How to start 'domaining'?

[jdab]

Posting in the newbies forum as I would consider myself a newbie.

I have had an interest in domain names for a while, but could only dream of making sales of $x,xxx+.

In this day and age and with the lack of available .com/.net etc domain names, do you think it's possible for someone like me to get involved in the industry?

I'm not in any way looking to make a living out of this, but it would be nice to earn a few bucks here and there.

 

[The New Guy]

1. Spend time searching for godaddy coupons. Sure, you'll spend just as much time complaining about their service later, and you could use the time chasing coupons doing silly stuff like research, but a 2.99 coupon is a 2.99 coupon.

2. Think of two or three popular words and throw them together.
For example: 'Cloud' is popular. So is 'Bitcoin'. And everybody likes pizza. So why not register cloudbitcoinbpizza.com and cover all your bases at once?

3. Don't worry about grammar or proper use of plural vs singular. 'BuyGarbagesOnline.com' makes perfect sense and could be worth millions.

4. Trademarks, schmademarks. Were you able to register 'NikeIphonecases.com'? Good for you! It's a surefire winner, and anyone who says "trademark issues" is just a H8R who wishes they had thought of it first.

5. If the unthinkable happens and the domains you registered 11 months ago didn't sell, go on various domain forums / ebay and unload them for whatever you can get in order to keep going. Maybe a package deal for cloudbitcoinbpizza.com, BuyGarbagesOnline.com, NikeIphonecases.com and a triple-hyphenated domain to be named later. Sell all of them for $4 and after paypal fees you'll have enough left to buy a new domain that might make you rich - as long as you can find a $2.99 godaddy coupon!

 

[forge]

Don't start. Domaining is the "gateway drug" to personal misery and self-loathing. But if that's your bag, then heck, go for it.

 

[wot]

Look at what is selling on the forums, auction houses, Sedo,Afternic etc. to get a feel for what the market wants. Do not try to come up with cutesy names that you think are good, very good chance you are the only one who thinks so,follow the markets,follow the trends.

Look at new trends, check out future technology blogs, forums. One of the best chances of getting a gem. BitcoinWallet.com is a great example, registered in 2010 and sold for $xxx,xxx. Just be aware though, for each new potential "big sale" there will likely be hundreds if not thousands of also rans that will never sell.

This is a tough time to be coming in to the market, so many generally useless gtlds flooding the market and suckering in so many people. Prices and volumes of sales are at a very low ebb.

BUT - that first sale will have you swinging from the chandeliers.

Then reality will set in! :D

 

[HeyNow]

Posting in the newbies forum as I would consider myself a newbie.

I have had an interest in domain names for a while, but could only dream of making sales of $x,xxx+.

In this day and age and with the lack of available .com/.net etc domain names, do you think it's possible for someone like me to get involved in the industry?

I'm not in any way looking to make a living out of this, but it would be nice to earn a few bucks here and there.

1) Perform Google search for "domain shill bidding scandal," then read the various articles - there are many.
2) Perform Google search for "Godaddy VP caught bidding against customers" and read the resulting article(s).
3) Beware of domain "news" websites that hold industry scoundrels in high esteem.
4) Realize that these forums are mostly to cheer-lead for positive domain activity, so remember that as you read unbelievable, logic-defying posts.

Okay, now you're set with a little more knowledge of real value.

 

[carob]

Some good advice here. This is a risky and also pretty dirty business.

My advice? Save up some money for a holiday in Vegas. Put all the money in cash on your kitchen table. Ask yourself what you could buy with that money or what you could do for fun with it, or whether it would be fun throwing it out the window on a sunny, windy day. Then if you feel prepared to lose all of it with nothing to show for it, start spending some of it on domains and be prepared to lose all of it.

Most people lose money on domains and then give up, the registrars and the big players are the winners. But a few others beat the odds, or at least enjoy themselves trying. Good luck.

 

[forge]

The best place I can think of to start is domainsherpa.com

Urrrrrrpppp. The best place to start is to just roll up your shirtsleeves, put on your waders and then jump into the muck. Go with your instincts. Of course they will belie you. Learn by your mistakes. Be smart about your choices. Lately I've been hearing new domainers (or maybe not so new) registering domains because they thought the name was clever or funny, or going gangbusters on new gTLDs just on a lark. Maybe that's part of the joy of having a hobby, but it sure as hell isn't good business sense.

Best of luck.

 

[NameOmnia]

Simply be aware that you will make mistakes. Many. And costly. That is inevitable.
What you do with your mistakes and what you learn from them it's what will make the difference between success and failure.

