Success in this industry with $$ starting capital

[domaino]

The purpose of this topic is to establish what it takes to become a successful domainer. Now I am under no illusions, I am not a successful domainer. Over the course of the last few years I have dipped in, out and back into the market, more often than not through financial necessity, sometimes emerging successful, other times emerging with a few burnt fingers. But really, I have never felt "involved" in the whole process, I have never seen this industry as one I could get a foot into, make a living from or become truly successful in. Much of this comes down to not having the capital to invest but I also feel that much of this comes down to feeling like something of an outsider, feeling as though the best deals are not within my grasp or are secured only by those "in the know."

I'm not sure whether this is the case, I'm even less sure as to how I become one of those "in the know." I'm not convinced I "know" domain names (nor, really, should I expect to). So my question to any seasoned domainers out there: is it still possible to gain a strong footing in this industry and make a comfortable living starting with only a small amount of starting capital? Really, I think I already know the answer, I mean it's what Namepros is all about, positive reinforcement, but let's test the water anyway.

 

[cache]

when you feel your are an outsider, that may mean you really did not try hard. Did you lose $100? or $1000? Even if you lost $1000, still it is not that big amount compared with much higher lost if you start a non-internet venture.

So unless you try many different things you will never get in the footing.

 

[tech4]

Mistakes made by most newbie domainers the first time is registering many domain names that are diverse in terms of industry like travel, computer, online and games.

These names are registered without thinking about the length and frequency usage of them. Not only this, newbie tend to have at least 2 years of renewal. The cost add up and they hope to make a profit within a year or two.

The fact is, lll.com was still available to register in 2003 and were dropped often before that. llll.com is a recent thing in 2008. Owners like bed.com, blue.com, and original sex.com did not see profit in 1993 or 1995 right away and certainly did not realize their value. Most of the sales and boom we heard of are from after the bubble burst of the internet.

Look at Sedo.com it was created in 1998 and the business probably didn't come about until after 2000, same thing with dnjournal, DNF, and this site namepros...2003 look like somehow things got started then...suddenly everything exploded after 10 years of the dot com. Dot com 1993, sales and businesses for domainer exploded in 2003. Before that lll.com were as much as reg. fees on most.



Look at

So...for success..you're likely to have to wait until development sets in or a period longer than the usual 1-2 years that most domainers dream about.

 

[soggyindo]

I have never felt "involved" in the whole process, I have never seen this industry as one I could get a foot into, make a living from or become truly successful in.

Maybe you could feel more involved by following good advice less, and developing your names a bit more? If you pick a topic that you're passionate about, and develop your names with a bit of zing, you can't avoid getting lots out of it.

The nice thing about developing a few names is (as an earlier poster alluded to) you're in an industry where you're the boss and you can start your business for under $100

 

[accent]

Domains are a field where the most valuable currency is knowledge.

If you have time to read the forums and to discover possibilities that are in the path of future growth you can do far better than the investor with a lot of cash but no time.

 

[DN BROKER]

Domaining is controled by individuals who violeted TM laws and registered thousands of TM domains early in the .com rush. They made a killing in profits... the next phaze was the dictionary domain holders who have made a good chunk of profit and still do today.

Unless you get lucky like iphone.com holder who settled for 7 figures. It is very hard too make money! LLL, LLLL and 2 word premium domains are the next phaze for domainers to make money from in 5-10 years from today.

Unless you startup a website, which you will need a 10K start up fund... it is very hard.... to compete in todays world wide web. Unless you get lucky!!!!

PPC is DEAD, ppc is the worst available service for domain holders.... End Users will find a reason to steal your domain if its parked. DO NOT PARK YOUR DOMAIN, if you do... be ready to loose your domain!

 

[bigdipper]

Domaining is controled by individuals who violeted TM laws and registered thousands of TM domains early in the .com rush. They made a killing in profits... the next phaze was the dictionary domain holders who have made a good chunk of profit and still do today.

Unless you get lucky like iphone.com holder who settled for 7 figures. It is very hard too make money! LLL, LLLL and 2 word premium domains are the next phaze for domainers to make money from in 5-10 years from today.

Unless you startup a website, which you will need a 10K start up fund... it is very hard.... to compete in todays world wide web. Unless you get lucky!!!!

PPC is DEAD, ppc is the worst available service for domain holders.... End Users will find a reason to steal your domain if its parked. DO NOT PARK YOUR DOMAIN, if you do... be ready to loose your domain!

