about what they are saying it is what they are doing.

 

[namerav]

It can be full-time business provided You spend working 12 hours/day and marketing both in electronic world as well as real world.

 

[Justin Matmor]

Domaining is not just selling but also monetization...

Are you implying earning adsense revenue from your parked domains?

 

[Jurgen Wolf]

~95% of beginners drop domaining after 1-2 years...