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?

 

[Dave]

For those that have known me since my early days here, I used to turn a lot of ideas into websites. I was heavily involved in open source and built many sites early on. I was young and full of ideas.

What I realised was that nobody ever trusted your site, project or whatever when you had a crappy domain.

That is what originally got me into domaining.

Now I stay for the fun of it.

 

[Bertrell]

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.

Just to add on to what you said about ToughDomains--what they're able to provide does make life easier, in terms of what I want to do with the bulk of my domains (thanks @toughdomains!)

The only difference between us, I think, is I did (and still do) a great deal of site/page-lander creation from scratch. While I do have an IT background, it definitely didn't involve making websites/coding HTML, so that part--I had to learn (and I'm still learning).

I started out with Weebly and Yola and maintained a few sites along with a blog in the early to mid-2000s. I was dabbling with affiliate marketing, but I never really made any substantial headway with it at that time. Back then, it hadn't occurred to me to try to invest in domains to sell them. I stopped around 2008, and resumed in 2017 (after having gotten better acquainted with HTML and with the idea of selling domains).

I use multiple markets and registrars, and I try to keep up with deals and special offers as best I can.

I do know that I've learned A LOT just by paying attention to what goes on here in the forums on this site. Because of that, I wish to say THANK YOU to everyone who participates and contributes--it motivates me to help others when the opportunities arise, and that's a great environment to be a part of.

Whatever it is I'm doing with domain names--it allows me to channel some creativity on a regular basis. Buying is ok, selling is great and renewals can be a headache sometimes.

Once more: Whatever it is I'm doing with domain names--I'm still having fun with it!

 

[mitok]

Why domaining?

Because I dont have to wear a *ucking tie anymore neither I have to go to work when I am not in a mood to work! No more "working meetings", no more monthly and annual plans, no more traffic jams because I am not crazy to go out during the rush hours now, no more extra-time at work, no more pretending you like the board of directors, no more only 2-3 weeks of vacation during summer when I can take 2-3 months now, no more getting up from bed if I did not get enough of sleep, I can work from anywhere where I can access the Internet including the beach, park etc... I can be binging Nat Geo documentaries all night if I like as I will not be sleepy the next day as I dont own an alarm watch anymore!

Since 2011 domaining is my main job. However, its hard to say I am a full-time domainer as from the beginning of the last World Cup (football/soccer) in June 2018 I am almost constantly on vacation and only these days I am starting my engines again You cant be so lazy when you are in corporate world.

Did I mention that I am making more money now compared with the time when the tie was struggling me every day and when I was sleepy and tired every day?

Well, thats why domaining!

Of course, domaining is a job (or at least a proper domaining), but the best job in the world!

Thank you domaining for enslaving me from corporate world and from being a slave. Domaining is freedom!

 

[The Durfer]

its simply neat having something in the world that there is only one of, ok two things, thumbprints. lol.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I love ideas, writing, communication, numbers, and people.

Thanks @Want2learn for starting one of the more interesting threads over last few days. I must also say that your post, especially the part I quoted above, captures exactly why I have found this an interesting new passion in retirement (held a few domains in earlier decades, but only really got into it last two years).

Just to expand on my personal perspective, I like that following the domain world also takes me on a route through the most interesting developing ideas in technology, social trends, marketing, investment and other areas.

While I have never been a professional communicator, it has been a critical part of all of my career. I see effective domain names, like you, as a key part of effective communication, an organization sharing their authentic story.

Numbers. I suspect that I would not be as passionate about domains, well I know I would not, if it were not for the NameBio database. I love testing hunches, looking for evidence, and trends. Thank you @Michael for giving our community such an incredible tool, now even better with the subscription options.

People. In a DNW interview when @Michael Cyger was asked to reflect back on his time in domaining, the first thing he mentioned was the great people. I so look forward to meeting some of them in person at NamesCon this year (my first domain conference!).

Anyway, thank you for a superb idea for a thread. Have a nice day everyone.

Bob

 

[jamaltq]

Addicting + Suspense

 

[J Sokol]

Because I dont have to wear a *ucking tie anymore neither I have to go to work when I am not in a mood to work! No more "working meetings", no more monthly and annual plans, no more traffic jams because I am not crazy to go out during the rush hours now, no more extra-time at work, no more pretending you like the board of directors, no more only 2-3 weeks of vacation during summer when I can take 2-3 months now, no more getting up from bed if I did not get enough of sleep, I can work from anywhere where I can access the Internet including the beach, park etc... I can be binging Nat Geo documentaries all night if I like as I will not be sleepy the next day as I dont own an alarm watch anymore!

Well said.

 

[STIJL]

Working in the design/development industry we see a lot of domains purchased for projects that never get launched and eventually get listed for sale. We had to create a webhosting, domain management company in effort to manage clients websites and domain portfolios.

Domain names have an intrinsic value regardless of it’s traffic or it’s history which drives a certain level of investor/developers to buy, sell and develop.

 

[businesses]

low activity in domain industry

 

[~ The 34 Year Buzz!!]

Addicting + Suspense

It's just fun

Too much Fun some of the time..

 

[Mohamed Ahmaid]

McDonalds has the Golden Arches, but McDowells has Golden Archs

A Funny thing that me and frined in the past been planning to start a highway restaurant and we've chosen McNadm as a brand name !
McNadm in Libyan (arabic) means you'll not regart.

Well, I like domaining cuz it's limitless & full of surprises
you never know what is next.

 

[wizard]

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?

Best of luck to you in this game work hard pays off

 

[lock]

As long as your good at both sides. The buying is what we focus on but the selling retaining that margin that is the gift. A true sales person loves profit and there are not a lot of items that can retain as much margin.