question Self-hosted or hosted domain portfolio?

[Atta]

The question is pretty much self-explanatory.

How are you managing your domain name portfolio? / What are your future plans for managing your domains?

I would appreciate your response.

Thanks.

 

[briguy]

More self control and no commissions. But Efty is quite nice, with no big expenses, IMHO.

Another reason for me..is that I can post my own ads (affiliate links etc) on it

Re-arrange it in any way that i want. Top part of the page before you scroll gets more views!

 

[kam]

Self-host is always the best. You can do a lot of customization that create competitive advantage.

Let's say I am familiar with VB.net framework. I can easily create a desktop application to connection to mysql database and make it much more convenience for bulk edit.
I found that web interface is always not the best for those task. I can even add some some new fields into the datatable and using my app to update those record

3rd party hosted is only a temporary solution for those haven't build up their own site yet.
I believed every serious domainer will finally go for self-host when their portfolio getting bigger and bigger.

The bigger reason I don't like 3rd party hosted service is because those public nameservers had million of domains point to them. It will be finally detected and blocked by ad-blockers.

The big corporation must have firewall installed. What if the 3rd party nameserver unlucky got blocked by those firewall / adblocker. It may lead to we lose a potential sales from big buyer.

Kam

 

[Bob Hawkes]

This is one question I am very neutral on. If you don't have the skills or time to do a good job on self-hosted AND to keep it current, then for sure go the Efty or a marketplace such as Undeveloped that have good landers.

I think the main advantage, beyond those already listed, of self-hosting is that you can easily transform a parking/landing page into a several page mini-site that may attract traffic (and possibly revenue) that will eventually result in a lead to a sale.

Also, by self-hosting, you can do the arrangement in a way suited to your portfolio. Efty have lots and lots of lander choices, and an excellent set of categories, but it may not perfectly match your portfolio no matter how much you tweak it.

Also if you handle only a handful of extensions, the broad list on services like Undeveloped are not optimum for your potential clients.

If you self-host you can also put in links that suit your name. For example if you want to link to information for potential end users to articles that guide them through the steps in a domain transfer and answers FAQs.

I think both options can, and do, work excellently for domain investors. One advantage of a service like Efty is that I think it gives potential end users more of a sense of comfort than I site hosted by someone that they know nothing about.

Bob

 

[MapleDots]

I self host because I want to be fully in control, I find a lot of the hosted services to have too much down time.

I have my own....

WebHosting
cPanel
Website
Landers
In house credit card machine

In other words I do everything in house, having control off all aspects of my business is important to me.

 

[MapleDots]

I'm finding most people don't collect enough data. I'm not afraid to ask anyone wanting my domains for more information.

Whenever I get an email like this...

Hey man... how much for domain one?

I respond.

==========================================================================

The proper way to address a purchase from MapleDots is to use our contact form at:

www.mapledots.ca/contact

Once you establish an opening bid we would be happy to start the negotiating process with you.

==========================================================================

So most forms (even the ones on Efty) do not collect enough information and my custom form does. It also provides me with SOME protection if someone like Facebook misrepresents themselves and grabs one of my domains. In the end my form is clear and it states the sale is for END USER only.

I have yet to find a hosted solution that collects as much info.

 

[Name Trader]

More self control and no commissions. But Efty is quite nice, with no big expenses, IMHO.

 

[briguy]

What about people searching for "Buy a domain name"? Surely they'll not see your personal marketplace before they see the big boys that you could be listed on?

