Swapnames - The Domain Name Swapping Marketplace.

[holdem8]

"Is It Time For A FREE "SEDO-like" Domain Swapping Maketplace For All Domainers?"​

Hello to all NPers!

My name is Al, a "domainer next door" just like many of us here. I have been trying my luck at the domain business for more than a year now, where I learnt most of my stuffs mainly here at Namepros and a few other forums.

A few months back, I came across an idea to trade up domain names at OneUglyDomain which was inspired by the brilliant "One Red Paper Clip" project.

The very moment I discovered this idea, I knew that this business is really in need of a "platform" for people to swap their existing domains. Most domainers have some domains which are "not good enough" to sell or auction off and is just left gathering digital dust. If these domains are put on a marketplace to swap, it is another alternative for everyone.

The closest option I had to swap my domains was at OneUglyDomain where I offered 30-40 names to the owner. Disapointingly, they were all turned down and I was left on the sideline, not able to play the "domain trade-up" game as much as I wanted to. After that, I had to rely on the forums to succesfully swap some of my domains.

Now, I imagined a safe and free marketplace where EVERYONE can have their very own "OneUglyDomain" listing... in fact everyone can have their WHOLE portfolio of "OneUglyDomain" listings. My goal is also to build a very niche domain swapping community for all.

I have put my toughts into action and have started the development of SwapNames.com a few months back.

The purpose of this thread is to gather constructive feedback and ideas for my humble project and hopefully it will succeed with all your support.

I hope to "Beta" launch SwapNames in Mid April 2007, so post away with all your suggestions and comments so that we can have our very own "user-suggested" Domain Swapping Marketplace soon!

Ciao,

Al

 

[mktgmark]

Al,
I wish you much luck and will keep an eye on your progress. I think this could work as there are many reasons to swap names rather than just letting a name wither and die by not being renewed.
Good luck,
Mark

 

[VURG]

I'm interested.

So many of these style projects seem to fall flat on the floor when people realise how much work is involved or they overpromise.

Nice name!

Good Luck!

 

[veryboredme]

I think it's a great idea, I've swaped few domains so far and having a site for that will be just perfect for me!
Will definitely keep an eye on your site :D

 

[verbster]

It will be a lot of work at first, but I think you know that. I'm going to assume that along with being able to swap names, there is a way to buy names or contact owners to buy them. You'll need this feature to attract traffic.

With time I would guess your popularity will rise, and money-making opportunities will arise.

I'll certainly make use of your site. If you need QA, let me know...good luck!

 

[godolphin]

Good idea. The name is good too. Since people are used to hear snapnames a lot they will easily catch up with swapnames.com :lala:

I wish you goodluck in launching and maintaining the website.

 

[Domainate.com]

Good luck...a place to trade domains was originally what I was going to put on NameTrader.com, though it would be in addition to buying and selling names. Honestly, I think that's the BEST way to do it, but whichever way it works out for you, hope it works out!

 

[holdem8]

Al,
I wish you much luck and will keep an eye on your progress. I think this could work as there are many reasons to swap names rather than just letting a name wither and die by not being renewed.
Good luck,
Mark

You have hit it right! Thats the problem with lots of my domains.. not able to sell or auction off and just left it till renewal time comes. So when I got the idea of trade-ups/swapping, I got very excited. I guess many other domainers face the same problem and I hope SwapNames is a good alternative solution.

I'm interested.

So many of these style projects seem to fall flat on the floor when people realise how much work is involved or they overpromise.

Nice name!

Good Luck!

I fully agree with you! That is why the coding, designs, etc were outsourced. I have worked relentlessly with some brilliant Indian programmers and they are releasing the beta version in a week or so. Phew! I can foresee this project to be my full-time job.. hopefully it will turn out good.

The domain SwapNames.com... bought it in the forums!

I think it's a great idea, I've swaped few domains so far and having a site for that will be just perfect for me!
Will definitely keep an eye on your site :D

I remember you You have the longest swap thread at the other forum! I did manage to swap a few domains here and there so I know many people should be able to appreciate a swapping marketplace like you do.

It will be a lot of work at first, but I think you know that. I'm going to assume that along with being able to swap names, there is a way to buy names or contact owners to buy them. You'll need this feature to attract traffic.

With time I would guess your popularity will rise, and money-making opportunities will arise.

I'll certainly make use of your site. If you need QA, let me know...good luck!

Thats rite! It happens to be one of the main feature at SwapNames. You see, once I posted a domain to swap at a forum and someone posted an offer. I wanted to swap with the incoming offer badly but it was snagged by a buyer before I even manage to swap it. Now.. this is cool for the offerer because he was not able to sell the domain earlier.. that was why it was offered for swap. This creates FREE exposure when you offer your domains in the marketplace. Just like in OUD.. a few domains offered were sold because of the free exposure.

This has got to be a feature at Swapnames!

I will definitely need some kind offers for beta testers in a week or two.. thanks!

Good idea. The name is good too. Since people are used to hear snapnames a lot they will easily catch up with swapnames.com :lala:

I wish you goodluck in launching and maintaining the website.

Thanks! Thought I might have TM problem with Snapnames but my attorney assured me that I wont.. hopefully. I have registered a trademark on SwapNames since.

Good luck...a place to trade domains was originally what I was going to put on NameTrader.com, though it would be in addition to buying and selling names. Honestly, I think that's the BEST way to do it, but whichever way it works out for you, hope it works out!

Thanks.. in fact, I enquired about your domain NameTrader.com, many months back but I did not have the budget for it. Hope to see you around!

