discuss Domaining, Why?

[Want2learn]

People have asked me, “Why do you like domains? You are smart, go make your money in real estate or the stock market if you want a challenge.” Why do I like domains? I am smart and have been successful in other arenas. Domaining does present people with a new way to generate income. I am attracted to that opportunity to make money. Domaining does not require a lot of money to start up. Ironically, conventional wisdom says to skip those cheap hand registrations and focus on buying quality domains at a discount. Otherwise you end up with 400 crappy domains. Trust me, I get it. Domaining in my opinion is when someone buys and sells domain names. You can surely be a domaining hobbyist, I am. Perhaps the line between what a domain hobbyist and a domain collector are could be a bit more similar than is currently thought of. Do you see any differences or similarities between the two? Ah, to be a domain pro!
But why do I like domains or domaining? I love ideas, writing, communication, numbers, and people. Clearly ideas have been the biggest draw towards domaining. I think another part of the allure with domains is that if I have an idea I can attempt to register a name to fit the idea. It is all an attempt to make money. The very first domain I sold was on SEDO. The domain was (still is) LoveSmiled.com for $100. I realized then that SEDO was going to get their money. I joined NamePros. I was told, Do not register names . . . read . . . listen . . . watch . . . understand . . . watch . . . converse with trusted people . . . understand . . . go for it! Like YOU, I did NOT listen or adhere to the great advice. I had a problem, multiple I’m sure, but the problem was I had way too many domains for most places to qualify for their free services. I am not a very technical person with regards to technology. Tough Domains was a godsend. I was able to start using their platform to have my domains listed for sale. They had everything that I needed. For those of you who have had any success with selling domains, understand what a tool Tough Domains is for Domainers like me! Yeah, a few of you are technical enough to do it all by hand from scratch. Forget that, lots of life to live and don’t want to waste it learning how to make a web page from scratch. Thank you @toughdomains. To those that are reading, what have your experiences been like with aftermarket marketplaces? Have you found an aftermarket that you really love? What features do they utilize that you love?

 

[Rob Monster]

I think main reason is freedom -- you can manage a domain portfolio from anywhere with low overhead provided that you don't get overwhelmed with renewing bad names. However, every dog has his/her day and you get a windfall. Personally, during December, I was able to run Epik from the quaint Mexican town called Huatulco. I recommend it. Cheap and safe with nice beaches. At the farmer's market you could get a 50 pound case of organic oranges for $10. For calibration, see actual photo below. Enough said.

PS - If you are not using Epik escrow yet, you are being silly.

 

[Brands.International]

I see domaining as a mild form of addiction for many people. It can be good (and usually safer) alternative to more dangerous habbits like gambling or online poker/casino, and many people who are domainers are/were also gamblers in some shapes or forms (latest example of this: crypto investments")

The common feature here is that average domainer thinks he is more clever then almost all other people, and that with small investment of money he will get many multiples of his initial investment back just because of his clever mind or vision.

It works for 1% of people and 99% are loosing money, but most domainers do not care even if they are loosing money - as it also provides opportunity to dream. Every domain can be seen as lottery ticket and this can bring lot of joy and good expectations. When I see portfolios of many people I think this must be the case, as there is no way they can be profitable.

Saying that, everyone can do what they want with their money - money are not everything, sometimes dreams and positive expectations of future fortune is very worth all the financial losses.

Imo

 

[Fancy.domains]

It works for 1% of people and 99% are loosing money, but most domainers do not care even if they are loosing money - as it also provides opportunity to dream. Every domain can be seen as lottery ticket and this can bring lot of joy and good expectations. When I see portfolios of many people I think this must be the case, as there is no way they can be profitable.

I’ve to disagree a little. Is it only 1% of the Namepros members that actually are making a profit?! I think it’s more.

Personally, I would never continue doing this if it wasn’t profitable. For me this is a job. Ok, a job full of freedom and joy, but still a job.

 

[kam]

I love domaining because I love to selling something unique

 

[CJ6]

It's just fun

 

[MapleDots]

I bought the name of the city where I live. I absolutely love having [email protected] as my email address. It freaks people out and is a great conversation starter.

I don't think I could have this much fun doing anything else.

Wait..... oh crap, maybe I need to get out more

 

[JB Lions]

PS - If you are not using Epik escrow yet, you are being silly.

Escrow.com is going to be cheaper for most people. People were going thru the numbers, you can add to that discussion here - https://www.namepros.com/threads/epik-marketplace-commissions-fees-knowledge-thread.1112364/page-2

But yeah, the freedom. Just need an internet connection.

 

[CJ6]

At the farmer's market you could get a 50 pound case of organic oranges for $10.

How long does it take to go through 50 lbs of oranges?
Personally, I like to buy the non-grown oranges. (Inorganic... not organic)

 

[Rob Monster]

How long does it take to go through 50 lbs of oranges?
Personally, I like to buy the non-grown oranges. (Inorganic... not organic)

Fresh OJ every day for 7 people -- so about a week.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

I've been obsessed with websites and domains since I first discovered the internet when I was about 13 years old. Since I can remember, I've been obsessed with brands and their branding, domains, trademarks, copyrights and to some extent their patents. They are similar things which probably explains their appeal to me, they have the same qualities as domains, they are protected, valuable and unique.

