New to domaining

[Stier]

Hello everyone!

I just started throwing myself at the domaining world, to me it is a very interesting way of trading which allows me to use my creative mind, which is one of my strongpoints.

Doing this gives me a thrill, the thrill of finding (in my opinion) a good marketable domainname is something I like and I might have gotten carried away with it, but still, no regrets. I like the challenge!

I have recently acquired 50 domains to start with (I have enough ideas to register me 1000 domains, but ill start of slow ), and my goal is to sell some of them before moving on. To that end I ask you, where did you guys start?

I started with registering some names which I think would be good, like comparingmortgages.com, crisiswatching.com and gptickets.net.

Now the next obvious step would be to find a place to sell those, but the more I look, the more it becomes unclear as what is the best option, there are brokers, SEDO, Godaddy, forums, you name it, I found it and it confuses me. Do I stick with one site/service, or do I list my domains on multiple places?

What has also been bothering me is, how do I get the right price for my domains? Do I start a high bid, or do I start low. Do I scare away people when starting too low and do I not risk selling something for not enough?
How do you guys value your domains? Im guessing through experience, well I reckon I'd have to get me some experience first but that will be no problem, but in the meantime I will have to make do with beginners luck and your help I guess.
I did find a multitude of sites which offer a value, but they all differ, Sedo tells me 349 Euro (close to 500 Dollars I think), while another side tells me close to 2000 Dollars.

Well, anyway, it is good to be here!

 

[Havela]

Hi there,
Welcome to Namepros

I'll give you the same advice that everyone gave me which I didn't listen to and nobody else seems to listen to either, but what the heck, it's still good advice: Try to sell some domains before you reg any more. Domains are much more illiquid than you think when you start out, and behind every success story there is at least ten failures that no one wants to talk about.

Personally I sold my first domains on GoDaddy auctions, which is where I recommend you to start out, because they have the most buyers. With decent pricing some of your 50 domains should sell there if they are worth anything at all. You could also try eBay and Nampros' sales section, but it is difficult to push domains for more than $10 - $15 on there.

 

[Stier]

Thanks Havela for the welcome

I'm definitaly going to stick to your "dont buy more" tip, I have 49 now, must be a good start
I am going to list some on godaddy right now, I signed up for the 4 Euro plan, ill just try the waters there.

My guess is that if my domain name is worth it, the bids will drive it up to the right price, am I correct?

 

[Havela]

if my domain name is worth it, the bids will drive it up to the right price, am I correct?

Difficult to answer. If you have a premium domain, like a 3-L .com, the bids will drive up the price to what is "right". For a mediocre domain, you might get more by contacting endusers directly. You'll just have to try.

Please note that GoDaddy have many auction formats. There are inter alia several "Buy Now" options. If you add your domain as a "Premium domain", non-TDNAM-members can add it to their cart without signing up for anything, but GD charges 30%. You also have the "buy now" option in regular TDNAM. Then you can just add your domain and leave it there for an unlimited period of time and just see if it gets any bid. Or you can choose any of the time-limited auction style formats.

 

[Stier]

Difficult to answer. If you have a premium domain, like a 3-L .com, the bids will drive up the price to what is "right". For a mediocre domain, you might get more by contacting endusers directly. You'll just have to try.

Please note that GoDaddy have many auction formats. There are inter alia several "Buy Now" options. If you add your domain as a "Premium domain", non-TDNAM-members can add it to their cart without signing up for anything, but GD charges 30%. You also have the "buy now" option in regular TDNAM. Then you can just add your domain and leave it there for an unlimited period of time and just see if it gets any bid. Or you can choose any of the time-limited auction style formats.

Thanks for the info. I would rate my domains in the mediocre category, they will be marketable through google by the enduser because they are exact keywords.

I have listed them all on godaddy, Im waiting for godaddy to start the auctions, they are now pending.

I have used the appraisal tool godaddy offered and went in the middle with that. My entire portfolio has cost me 400 euro up until now, so hopes up that I will have some sales.

You say contacting end users directly, what do you recommend? searching for potential buyers on google and sending them a mail (through the decisionmakers I find on linkedin for example).

How fast do auctions on godaddy go usually? I did not pick the premium auction option, Im comfortable to just sit on them for a while.

Btw, read your blogpost from your signature, nice one!

 

[Havela]

Btw, read your blogpost from your signature, nice one!

Thanks

When it comes to contacting endusers I recommend reading this thread:

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/68798-how-to-find-potential-end-users.html

Some of it is outdated but still good and there is newer stuff at the end.

I can't really say anything general about how long it will take for a domain to sell on GD. Some sell immediately - but most never sell. It all depends on the domain. If your domains are handregs, it is likely that most of them will never sell.

 

[Stier]

Thanks

When it comes to contacting endusers I recommend reading this thread:


Some of it is outdated but still good and there is newer stuff at the end.

I can't really say anything general about how long it will take for a domain to sell on GD. Some sell immediately - but most never sell. It all depends on the domain. If your domains are handregs, it is likely that most of them will never sell.

Awesome, bookmarked the thread and reading it after pressing post!

Well I'm hoping that my handregs (which they are) do sell after some time. Is it smart to post a list here?

 

[Havela]

Is it smart to post a list here?

If you have halfway decent domains, you'll probably be able to sell them on here for $$10 - 20, but you will never get more than reseller pricing. Domainers are looking to make a profit, after all, and there are no endusers here. You should have a look in the auction thread in the sales section and see what type of domains sell and what prices they fetch.

If you're not very sensitive and eager to get feedback, you could try posting your domains in the appraisal section to see what the other members think. Note: The appraisers are generally conservative so you'll most likely get "reg fee" or "grace delete" unless your domain has a very obvious resale value. (Update: All right, I see you've already found it )

 

[Stier]

If you have halfway decent domains, you'll probably be able to sell them on here for $$10 - 20, but you will never get more than reseller pricing. Domainers are looking to make a profit, after all, and there are no endusers here. You should have a look in the auction thread in the sales section and see what type of domains sell and what prices they fetch.

If you're not very sensitive and eager to get feedback, you could try posting your domains in the appraisal section to see what the other members think. Note: The appraisers are generally conservative so you'll most likely get "reg fee" or "grace delete" unless your domain has a very obvious resale value. (Update: All right, I see you've already found it )

Thanks Havela, Ill think ill post my complete list. It will be in the appraissal part in a bit

I just got an email from a party offerign $5000 for one of the domains, sounded interested but now he wants me to do an appraissal first. At a link he suggested..

Effin scammers

 

[Havela]

I just got an email from a party offerign $5000 for one of the domains, sounded interested but now he wants me to do an appraissal first. At a link he suggested..

Effin scammers

It happens to everyone. Seems to me that the appraisal scammers take their cue from new Sedo listings. They typically contact people 2 - 3 days after they first list a domain on Sedo. Was that the case for you too?

 

[Stier]

It happens to everyone. Seems to me that the appraisal scammers take their cue from new Sedo listings. They typically contact people 2 - 3 days after they first list a domain on Sedo. Was that the case for you too?

Yes, exactly. Luckily I'm smart enough to realize a serious buyer wont require me to pay before selling..