Forbes 1000 World’s Billionaires - Why Are There None Domain Investor on that List?

[elevator]

Having viewed through the list of 1000 World Billionaires on forbes website; I could not find anyone among domain investors on that list, and from hence, I have being asking myself series of questions as to why not a single domain investor on that list. There are several people running minor businesses that could not be compared to domain investment on that list.

There are people from differs background and professions and some that I could recognize as petty sales personnel; such as iced cream and coffee sellers on that list. Could it mean domain business is not so dynamic and lucrative, that no one among domain investors could make that list? What baffles me was that, on several occasions, I have heard of many sales of domains worth six and seven figures; even written in black and white on various marketplaces, including dnjournal.com etc.

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[Keith]

There are no pure domainers but plenty of people have made billions from internet businesses.

 

[33S]

because it's a small market

 

[main]

You'd have to have sold 1,000 domains for $1 million each to even have grossed $1 billion.

 

[Keith]

You'd have to have sold 1,000 domains for $1 million each to even have grossed $1 billion.

Or create 1 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter...

 

[Area52]

Oh to be a billionaire. The domains I would buy!

 

[bigbagofbricks]

Or create 1 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter...

Well that has nothing to do with domaining.

 

[johname]

Why Are There None Domain Investor on that List?
You become a billionaire by putting together a company that people cannot live without, and that they pay you a monthly fee for your service, and they keep paying you again and again(like godaddy) Not by purchasing one-off domain names and after you sell them wonder how the heck you're going to replace the name at a decent price.

"iced cream and coffee sellers"

If you make the best darn coffee or icecream for the price you can grow to be a billionaire.

But with domain you have to keep flipping the same quality domains. Margin squeeze

 

[offersity]

Bill gates probably 'owns' one of the best .com portfolios thru microsoft, but that said, domaining is not a real business for any billionaire, just not big enough money there

 

[Brandon.Domains]

Because it's a completely different league. Sure, domains were sold for 10+ million but to be a billionaire you need to have at least 1,000 million or more. Completely different playground.

Brandon

 

[garptrader]

While those who entered the industry fifteen years ago or more have done very well, domaining is still at the bottom of the food chain. Look at TechCrunch and read how many millions of dollars in funding some startups are raising. Then read about the reg fee domain they are using to launch their business. OK sometimes they might buy an aftermarket domain for up to $5k. The reality is domaining is a very tough business and the weekly sales reports can be misleading in that they create a perception that domaining is easy money. The reality is portfolio turnover is very low in this industry and the renewal costs necessary to get that one sale often wipe out the value of the sale (or most of it). There are more than 200 million registered domains and more than ten million new TLD registrations - a large portion of which are in the hands of investors. Until end users place more value on the branding benefits of a domain name, domainers will probably do better focusing on their careers outside domaining or launching a real business with one of or a few of their best domains (i.e. Castello brothers).

 

[SandersDesign]

For most domaining is hobby based on a desire to collect. Flipping a domain is exciting and if done regularly provides a side income. Domaining is normally partnered with other services such hosting, brand consulting, design etc. The market is simply to small to build a billion dollar business in by just selling ones own inventory. The guys making real money are registars and marketplaces not domainers.

 

[DANEYAL]

I don't think domainers really cares about being millionaires or billionaires. Finishing a Good Sale is something that definitely matters, all other things 'who cares'/.

 

[elevator]

Thank you all for your various responses in your various views.
But I found this on Ricksblog while working along, according to his predictions: Titled:

Prediction: 10″Pure Domainers” Selected for Forbes 400 Billionaires List by 2035

http://www.ricksblog.com/2012/12/pr...s-400-billionaires-list-by-2035/#.VmXmwF5SuyA

Cheers.