Is it Harder or Easier to get into Domaining, now?

[Spade]

Ive had a few discussions with a few of my Domainer "friends" and colleagues. Many of them are under the impression that it is too late to become a successful domainer. Then again, many of them were under the impression it was too late a few years ago.

I spent this weekend considering this very question. Is it getting harder to become a domain investor, or easier?

The answer to this question is interesting. Because in a traditional sense, its getting more difficult. Its harder to acquire the premium domain names at reasonable prices. Parking revenue seems to be teetering off, and there is much more competition for names now, then ever before. However, in less traditional ways, I believe it is getting easier.

Consider the flow of information? Today all the pro's have blogs. Information is flowing on the forums, and after markets are springing up daily. There are more automated appraisal systems, there are more resources for hunting down domains and even more services to monetize them.

There are hundreds of different strategies a domainer can employee based on what kind of budget, time, and ROI he wants. It is my belief that anyone can come into this industry, and as long as they are willing to be patient, and learn. They could come into this game with as little as a few hundred dollars, and make solid investments. Even short term ones.

I think the biggest challenge for rookie domainers, is the learning curve. Because of the vast amount of information already out there, and the new information being created daily (new programs, news, valuations, market changes, ect) its exceptionally hard for a rookie to get the old data, and understand what the new data means.

As seen on this forum by several new domainers showing the results of there first 6 months and first year. It is absolutely possible.

 

[WolfMother]

I started about half a year ago, read nonstop, and with a small budget have managed to get about 800-1000% ROI. My biggest ROI has been acquiring names through some more obscure sources, and a few nice hand registrations. I am slowly developing some of my better names, and that is kind of paying off with PPC, not significantly yet.

It would have been nice to have the insight to do this 10 years ago, but like you said there are many different ways to earn an income online, and from domaining . I wouldn't say it's easy, but it's a fun challenge.

 

[hawkeye]

I'd think with some decent seed money, and the acquiring of knowledge of the whats/hows/dos/don'ts of domaining one could jump in the game now. Even with a little money, one could do it slowly. Obviously with a lot of money, one could jump in deeper. It depends also on one's idea of success in domaining, as in any field. Jumping into the Domaining game, at any time, is no different than any jumping into any industry though. It would have been nice to have gotten land for almost free in the Oklahoma Land Rush way back when, but the realtors etc., that deal in land and property etc. today, just have to deal with it in terms of todays market and prices. Those that jump in now or the future, just have to deal with the 'realities of today', and not the 'if only I had'(s) of yesterday.

 

[Coastalguy]

With a bit of knowledge and keeping up on trends etc, one can still do OK even starting out now. The .mobis were hot, then the .tvs, and anything "green" now is also hot.

With a bit of work (or luck) it's doable.

ST

 

[Napkin.com]

It's NOT too late,

but I am a believer that it takes more $$$
to make the big bucks now.

A few years ago, $10,000 could buy you a really strong domain name,
that you could now sell for $100K easily.

TODAY, if you want to make the big money, you have to be ready
to spend the big money...

which more people see as a "gamble", as opposed to opportunity.

 

[Dotmainer]

I see your question more general, not only about domaining.

If you are searching for contras, and "WHY NOT's" you will
always find some reasons.

My motto is "Too late, is when i think or tell thats too late".


Ok, years ago there were more domains to register,
but they were more expensive, and more risky.
Today they are cheaper, less risky and less are free to register.

It's never too late

 

[xman]

Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way

 

[Kate]

It is not too late but it's getting harder every day. Reason not to procrastinate
There are still opportunities left, not in the drops for the LLL .com (too much competition) but there are some very decent domains slipping through the cracks every day (I got a lot of names for $60).

Actually some of today's big players like Elequa or F. Schilling have been late to the game (3-4 years). When you are late there is a shortcut: money.
It takes money to make money. If you have some cash to invest now, domains are a smart investment. They appreciate faster than the stocks or anything else, if you know what you are doing.