 

[D. Wells]

Buy a domain and try to sell it and congratulations you are a domainer!

As noted above domaining is an art, not a science. No one here can tell you to do a,b,c and z... The golden days are over where you will reg million dollar names... You have to find your own way to make money in this business,, Whether it is buying revenue names, quick flipping, or buying premiums and holding until the right offer comes alone.

Don't listen to all the bullshit about buy this and that and do this and that... Because, if you do, I guarantee you will lose money chasing pipe dreams...

Every name is not going to sell for big bucks, you have to know when to hold them and when to fold them... Don't think you are going to make tons of money, chances are slim. But, if done right you could live comfortable and make a mid 5-figure income or whatever...

Good luck though...

 

[The New Guy]

What was your plan for this domain when you registered it?

Step 1: Register domain
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!

 

[The New Guy]

But it's really the new domainer mantra

Step 1. Buy a brandable (QuteZ.com.. pronounced Kyute-zee)
Step 2. ?
Step 3. Profit... because it's brandable.

Perhaps we should defined brandable.

Brandable: nounjative
A domain name possessing one or more of the following qualities:
1: Shorter that 20 letters, numbers, or hyphens
2: Easily pronounceable, or pronounceable after a brief explanation of how to pronounce it
3: Costing less than $10 but theoretically able to sell for 100 to 1000 times that (if a branding site accepts it)
4: Nothing you would ever use for a site, but there must be someone out there that will like it, right?

 

[Kate]

It's never too late.
What you need:
a. education and experience => domaining is more art than science and you won't learn it all overnight but there's plenty of material for free
b. funding => you don't have spend thousands at once, but rather than buy 100 regfee domains, buy a few quality domains on the aftermarket. Quality > quantity.

 

[DU]

Step 1: Register domain
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!

This probably belongs in the "what would you do differently thread" but I think
Step 1. Collect Underpants

Would be better.

What was your plan for this domain when you registered it?

But it's really the new domainer mantra

Step 1. Buy a brandable (QuteZ.com.. pronounced Kyute-zee)
Step 2. ?
Step 3. Profit... because it's brandable.

Perhaps we should defined brandable.

 

[Name Trader]

This is ancient news. Please provide a link with such claims.

 

[N-A]

Damn. NamePros never stops to amuse me with all these 'where to start domaining' threads.

People jam regurgitated shit down the OP's throat, when he asked a simple question: "where to start domaining?"

It's ironic that this question always seems to be posted on a domaining forum with domainers bound to make a name for themselves by putting in their 2 cents on where to begin or how to do it... when it's all in this forum, buried alive by new posts just like this one.

Don't let newbies take the easy way out. With all the information you're pumping at them, it's the same BS found in other threads. Let them read and find out what worked for who and why, rather than compile it in an easy 1-3 paragraph reason.

 

[NPer]

It all starts in the mind.

That's the truth.

 

[DreamZ55]

Yes its never too late to Domain.

 

[Nattydomain]

I started in 2007 and trust me I have made mistakes. Piss poor ones to be exact but you live and learn. Sure there will always be domains that can be had for $X and XX and resold for $X,XXX. Now it may not be the next day or even next week. Sometimes its months and years of renewals but if you feel your name is suitable and has a real purpose then there is a buyer out there.....they just have to say YES to your asking price

 

[Kate]

Now my earlier post may seem uplifting, but I still need to stress that most domainers are losing money, even though they have been domaining for years and are no longer newbies. Just don't get carried away, start small, and don't fall for the hype. This industry is full of traps

 

[RCO]

The best place I can think of to start is domainsherpa.com

 

[Name Trader]

Any books you would recommend?

How about the one in his signature?

 

[forge]

Don't listen to all the bullshit about buy this and that and do this and that... Because, if you do, I guarantee you will lose money chasing pipe dreams...

You had me at "Don't listen"

:D

great post, the run-of-the-mill cheerleading just doesn't hold water IMO

 

[forge]

This ebook has been free for the last two or three years with many people happily downloading it at no costs ……..i must be a real bum to ask a whole couple of dollars after offering it for free for so long

I admit I didn't due my research, what you've done is generous just that in my experience most are far from it. Personally I've never felt the need to read other domainers' tomes, but again I commend you for putting your stuff out there for a pittance.

 

[DnEbook]

I admit I didn't due my research, what you've done is generous just that in my experience most are far from it. Personally I've never felt the need to read other domainers' tomes, but again I commend you for putting your stuff out there for a pittance.

Cheers

 

[Name Trader]

What was your plan for this domain when you registered it?