True about competing with the "big boys" if you think short term but if you add regular content, post your site on to social media and if you have a budge, you can pay for ads etc BUT more important..don't give up!

~~~~~~~~

A lot of years ago..I started out with a free site, made some money (domains sales etc)..put part of that money towards that site..

No guarantees about being succe$$ful but you don't know till you really try.

 

[Name Trader]

Self hosted and self hosted

 

[Atta]

Another reason for me..is that I can post my own ads (affiliate links etc) on it

Re-arrange it in any way that i want. Top part of the page before you scroll gets more views!

It is an interesting perspective. What if hosted service provides you tools to post your ads (affiliate links) on portfolio/landing pages. Would you use it?

 

[Name Trader]

Yeah, that's a valid point. But self-hosting might not work best for non-techie domainers.

There are a few scripts which can do a quite adequate job. The names fly right out the top of my head right now. I think 1 was Domain Folio? For example. All you need is the hosting. But if you don't even have the "techie" skills for web hosting, then it's probably not an option for you. Then you are pretty much stuck with Hosted solutions. Which also might be too techie for you too. I'd thoroughly recommend Efty if that is not too techie for you.

 

[Atta]

There are a few scripts which can do a quite adequate job. The names fly right out the top of my head right now. I think 1 was Domain Folio? For example. All you need is the hosting. But if you don't even have the "techie" skills for web hosting, then it's probably not an option for you. Then you are pretty much stuck with Hosted solutions. Which also might be too techie for you too. I'd thoroughly recommend Efty if that is not too techie for you.

Agreed. But it is easy to buy a ready-made script and host it on your own server. The problem occurs when you need more features (3rd-party services integration) to stay on top of business. If you have basic technical knowledge, chances are you won't be able to add those features and ultimately, you need to either hire someone or buy another script. In both situations, self-hosted solution might cost more than hosted solution.

On the other hand, hosted solutions keep adding new features / integrations and you get them instantly without paying extra fees (in most cases).

 

[Atta]

This is one question I am very neutral on. If you don't have the skills or time to do a good job on self-hosted AND to keep it current, then for sure go the Efty or a marketplace such as Undeveloped that have good landers.

I think the main advantage, beyond those already listed, of self-hosting is that you can easily transform a parking/landing page into a several page mini-site that may attract traffic (and possibly revenue) that will eventually result in a lead to a sale.

Also, by self-hosting, you can do the arrangement in a way suited to your portfolio. Efty have lots and lots of lander choices, and an excellent set of categories, but it may not perfectly match your portfolio no matter how much you tweak it.

Also if you handle only a handful of extensions, the broad list on services like Undeveloped are not optimum for your potential clients.

If you self-host you can also put in links that suit your name. For example if you want to link to information for potential end users to articles that guide them through the steps in a domain transfer and answers FAQs.

I think both options can, and do, work excellently for domain investors. One advantage of a service like Efty is that I think it gives potential end users more of a sense of comfort than I site hosted by someone that they know nothing about.

Bob

Thank you Bob for your detailed answer. I completely agree with you.

 

[eurorealtor]

Another reason why I am more inclined toward hosted solution.

With millions of domains listed all over the marketplaces, the chances are pretty slim, unless you have really good names.

 

[wizard]

If you have several thousand we find using

This is one question I am very neutral on. If you don't have the skills or time to do a good job on self-hosted AND to keep it current, then for sure go the Efty or a marketplace such as Undeveloped that have good landers.

I think the main advantage, beyond those already listed, of self-hosting is that you can easily transform a parking/landing page into a several page mini-site that may attract traffic (and possibly revenue) that will eventually result in a lead to a sale.

Also, by self-hosting, you can do the arrangement in a way suited to your portfolio. Efty have lots and lots of lander choices, and an excellent set of categories, but it may not perfectly match your portfolio no matter how much you tweak it.

Also if you handle only a handful of extensions, the broad list on services like Undeveloped are not optimum for your potential clients.

If you self-host you can also put in links that suit your name. For example if you want to link to information for potential end users to articles that guide them through the steps in a domain transfer and answers FAQs.

I think both options can, and do, work excellently for domain investors. One advantage of a service like Efty is that I think it gives potential end users more of a sense of comfort than I site hosted by someone that they know nothing about.

Bob

Its all good with a few hundred domains self hosting but when you get to a large amount its easier to use a platform like undeveloped which puts more trust for the buyer.

self hosting is fine but we prefer using a decent platform and add the 9% to our price.

We have had many buyers put of with normal landing pages with mini sites etc they just never enquire anyway the results we are having are great its all what is best for you.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

While you raise the good point @kam that by going to a marketplace they may see something they like better, I guess feeling generous, if there is a better name for them, while sad to lose the sale, I am happy they found the best option for their needs.

I do make it as direct as possible to go to my listing in that rather than go to the general site and search, they have a direct link to the name on say Undeveloped or Namecheap Marketplace.

It may just be the value end of the market I deal with, but at least for end users I have made contact with they like the idea of being able to purchase at a marketeplace that they recognize as a major domain player (like GoDaddy or Namecheap) and where the process is easy to go from buying the domain name and actually getting it redirected and in use for a website. If I was selling in 4 or 5 figure domain names, then Escrow would clearly be the choice I would make.

Bob

 

[dncafe]

The problem with a lot of these listing pages or selling platforms, they don't offer your domain name much exposure. Sure, you might sell a domain name through them, but the buyer most likely did not find the domain name through that platform service. They found it by typing in your domain name.

So why pay a landing page a % of your money when they didn't help market your domain name?

For end user domain names, let's say NewYorkRoofing.com, a roofing company who might want to buy this name probably knows nothing about domain names. So if they type in the domain and land on a page at a service like Efty, they don't know anything about Efty, it's a service they have never heard of. So Efty is not offering you much credibility in terms of selling the domain, so why not put up your own sales page and keep 100% of the profit?

Who is the most well know domain registrar in the country, the company running Super Bowl ads and large marketing campaigns? GoDaddy. Where are many Americans going to go when they want to find a domain? GoDaddy.

Listing your domain for sale on GoDaddy Auction will give your domain more exposure to end buyers than any other listing service. First thing many people do when wanting to register a domain name is go to GoDaddy and type it in. If it's listed there, your domain will pop up with a option to buy it.

You can put your own landing page up on NewYorkRoofing.com with a Buy Now or Make Offer, as well as list it on GoDaddy Auctions. If a potential buyer doesn't feel comfortable paying you directly, you can link them to the GoDaddy Auction, a company they are comfortable with. If you don't want to put up a sales page you can do a free URL forward through the domain registrar to your GoDaddy Auction.

I don't like GoDaddy and do not use them as my main registrar, but without a doubt, they are the most popular and well known domain company, and that can be a big advantage when selling your domain.

 

[dncafe]

Too many issues with GD imo but also you need a membership for auctions at $5 a year - regular folks aren't paying $5 to use GD auctions.

I agree, there are a ton of issues with GD, which is why I don't use them, other than for Auctions. The value GD is providing is marketing and exposure.

A buyer does not need an auctions membership to buy an auctions domain with a BIN price.

If you have XXXX.com domain listed at GD Auctions and a person who has never been to GD before with no GD account types in XXXX.com on the homepage, searching for that domain, they will be given an option to buy the domain name. No Auctions account needed.

 

[wizard]

We like to mix it up but now prefer hosted as we hold several thousands which is being added to daily.

 

[Atta]

Yeah, that's a valid point. But self-hosting might not work best for non-techie domainers.

 

[briguy]

Yes..even shared revenue.

 

[FolioTeam]

Self hosting all the way

 

[Name Trader]

What's the address of your website?

 

[eurorealtor]

Self hosted as well. All traffic goes to my own website.

 

[Name Trader]

Who are you asking?

Mine is in my signature

The three in your signature were all so slow in connecting I simply couldn't wait. Which kinda doesn't give your WebHosting Business much to recommend it