How about a new section devoted to starting and running a "domaining" business?

[SlimPickins]

Howdy,

just an idea, but maybe we could have a section devoted to consolidating information on the how-to's of starting a "domaining" oriented business, so that people that might be unclear or overwhelmed with the process can more easily find resources regarding incorporation (ie what type), pros/cons about where to do it, resources on how to track things such as expenses and deal with domain "income", taxes etc.... maybe we could have a section devoted to the US and a "non-US" section to keep the legal issues a bit more separated for ease of search.

I think that a lot of people that maybe do this as a hobby, but are keen to incorporate but not sure where to begin/how to actually run an online business from home, would find it a great resource. And we certainly have plenty of successful domaining members, within the US and abroad, that could shed some light on the process and give tips etc....

If it grows maybe we could expand it to include subsections for CPA resources and whatnot.

Thoughts?

 

[Eric Lyon]

Most our forums cover just about everything related to domaining, even how to get started which is a common topic in the newbie forum. We also have a Business Development forum whos intention was to be all about Domain Business Development. I think if we could get more people to post in the Business Development forum it could turn more into what your suggesting. I think it might be easier to fill the existing Business forum with more helpful content than starting another one.

We can always add sub forums to the business development forum such as "Taxes, Government Resources, Incorporating, etc." We already have sub-forums in the business development forum for "Joint Ventures & Marketing". We just need more content / Threads to justify opening another sub-forum, at which time we can move those on-topic threads to their new sub-forum to help it get started.

If you would like to get several useful resource threads started, it could help in the expansion process for new sub-forums.

Eric Lyon

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

Hmm, looking at the business section, 2 of the the forums would actually fit better as sub-forums to Parking & Monetizing. Since that forum states its for all different ways to monetize your domain, the forums " PPC / CPC / CPM Programs" & "Affiliate Talk" seem like they would do better as sub-forums to the "Parking & Monetizing" forum.

We could then move the business category up higher & just under the domain name discussion category to get it more exposure.

A slight re-organization to match things up better and trim down on some of the excess forums that seem a little out of place.

Eric Lyon

 

[SlimPickins]

I really think that having a well laid-out section under business as a starter, covering a lot of the various aspects of domaining as a "legitimate" business, instead of just on the side/as a hobby, would be great.... looking at the business section as it is, I really did not see the topics I brought up "fitting" as of now. But, with a restructure and maybe adding a few "ribs to the skeleton" to help members actually know where to post it might help it grow. I think anything we can do to help members, and the public at large, operate and view domaining as a legitimate "business" the better. And really, getting tips from people you kind of "know" on the forum is perhaps more comfortable then googling and landing on some strangers site with "tips".

Also, another idea I had that sort of applies but also is more general, is to look into creating special usergroups for specialists that are relevant to our industry, such as lawyers specializing in internet/domains etc, CPA's that actually know their way around in regards to domains and taxes, and to set them up with a special usergroup, and easy to see badges, AFTER having been verified as being what they claim by staff.... that would help separate the wheat from the chaff when viewing replies from members... sure, many know who Mr. Berryhill is, but not everyone, and essentially anyone can "claim" to be something in their usertitle and signature etc. Give them some special incentives like biz advertising for contributing here and offering some initial advice etc, that might lead to business for them and a more "informed" NP membership as well.

Maybe we could leave this thread for awhile and members that find it worthwhile could suggest general "sections" that they think would be useful and we could plump up the business section and work towards having a top-notch section that can help every domainer make the transition from hobby to business, and streamline the process of doing it effectively and successfully.

 

[Eric Lyon]

The verification process could prove to be a little difficult with all the unlicensed businesses and easy to set up 800 number's now days. It would probably require Phone contact, Physical (USPS) Mail being on company letter head, A verifiable listing in the yellow pages, A verifiable listing with their local chamber of commerce, A BBB listing, An assumed name certification listed with the county clerks office, etc.. (And similar for other countries with a verifiable business structure).

It's doable, but would be a lengthy and rigorous process for each applicant.

 

[Eric Lyon]

Just finished typing up some general U.S. Tax info. & stickied it in the business forum to get a little more useful content started there: http://www.namepros.com/business-development/779754-u-s-irs-domain-business-tax.html

Eric Lyon

 

[maksimfa]

Eric, it was a good one. If you want, albeit a new domain hoarder, I am an experienced financial planner and advisor, I can write up some articles/posts about starting and running an online business, investment/retirement planning for individual business owner, and discussion of other topics, such as types of business entity (sole prop, corp, LLC), as well as protection planning for solo business owners, like disability insurance. I have already written an article about estate planning which would apply for domainers, as let's be honest... who's next of kin, be it parents, wife or children know as much about what we do.

Make sure your loved ones know about your hidden wealth - Maks Financial Services, Princeton, NJ

 

[Eric Lyon]

Thanks maksimfa, if you would like to contribute and add more useful articles to the business forum that would be great. Once we get enough unique content articles of a given category topic, we can make a sub-forum for it & move the related information over to it (if needed). We want to avoid self advertising for obvious reasons though, so just keep that in mind for now.

Eric Lyon

 

[Eric Lyon]

Just finished a "Starting a U.S. Business 101" article for the business forum to help a bit more: http://www.namepros.com/business-development/779805-starting-legal-u-s-business-101-a.html

Eric Lyon