For the life of me... I have no idea what you are trying to say here.

?

 

[DN BROKER]

For the life of me... I have no idea what you are trying to say here.

?

Simple, domaining is not profitable... unless you get lucky or have a big wallet to purchase and build a nice portfolio!

 

[bigdipper]

Simple, domaining is not profitable... unless you get lucky or have a big wallet to purchase and build a nice portfolio!

aha...

I've heard it said once that you create your own luck through opportunity and follow through...

I'm sure many others here might agree?

 

[tech4]

I agree, domaining for the most part is not profitable. Unless its a "hold strategy for 5-10 years" as described. You see the "property.com" sold for millions, well it probably changes hand more than 100 times before it gets there and the original owner probably saw nowhere near 1% of its value today.

Profit strategy that works in the early stages of domaining:
-Park, ppc and google adsense: Now that the market is developed, google and other advertisers are trying to get rid of "minisites" which are full and loaded of "keyrich $$$" which is nothing more than parked pages.

-In the early days, generics are possible and lll.com were available. Now its gone, you have to have money to buy them.

Today's strategy:

-Invest in new technology or niche market, which also requires $$$ if they are premium names.

-Developed site:...cost factors $$$$

-A real business (limited liabilities) taxes, filing fees, expertises. etc.,

-Wait and hold strategy still works, but you must keep up with the fees charges by registrar.

The market has gotten too complicated and expensive because it has matured. Because of the market getting bigger, prices goes up, demand goes up, not enough supply of quality domain names.

It does take money and a lot of skills to succeed, possible rewards are probably not in a year or 2 years term but may be longer. Typical businesses and investments fail for the majority and takes a minimum of 3-10 years to make a profit.

the cost of transactions are huge, sedo 10%, afernic 10-20% commision, moniker 15% etc., the more transactions on does, it leaves a dent in the profit.

 

[DN BROKER]

Rookies who continue to read news articles about the success of .com, they also assume it could be done withe extensions like, .me, .info, .biz, etc.. .the list goes on....

domaining is no longer based on regs, its more about how much you have and how much you can buy in the aftermarket....

unless like some of you, who use your daddys or mommys visa or savings account to purchase domains above 10K, you have better chances in profiting then the majority of domainers who are dreaming of hitting it big one day with their reg fee domain!

 

[Ross]

I started with like $30 on my credit card and have since then gradually bring in more and more every month.

Im sure if i had $20k to invest in the game right now i could make quite good living. As the old saying goes, "It take money to make money!" Still holds true even in domaining. Though as time goes on i have made little by little and re-invest it and i am starting to actually make a good profit on what i buy, sell, and develop.

 

[DN BROKER]

I started with like $30 on my credit card and have since then gradually bring in more and more every month.

Im sure if i had $20k to invest in the game right now i could make quite good living. As the old saying goes, "It take money to make money!" Still holds true even in domaining. Though as time goes on i have made little by little and re-invest it and i am starting to actually make a good profit on what i buy, sell, and develop.

Perfect example of a Smart Investor, he took a chance with $30, just like me $16 and turned it into a small profit and that profit was put back into the game.

8 months ago i invested for the first time 4.5K into one domain. The last offer I had was near 10K. Just like Tivo, Domainers like us, know were to put the money and turn it into a profit.. unfortunately, i will speak on my behalf.. the 4.5K i invested was a big chunk of money out of my families pocket. Even though we could not afford it... it turned out to be the best choice... cause i was 100% sure, it would be a profit from the moment i buy it. I have received 30+ offers.. ranging from $100 dollars to near the 10K dot!

There are few Domainers like us who are full of knowledge, but no wallets. I have tried numerous times in the last 6 years to convince people, friends, family to lend me 100K or 10K... no one even dared.... i would be a millionaire today and so would the investor.... its not to late... sooner or later... I will hit it big like TIVO.... and others like us... and thats when we will make a change! in the domain industry.

Name me one person the Domain Industry who has MADE MILLIONS of dollars and has put some of that back into the Domain Industry to benefit Domainers.

SO FAR NONE - anything that has been published or developed has been to make someone elese RICH. Forums like NP has helped us raise awarness for one another and to promote Domaining to the World.. other then this... there is nothing available... The so called Domain Loans, charge massive interest and have so many rules.... we are alone in this industry my honest and good Domainers!

