Parked Domains generate revenue?

[rufryder]

I have a question, didn't know where to post to get an accurate answer (e.g., input, comments, opinions, etc..). So, here it goes...... I notice many domains that are taken, however it looks like they are all whats called 'parked domains' I guess (sorry lack of knowledge). Are they worth it? I mean, do they actually generate any revenue? cost of domain, registrar fees, time and so forth. Just curious... thanks


If you own, lets say 50 domains....if the domain cost is $5.95 (cheapest), thats around $300.00 and if there are hosting fees or any other fees, which I do not know if there are.......does it normally pay off and how much is it roughly?

 

[amoeba]

It all depends on the domain names. For the really good ones, you can make many times the registration fee - heck, you can even retire. Most decent ones will at least pay back their registration fees. However, if you park asdfsdlkjhlkjh.com, you're not going to make any money.

 

[.X.]

It has always taken my names a little while to start generating revenue....i have learned that starting a mini site, optimizing it for search engines, Then getting it indexed in google, then park it, has been a suffient way to get traffic to my parked names

 

[Varon]

It has always taken my names a little while to start generating revenue....i have learned that starting a mini site, optimizing it for search engines, Then getting it indexed in google, then park it, has been a suffient way to get traffic to my parked names

Totally agree with that viewpoint. That is by far the best way to monetize a domain.

Best way would be to start small. Create a small portfolio of 8-10 domains. Don't start buying in a rush. Think carefully, check the overture tool, you could also try to find domains with existing traffic, check previous backlinks to expired domains. Secondly buy domains with good CPC keywords. That helps you make enough even with lesser traffic. Take your own time to buy domains.

I got into a buying frenzy many a time, and have some worthless domains in my bag. What might seem like a brilliant domain to you may not be the real life scenario. So read the forums, find out what types of domains are selling or getting traffic and garner good ideas. Read new technology news and find out whats gonna be a rage in the near future. The whole domain name game is won by the person who identifies the niche first and acts fast.

1-2 good domains can really give you a decent income, who knows, you may even be able to retire at 25 with just one good domain name. It is a gamble for sure.

Good luck.

 

[kiore]

Answering the original question, there are sites that will provide advertising for your domain name and give you a percentage of the advertising revenue generated.

Think of it as a partnership. You bring your capital in the form or registered domains and your labor as you typically select one of a number of predefined formats and appropriate keywords for your domain name. You also monitor the performance of your domains & optimize them within the available parameters. They bring their contract with an advertising company (such as Google) and their knowledge of automatically optimizing parking websites.

Occasionally you get a really good name & make a lot of money. More often you get a name that pays for its registration costs and generates a little extra.

 

[Spade]

I have a question, didn't know where to post to get an accurate answer (e.g., input, comments, opinions, etc..). So, here it goes...... I notice many domains that are taken, however it looks like they are all whats called 'parked domains' I guess (sorry lack of knowledge). Are they worth it? I mean, do they actually generate any revenue? cost of domain, registrar fees, time and so forth. Just curious... thanks


If you own, lets say 50 domains....if the domain cost is $5.95 (cheapest), thats around $300.00 and if there are hosting fees or any other fees, which I do not know if there are.......does it normally pay off and how much is it roughly?

The answer is... yes. You can park domain names and make money. I have a portfolio that currently is generating about $6.00 per day in revenue. That just about covers renewal fees. However, most of my domain names that make money have age on them, and would be considered "premium".

fresh registrations wont typically get much traffic - because quite frankly, no one is likely to type those in. If your starting out new, either acquire domains with traffic already or develop new domains into mini sites, or even full sites. You wont be able to just register and park them and then expect money to flow.

Justin

 

[advaita]

Ruf, to answer another of your questions, it doesn't cost anything apart from the registration fee. Go for the .com extension as this is the one people are most likely to type in. I am a beginner but have tried quite a few of the parking companies and to my mind the most profitable one has been Namedrive. Not large amounts but I think that may be something to do with the names I have registered. PM if you want more info re Namedrive.

 

[rufryder]

Thanks for everyone's input. I was just curious to see how much people can actually make and from average to max they have received within their porfolio. (I'm not looking to start a portfolio... just curious to know since these parked domains or not actual sites are everywhere)

Again, love the site here.. people are always helpful and willing to guide others.

 

[sierra]

Just to add my experience:

I'm new to buying domains - and have bought up a number of domains not to resell but develop longterm (only 5% of my portfolio I will ever resell as a standalone sale - as I purchased the latter just for kicks).

My only motivation for parking my domains was to have some control over the content, as my register was parking them for 'free' and the content they were pointing to was counterproductive to my domain objectives.

Now...these domains I've only recently acquired (less than a month) - and none of these appear to have ever been registered (maybe one has a history ending 2001). Within my first 2 days of parking with a company, I earned more than $3.00 on what I'd have called a cold site. I'm currently (still within my novice month) earning a steady on average .50c a day. These are domains that didn't exist before, so I'm a bit happy with their performance. I'm actually going to develop these domains as soon as I have the time - but parking is appearing to at least help me earn their keep in the meantime. I wasn't expecting those sort of returns until I had at least developed them in some way first.

What has surprised me - is that the domains I would think would pay well - parking-wise don't - and those I thought were rubbish for this kind of thing are doing well. Same goes with my perceived domain values - some of them I thought were 'gold' and are now I believe worthless (but not to me - just worthless to resell undeveloped) - and others that I bought I thought were iffy are seemingly worth something.

Edit: My own personal cardinal rule is to only buy (and now park) .com domains - and it's been hard as I have been tempted to stray further with some 'idea's' but with my budget / resources and personal objectives - I've had to be strict with that.

 

[kiore]

none of these appear to have ever been registered (maybe one has a history ending 2001). Within my first 2 days of parking with a company, I earned more than $3.00 on what I'd have called a cold site. I'm currently (still within my novice month) earning a steady on average .50c a day. These are domains that didn't exist before, so I'm a bit happy with their performance. I'm actually going to develop these domains as soon as I have the time - but parking is appearing to at least help me earn their keep in the meantime. I wasn't expecting those sort of returns until I had at least developed them in some way first.

Strange how this happens. My best paying parked domain has no PR & exactly one incoming link (from my portfolio). Sometimes you just get lucky with a name and get a lot of type ins.

I have a simple rule for my domains. "If it isn't deployed, it's parked" No matter how little revenue it generates from being parked, it can't be worse than earning nothing. :lol:

What has surprised me - is that the domains I would think would pay well - parking-wise don't - and those I thought were rubbish for this kind of thing are doing well.

After a couple of years parking & a year of being very serious about it, I'm still finding this. Experience can point out good domains to an extent, but it's still largely the luck of the draw.

I just go with my gut feel, if it works it's good. If it doesn't, find something else to do with the domain.

 

[cache]

does it really pay off if you convert your mini site to a parked site?
Do you lose your traffic then?

It has always taken my names a little while to start generating revenue....i have learned that starting a mini site, optimizing it for search engines, Then getting it indexed in google, then park it, has been a suffient way to get traffic to my parked names