I've spent months on here trying to learn.. Can't find even one domain I want to buy.

[bigbagofbricks]

So I have a big interest in domaining but just don't have the knack for it I think.

I want to stick to education type domains so initially, I got eduxo.com (mostly for a personal project) and it got accepted to brandbucket. Then I got eduvy.com and it got rejected.

Since then, I haven't found anything to handreg or that's going to drop that I like.

I like the community but I think I'm going to forget about this business and concentrate on web dev.

Anyone else just decide that it's not for them before even starting?

 

[DomainVP]

Anyone else just decide that it's not for them before even starting?

Soar with your strengths, stick to what works for you.

You are not alone. Most people aren't successful with domaining and quit because they quickly find out how challenging and expensive it is to be successful, especially starting now.

Some people will spin the cheerful advice of, "Starting now is the best day to get started." Yet, sometimes not starting at all is a good idea.

 

[Silentptnr]

So I have a big interest in domaining but just don't have the knack for it I think.

I want to stick to education type domains so initially, I got eduxo.com (mostly for a personal project) and it got accepted to brandbucket. Then I got eduvy.com and it got rejected.

Since then, I haven't found anything to handreg or that's going to drop that I like.

I like the community but I think I'm going to forget about this business and concentrate on web dev.

Anyone else just decide that it's not for them before even starting?

You haven't said what your goals were? What were you looking for that you didn't find? Couple of names is not domaining. Finding a hand reg domain that you like is not domaining. I will tell you that successful domainers are highly skilled, multi-talented, business people. Domaining is not for everyone.

The good news is that you can keep learning for free and pursue your web dev! No reason to stop learning now!

 

[Ab Peter]

There is a learning curve in domaining, You are at one, right now, This is a curve, you either bend through the curve or will be off road if you insist on going in a straight.

 

[bigbagofbricks]

Soar with your strengths, stick to what works for you.

You are not alone. Most people aren't successful with domaining and quit because they quickly find out how challenging and expensive it is to be successful, especially starting now.

Some people will spin the cheerful advice of, "Starting now is the best day to get started." Yet, sometimes not starting at all is a good idea.

Yeah, I think you're right!

You haven't said what your goals were? What were you looking for that you didn't find? Couple of names is not domaining. Finding a hand reg domain that you like is not domaining. I will tell you that successful domainers are highly skilled, multi-talented, business people. Domaining is not for everyone.

The good news is that you can keep learning for free and pursue your web dev! No reason to stop learning now!

My goal was to get 20-30 quality names and sit on them. Not too much interest in flipping or following the trends like chips. I don't have a set amount to invest but I have a decent amount of savings.. I could throw 5k at it to start with but as I say, I can't see anything.

I guess I'm just frustrated. Most of the names I like aren't being used and the owners aren't replying. I can't find anything I like on the drops. And there's almost nothing to hand-reg apart from brandables which I initially liked the idea of till I read more.

It's a far more difficult game than I initially thought it would be. I guess I'm happy I haven't put money into it yet.

 

[aramyus]

You seem to concentrate on brandable domains and BB. Keep in mind that BB has a small percentage of sold domains each year. I often read in forums that only 2% domains of domains offerend on BB are sold each year. My own observations recoup this figure. If you sell only through BB, you should be prepared to wait.

Buying 'killer domains' (those that get unsollicited offers) is not an easy task either. It's like high quality pieces of antiques: most transactions are not visible to the humble mortal.

You might want to investigate some other business approaches (for example domains for local businesses). They require more day to day work, have lower margins, but they can be less frustrating for a newcomer.

 

[usernamex]

I read the same as @aramyus about brandables, and am glad I did before buying any more

@bigbagofbricks - If you haven't seen this thread, it is an excellent read
https://www.namepros.com/threads/follow-my-20dollar-to-a-baller-challenge.938384/

After reading that, is that what you had in mind? Or is it more like you want to invest and are looking long term? What does long term mean to you - a year, 5 years?

What kind of names have you been trying to purchase that you are getting no response from the owners? Are you just sending email to the whois email? I am curious if there would be other ways to approach those owners.

 

[Pattern]

Don't quit and keep grinding, lots of people have failed when they first started out and got to where they are simply because they stuck with it.

 

[DNabc]

When starting it's a mistake to focus on brandables... there are no metrics that can guide you so most people end up buying worthless domains.

 

[Asfas1000]

Usually the problem is we find too many domains we would want to buy...

 

[Kate]

I want to stick to education type domains so initially, I got eduxo.com (mostly for a personal project) and it got accepted to brandbucket. Then I got eduvy.com and it got rejected.

I guess that's how many of us started. In the early days I was looking for domains to develop and I went on to explore the drop process in order to acquire abandoned domains.

Since then, I haven't found anything to handreg or that's going to drop that I like.

It's pretty normal... few good domains drop anymore. If you want to get good domains you need to go where they are... It's possibly a good sign that you don't like the dropping names. Deep inside you know these names are leftovers and you don't want to settle for inferior domains just because they are available. That could mean two things: either you missed the hidden gems, or you have a critical mindset - which is a good thing.

I like the community but I think I'm going to forget about this business and concentrate on web dev.

Domaining is hard, but for most people it is a hobby. If you want to make money, you must be dedicated and treat it like a real business. The experience acquired in domaining can't hurt when you are a web developer. If you understand the value of good domains, and have better than average domains, you are a step ahead from your competitors.

There is a long learning curve in domaining, it can take a lot of time to master the trade so this is a business that rewards those who are patient and focused. It literally took me years to understand what makes a good domain name - I think I now get it more or less but you learn something new every day.

 

[deez007]

I think you should consider doing both web development and domaining. They work hand in hand, you can develop some of your domains and also sell domains.

 

[golan]

It's very good you are so cautious. This way you won't bear much loss. But from another hand, this way you won't learn much nor gain much own experience, either.

 

[Aaron.A]

You may be further ahead in the game than you think and smarter than a lot of people on here (myself included) who read about domaining, went out and registered lots, sometimes hundreds of pointless domains only to realise a year or two later they're all garbage.

Knowing good domains is easy, knowing a bad domain is easy, it's in the middle where things get that bit harder

But being able to skip by domains without the impulse to panic buy is a good quality to have in my opinion. Maybe in time with more experience, you'll develop the instinct and confidence to know a good domain when you see one.

I gave up on domaining for a while, then woke up one morning with an email from afternic saying I'd sold a .net for $500, my first ever sale (hand reg). Since then I've been learning as much as possible and treating it as a hobby while making enough sales to let me know it's worth it.

If your budget only allows you to buy in the middle ground, every buy will only ever be an educated gamble.

Good luck whichever path you choose.