Together we can make a change. As a Domainer you can MARK MY WORDS... I will make a change, when time and Luck turns my way! Until then, Dont Park your Domains... unless they are JUNK!

%%- %%- %%-

 

[Ross]

Perfect example of a Smart Investor, he took a chance with $30, just like me $16 and turned it into a small profit and that profit was put back into the game.

8 months ago i invested for the first time 4.5K into one domain. The last offer I had was near 10K. Just like Tivo, Domainers like us, know were to put the money and turn it into a profit.. unfortunately, i will speak on my behalf.. the 4.5K i invested was a big chunk of money out of my families pocket. Even though we could not afford it... it turned out to be the best choice... cause i was 100% sure, it would be a profit from the moment i buy it. I have received 30+ offers.. ranging from $100 dollars to near the 10K dot!

There are few Domainers like us who are full of knowledge, but no wallets. I have tried numerous times in the last 6 years to convince people, friends, family to lend me 100K or 10K... no one even dared.... i would be a millionaire today and so would the investor.... its not to late... sooner or later... I will hit it big like TIVO.... and others like us... and thats when we will make a change! in the domain industry.

Name me one person the Domain Industry who has MADE MILLIONS of dollars and has put some of that back into the Domain Industry to benefit Domainers.

SO FAR NONE - anything that has been published or developed has been to make someone elese RICH. Forums like NP has helped us raise awarness for one another and to promote Domaining to the World.. other then this... there is nothing available... The so called Domain Loans, charge massive interest and have so many rules.... we are alone in this industry my honest and good Domainers!

Together we can make a change. As a Domainer you can MARK MY WORDS... I will make a change, when time and Luck turns my way! Until then, Dont Park your Domains... unless they are JUNK!

%%- %%- %%-

I would have to agree, good post.

To be 100% honest the only reason i am successful at all in the industry is because of the dedicated members here at namepros.com that offer great advice to the general public.

If you find yourself under the dollar and keep losing, read some more and don't hesitate to ask some of the more seasoned members here at namepros.com. Shoot me a pm if you need help with something or just some advice on a name or domaining in general. I have helped countless people on this forum and i will continue to help.

Just remember $6 profit is still profit. That $6 could make you RICH!

 

[ja1]

Mir,could you pls explain in greater detail why "Dont Park your Domains... unless they are JUNK!" -you seem to be very clear cut. Could you explain some more, tks.

 

[conda]

There are few Domainers like us who are full of knowledge, but no wallets. I have tried numerous times in the last 6 years to convince people, friends, family to lend me 100K or 10K... no one even dared.... i would be a millionaire today and so would the investor.... its not to late... sooner or later... I will hit it big like TIVO.... and others like us... and thats when we will make a change! in the domain industry.

Yeah, this is works for me too. I invest only $8 for 1 domain name and sell it for get a profit. I repeat this strategy over 2 year, this is not quick business but if you patient this is a great business model.

I'am only kid who have a dream, and now this dream realize with domaining. I only have money in my pocket $60 / month for eat and internet connection before it.

If this business not change my financial i'am quit, but you know i'am still here now. :hehe:

 

[ecalc]

Domains are a field where the most valuable currency is knowledge.

If you have time to read the forums and to discover possibilities that are in the path of future growth you can do far better than the investor with a lot of cash but no time.

wise words

Name me one person the Domain Industry who has MADE MILLIONS of dollars and has put some of that back into the Domain Industry to benefit Domainers.

SO FAR NONE

disagree - see Internet Commerce Association Donors. Founded in 2006, the ICA is a non-profit trade organization representing domain name investors and developers and the direct search industry.

 

[DN BROKER]

wise words

disagree - see Internet Commerce Association Donors. Founded in 2006, the ICA is a non-profit trade organization representing domain name investors and developers and the direct search industry.

you gotta a be joking

 

[-REECE-]

:lol:

Have to agree with you on that one

you gotta a be joking

 

[DN BROKER]

Mir,could you pls explain in greater detail why "Dont Park your Domains... unless they are JUNK!" -you seem to be very clear cut. Could you explain some more, tks.

I'll make this simple for you. PPC is now considered in many lawyers books as bad faith... you are risking your ownership of a domain when you park it... i disagree with this 150%, but i dont have the power or money to hire a lawyer to protect my assets... so the simple step to take is not to PARK... and forward all your domains to one website! and develop one by one.. or what ever you have in mind!