The problem with GoDaddy Resellers (Wild West)

[NameClerk]

I purchased a Godaddy reseller package through Wild West Domains earlier this year (FoxRocket.com). The primary thing that sold me was the ability to reg domains at $7.20

I wasn't interested in earning commissions by becoming a reseller, I just wanted to be able to buy domains as cheap as possible in order to make more money when I sold them to others.

I've run into two problems that have me second guessing that decision:

1. Transferring domains to others is a pain in the %#$. There's no simple push process like they have at Enom. The contact information needs to be filled out and then emails are sent and then the buyer needs to create a free account at FoxRocket.com and then they need to input codes that were provided in the email. YUCK!

Worse yet, even if the buyer has a GoDaddy account they still need to create an account at FoxRocket to accept the domains. That's inconvenient for them. Blah!

2. Because of the reasons listed above, I'm convinced that buyers loose some interest when they see that a domain is reg'd at a WWD reseller account. I think I would be getting higher sales if the domain were at Godaddy, Enom or some other mainstream registrar.

Am I being paranoid or is there a certain amount of discrimination against domains housed at smaller registrars?


Lately, I've been purchasing new domains through an $8.95 Enom account. I'm considering purchasing a $6.95 Enom account (without the big investment)

Is there some disadvantage to the $6.95 Enom accounts that I'm not aware off. I currently don't see any.

Any advise from folks familiar with both these system would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[capiche]

You can get $7.20 domains just by typing "buy1" in the promo code box at Godaddy. Saves you from having to get a WildWest Domains package.
P.S. That promo code doesn't expire.

 

[NameClerk]

Thanks. I'm not sure if the promo codes work when you're buying multiple domains. I usually buy 5 - 20 at a time. Correct me if I'm wrong but won't it deduct the promo just one time?

 

[ApeXX]

I think that it will just take off 1.50 or whatever on your total purchase, not for each domain. I could be wrong however, someone needs to verify that.

 

[capiche]

I have been buying 2 at a time lately and it deducts for each domain. So I end up paying $14.40.
Also for .US names and stuff that is already discounted this won't work.
But.... If you type "DAVID" in the promo code box you can save an extra $1.00, even though the domain is already discounted.
Not sure if the "DAVID" thing expires or not.

 

[ApeXX]

I have heard of the DAVID coupon, although I have never used it. Nice find Capiche

 

[capiche]

Thx. Hope it helps. :wave:

 

[NameClerk]

Interesting. I could always just start buying through GoDaddy using the promos but it still doesn't solve the clunky transfer method they use.

I think I've made up my mind to get the Enom account so I'm curious if there's anyone out there that can give me a reason why I shouldn't?

Is there some great feature that I currently have as a WWD reseller that I'm taking for granted and that Enom doesn't offer?

 

[nRnF]

I personally like the WWD reseller more, as there are plenty of other things to resell.
But if you just got the WWD account for your own regs this doesn't matter.
(PS: You can get the same rates trough a individual discount account --> see here and save the yearly WWD fee)

Basically for today I don't see much difference between both untill TDNAM may get integrated into WWD resellers.
(at least they told me that this is the plan - but when nobody knows).

IMO the Enom disadvantage is the upfront account filling, what is not given with WWD customer account (CC or PayPal)

But really, there are pros and cons for both, and it may depend, on what you really want to do with the account(s)

PS:
If anyone is interested in starting reselling through a WWD account I may can arrange a sponsored WWD account for $69 in 1st year - PM

 

[NameClerk]

I personally like the WWD reseller more, as there are plenty of other things to resell.

Great point! There are a million different things to sell. I've never marketed my site because I figured folks would just assume buy the stuff at GoDaddy. I will miss the $12 backorders. I've had great success with those.

(PS: You can get the same rates trough a individual discount account --> see here and save the yearly WWD fee)

That's one way to still get my $12 backorders!

Basically for today I don't see much difference between both untill TDNAM gets integrated into WWD resellers.

How are they planning on implementing it. Would it be an additional revenue stream for WWD resellers?

 

[nRnF]

That's one way to still get my $12 backorders!

YES, and all products at wholsale rates without being a reseller.

How are they planning on implementing it. Would it be an additional revenue stream for WWD resellers?

They told me they plan it after the current test phase.
If they do so it would be an additional service for WWD resellers.