 

[bbalegere]

Is it only swapping domains? Or well sell the domains?

 

[holdem8]

Is it only swapping domains? Or well sell the domains?

It is mainly for domain swapping but every single domain listing has an option to have a "Buy It Now" price. There is also a place to contact the domain owner to directly negotiate.

A buyer can instantly buy the domain at the "Buy It Now" price so this feature doubles as a domain sale listing too.

To give a little more "protection" for users of SwapNames, we have a "Reputation Rating' system like in ebay, Namepros, etc where everyone can leave feedback for members. Hope this helps!

Al

 

[tristanperry]

It is mainly for domain swapping but every single domain listing has an option to have a "Buy It Now" price. There is also a place to contact the domain owner to directly negotiate.

A buyer can instantly buy the domain at the "Buy It Now" price so this feature doubles as a domain sale listing too.

To give a little more "protection" for users of SwapNames, we have a "Reputation Rating' system like in ebay, Namepros, etc where everyone can leave feedback for members. Hope this helps!

Al

That's pretty much everything I'd look for with such a site, nice ideas

I'm not sure if you'd want such a feature, but would you think about either:

a) Letting more than one domain be traded (for one domain)
b) Trading a domain and cash (for one domain)?

 

[holdem8]

SwapNames' features..

a) Letting more than one domain be traded (for one domain)
b) Trading a domain and cash (for one domain)?

Hi Tristan!

a) In fact in the domain description area, the domain owner can practically state whatever he/she wants to swap with. That means, he can state an entire package to swap. When a potential swapper visits the domain listing, it will show all the descriptions by the owner, so visitors to the listing will know practically what the owner wants or what is on offer.

Likewise, the potential swapper can also contact the owner to offer packaged offers, etc.

For now, these features are already there but I would want to build in something that shows a history of all correspondence, just so that there is a trail/history of the transaction, in case of any disputes later.

b) mmm... this is an interesting idea. Never tought of that but will definitely look into it. If its feasible, it will definitely in the next feature upgrade!

thanks mate!

Al

 

[cache]

good idea.

 

[holdem8]

SwapNames' features..

Hi NPers....

At SwapNames, all individual domain name listing will show swap offers received from interested members and all outgoing offers from the domain owner( for the particular listed domain.)

Any portfolio owners can search for domains in the marketplace and make swap offers. The more offers made OR received, the more exposure the domain owner has because the owner's names will also show on other member's listings.

We have decided to cap the outgoing offers of one particular domain to only 10 offers. Any toughts on this? Should it be only 5 offers or more than 10 would be better?

Domains can receive any amount of offers from any member, but members can only make 10 offers out (max) tentatively. This is to prevent abuse.

We got this "exposure" idea when we know that a few names were sold when it was offered for trade in OUD.

Any feedback would be really helpful because we would want SwapNames' to be very much "user-suggested".


Thanks!

Al

 

[Archangel]

I'm very interested in this. I'll be sure to check back soon

 

[holdem8]

Beta testers needed very soon!

Hi all....

I am taking the beta release of SwapNames from the software developers in a few days time and would need help for the Beta testing phase. Any interested parties pls PM me to register.

Thanks in advance!

Al.

 

[BuzzGuyz]

Nice

Having a centralized environment to talk with others willing to trade off names is a cool idea. Keep at it and you will swap up alot of traffic. I am looking forward to seeing your success happen!

Good Luck! Pass it On!

 

[holdem8]

Beta test..

I'm very interested in this. I'll be sure to check back soon

Thanks Randy!... Would definitely need some of your most well-informed critiques during beta testing.. if you want to be included in that phase. :hehe:

Having a centralized environment to talk with others willing to trade off names is a cool idea. Keep at it and you will swap up alot of traffic. I am looking forward to seeing your success happen!

Good Luck! Pass it On!

Hi Buzzguyz.. yes definitely! Its more of a swapping marketplace but when it takes of, will definitely put up a social networking feature too!

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Anyway... I have gotten to see the Beta release from the developers but there are some business logics, bugs and design issues that need sorting out. I guess for this week and probably next, I will be doing the testing first before I open up the actual Beta testing phase.

Did not really know that dedicated hosting for ASP.net is so expensive. Ouch! :o Hope that I can call upon all the beta test volunteers very soon!

Any more ideas/suggestions that will make SwapNames more usable?

Al.

 

[holdem8]

Userbility issues..

Hi all..

Just an update on the latest development of SwapNames...

We are making a major redesign on the aesthetics of SwapNames to give it more of a "cooler" web 2.0 look and feel. At the same time, we have just completed a few initial userbility testings, internally, and thank god we did that!

Found out that some initial navigations within the site that was not really user-friendly so it is basically back to some more coding efforts

I am sure once we get thru some rounds of userbility testings, users will definitely feel very much at home in SwapNames when it is launched.

The beta testing "by invitation only" phase is again pushed back for a week or two but I bet it is well worth it.

Meanwhile, received some suggestions by PM, pls send in more! Thanks everyone and happy domaining!

Al.

 

[holdem8]

Hi all....

Beta testing phase is just around the corner! SwapNames should be deployed on our dedicated servers by next week and those who are interested to volunteer as beta testers are most welcomed!

With the OUD domain trading idea heating up fast, we cannot wait to launch the domain name trading platform for all domainers! Do keep your eyes peeled to this thread for the latest on SwapNames...coming very soon to all!

Cheers to everyone and hope to see you soon!

Al.