Back in 2000 I was domaining a bit.
I had no idea of traffic and I did not know how to monetize. As a result I let a few good domains drop. Lesson learned.

Now on the plus side here is what we didn't have back in 2000:
- domain tasting
- a range of parking providers to monetize your names

In some way domaining is much easier today except that you've got a lot more competition and most good names are long gone :blink:

 

[Mark]

If you have Working Capital / Cashflow - It's still possible IMO .... But starting from scratch with no Cash or Development Talent , I'd say It's a long shot to "make it".

 

[NeeJam]

Its harder but with a little knowledge and luck you can get to the top by buying and selling the right names at the right prices and get those generics at a wholesale price rather then an end-user price

Some people are going to say its easier becuase of the information available but remember what works for someone else may or may not work for you! So my advice is do it yourself and learn from your experiences not others although if you take advice off others consider it and even execute it if you think it will benefit you!

Its possible though if you ride your luck and make some strategic moves or if you have a nice chunk of change

 

[sashas]

Here's a thread I started at DNF a couple of months ago when I was pretty hopeless about domaining:
http://www.DNF/showthread.php?t=236979
Got some very interesting responses. The people at DNF were very very helpful and got a lot of good advice.


Since that post, I've bought some good expired names and feel much more confident about domaining. I wouldn't say its harder, but if anybody's looking to make a lot of money with handregs alone, then I think that is a mistake.

 

[SpareDomains]

you can still make a dent today even with limited income, harder yes as dropping domains are grabbed from tasters, the publicity you see on blogs and dnjournal helps inform end users of the aftermarket but it also brings in more competition from new domainers that you may later find at a snapnames auction going up against you...

 

[omnia]

If you have Working Capital / Cashflow - It's still possible IMO .... But starting from scratch with no Cash or Development Talent , I'd say It's a long shot to "make it".

Its always doable, this statement applies to any business that you may want to start up, not only domaining.

 

[DNK.it]

I've started 2 month ago and I have done the common newby mistake. Also my native language isn't English as you can see^^. But I think that if you have the time to learn and a little budget to start nothing is impossible.

 

[Ronald Regging]

If you're willing to invest the time and effort you can be successful even with very little money. But if you do start with very little money, there is one major requirement that supersedes everything else... You must have the ability (mentally and financially) to reinvest all profits EXCLUSIVELY back into domaining.

I've made some very nice sales, yet I don't possess this ability (financially), so my growth in domaining has been seriously stunted.

 

[The Stealthy One]

I do believe it's getting harder to become a professional domainer. There's still opportunity, but the times when you could register a domain and make an easy flip are gone. Nowadays, the real money is had in purchasing an existing domain and either developing a site on it, or flipping it to someone else.

 

[JoeCanadian]

Too late? Not even close. Among the opportunities over the last year - .mobi, TV and the surge in 4 character .com domain values. With a willingness to work, the ability to see the next trend and a nose for value this market still has lots of opportunties. And I don't think it takes a lot of money either. This market is becoming more efficient all the time but there are still a lot more opportunities for arbitrage than you would find in an efficient market like the stock market.

 

[buymynames]

Not too late IMO... If you have the spare time to do research via forums, OVT, DRT, Goog, where to grab it, sell it, etc.., then you'll eventually know what to buy from your budget.

Goal is to exceed the cost per years registration and ability to know what sells 10X to 100X more

Set a $ limit to yourself and give it a shot. It's the only way to find out, applies to any venture.

 

[mbuna]

I think the real growth will be in the foreign markets.

 

[HcDomains]

I started domaining from last Aug. In the past 12 month, I learned a lot and sold some names with good ROI. Though I don't get any cash back yet (I re-invested all money from domain sales), I am quite enjoy this. Currently I have a portfolio which I think may worthy of $10K-20K.

So I believe it is nerver late to start sth.