My friends and I have coined it O.D.D. (Like O.C.D. ) - Obsessive domaining disorder.

I enjoy I continually searching for domain names, pursuing domains that I want and to try to get them for a price that is less than I believe them to be worth. Obviously most of the time, this pursuit of domain names leads to a lot of failures compared to successes. Most domain owners come back with ridiculous asking prices and most prospective buyers won't buy - but then the 1 out of 100 times that I get a name or sell a name for a good price it's a rush quite frankly.

There are a few great things that have come out of this obsession with domains and websites for me. One of those things being that it has lead to a career in software development. It pays well and I love doing it whether it is for my self or my day job. It comes naturally to me and domains feed into this passion.

 

[Charlie J]

Personally for me, I used to be in the handle market. Buying and selling unique handles across the board, mainly Twitter though. Then I turned to domains, as I hated knowing that buying / selling handles is against the TOS of most sites. I had overheard from friends that their accounts got banned on the site, and it made me worry that my prized possessions could be taken.

Being a developer myself, it meant I could create things that get seen on a more professional level. The fact I could purchase really cool domains, and turn it from an idea to a working site that all kinds of people could use just amazed me. Unlike handles which are great and impressive, but only have a limit to them. I also love that the worth of domains will only ever go up, and never drop - unless its based around a Niche, but you understand what I mean.

That's how I felt regarding domains anyway, haha.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

Being a developer myself, it meant I could create things that get seen on a more professional level. The fact I could purchase really cool domains, and turn it from an idea to a working site that all kinds of people could use just amazed me. Unlike handles which are great and impressive, but only have a limit to them. I also love that the worth of domains will only ever go up, and never drop - unless its based around a Niche, but you understand what I mean.

Same!!

 

[MapleDots]

I also love that the worth of domains will only ever go up, and never drop - unless its based around a Niche, but you understand what I mean.

Covfefe

 

[Want2learn]

Very niche though lol!

 

[Kate]

Before I was a domainer I was simply a developer looking for great names for great projects.
That led me into researching the process of dropcatching etc.
So I found out that I had been domaining without knowing it.

Domaining can be also be an extension of your business activity just like marketing or R&D.
Some big corporations routinely acquire domain names for their business. While they are not domainers like us, they tend to hang around at the same places and use the same tools as us.

If you look at the most successful companies of our times - they usually all have great names and this is not by chance.
Great domains give you a headstart in business.

 

[MapleDots]

Before I was a domainer I was simply a developer looking for great names for great projects.
That led me into researching the process of dropcatching etc.
So I found out that I had been domaining without knowing it.

I am considering launching a new line of products called PURE and there are soooooo many trademarks and things on that name that inevitably I am going to run into difficulties. Most of that can be eliminated by simply calling my new company PURE(dot)ca and actually make the extension part of the name.

Owning a great domain has it's advantages and as a domainer I feel I am light years ahead of businesses that launch and then look at getting a domain name.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

I am considering launching a new line of products called PURE and there are soooooo many trademarks and things on that name that inevitably I am going to run into difficulties. Most of that can be eliminated by simply calling my new company PURE(dot)ca and actually make the extension part of the name.

Owning a great domain has it's advantages and as a domainer I feel I am light years ahead of businesses that launch and then look at getting a domain name.

Be careful. Putting the extension as part of the name doesn't necessarily get you out of the woods. You may well be able to register 'Pure.ca' as a trademark or just use it as the name, but it doesn't help it from being trademark infringement if you use the domain Pure.ca for the same or similar goods or services as someone with a registered on the word PURE. Nor does it prevent UDRP or legal action or objection to your trademark, it still contains their entire trademark as in most cases a domain extension doesnt add to its distinctiveness as a mark.

Generally people add the extension to their trademarks because the term that they want to register is not registrable because it describes their goods and services. For example HOTELS.COM. They will claim no rights to the word HOTELS, but just to the mark as a whole.

Good luck

 

[MapleDots]

Be careful. Putting the extension as part of the name doesn't necessarily get you out of the woods. You may well be able to register 'Pure.ca' as a trademark or just use it as the name, but it doesn't help it from being trademark infringement if you use the domain Pure.ca for the same or similar goods or services as someone with a registered on the word PURE. Nor does it prevent UDRP or legal action or objection to your trademark, it still contains their entire trademark as in most cases a domain extension doesnt add to its distinctiveness as a mark.

Generally people add the extension to their trademarks because the term that they want to register is not registrable because it describes their goods and services. For example HOTELS.COM. They will claim no rights to the word HOTELS, but just to the mark as a whole.

Good luck

Of course due prudence would be done and trademark lawyers would be consulted.

 

[Want2learn]

Of course due prudence would be done and trademark lawyers would be consulted.

McDonalds has the Golden Arches, but McDowells has Golden Archs . . .