 

[EbookLover]

1. Transferring domains to others is a pain in the %#$. There's no simple push process like they have at Enom. The contact information needs to be filled out and then emails are sent and then the buyer needs to create a free account at FoxRocket.com and then they need to input codes that were provided in the email. YUCK!

Worse yet, even if the buyer has a GoDaddy account they still need to create an account at FoxRocket to accept the domains. That's inconvenient for them. Blah!

Well, that is the same way you do it at GD. Personally, I have no problems with it. It is a safe way to do it.

2. Because of the reasons listed above, I'm convinced that buyers loose some interest when they see that a domain is reg'd at a WWD reseller account. I think I would be getting higher sales if the domain were at Godaddy, Enom or some other mainstream registrar.

Am I being paranoid or is there a certain amount of discrimination against domains housed at smaller registrars?

Well, what it comes down to is who you market to. You will find it hard, if not imposible, to get customers like folks here at NP and other webmaster/domain savvy folks. They know that you are a GD/WW reseller and they'd rather not buy from you for various reasons.

What I hate about WWD is that you call your site one thing but the card is charged under a different name (WWD). It looks wrong to the customer and can trigger credit card diputes which the buyer will win. Also, the DNS will be WWD and not your site's DNS. But there are ways around it if you think about it. And no, I do not mean going with the API account.

I will be trying out WWD as a reseller at some point. From what I have seen, it is nearly turnkey. The key, however, will be to effectively target the right markets. I also believe that offline selling will be key to making good sales. The domain and web hosting businesses are cut-throught these days. You cannot compete along side the big companies like GD and others. You have to find a profitable niche and most likely go offline to get customers (locally).

Oh, and about enom. Well, the fact that you have to deposit your money upfront (in the thousands) is a bummer. Also, as far as I know, they do not ofer private label support like WWD does. As was said, both have their advantages/disadvantages.

 

[NameClerk]

Well, that is the same way you do it at GD. Personally, I have no problems with it. It is a safe way to do it.

True but a lot of people already have GD accounts so they won't have to go through the trouble of creating a new account just to accept a couple of names.

* The email notices give me fits. Sometime I have to initiate a tranfer 3 times before the customer actually gets them (maybe due to spam filters). I started sending them to myself and then forwarding them to the customers to save the hassle.

 

[ApeXX]

I personally just use enom, I hate WWD. Such a hassle for the customer, which is not the way it should be.

 

[EbookLover]

True but a lot of people already have GD accounts so they won't have to go through the trouble of creating a new account just to accept a couple of names.

I don't know about that. It isn't like it takes a long time to create an account. I can see domain traders not liking to do it since you are a WW reseller, but then, as I said, that is the wrong target market anyway.

I just created an acocunt at namecheap the other day just to be able to get a domain pushed to me. No problem there for me. I do use a form filler, but still, it isn't like you have to fill out pages and pages of info. It's just a few lines of basic info.

I personally just use enom, I hate WWD. Such a hassle for the customer, which is not the way it should be.

It's really not that bad. Really.

Does enom give you a turnkey sotrefront and provide support to your customers?

 

[nRnF]

well said zquest

The target market is the key for resellers.
But still really hard competition as all you know

About the free push within a reseller account Think Positive:
If you are a reseller and someone or yourself push a domain to a new account likely some will renew or buy more stuff, especially if you sell your domain to a "end user".

 

[NameClerk]

Signing up might not take that long but customers are bombarded with additional offers by WWD and GoDaddy every time they accept a domain transfer.


Enom doesn't give you a turnkey storefront but that's not important to me. I just want to be able to buy cheap and transfer domains with minimal hassle to me and my customers.

If a customer doesn't have an Enom account then I'll create an $8.95 subaccount under mine. I think customers will be much more likely to come back and make purchases at Enom than they would at FoxRocket.

I'm not bashing WWD. If you want to run a turnkey registrar, I don't think you can beat it. For what I'm trying to do, it's not very efficient.

 

[nRnF]

Ya, the "Other Products offers" from WWD is a darn damm anoying nevative point within WWD.
Although you can disable this as a user, but it takes some time to find this out

It's hard to tell which is better WWD or Enom.

It would be good to hear someone that has both a WWD & Enom account.
(The poll is great)

I stick right from the beginning with WWD incl. being Super Reseller
selling WWD reseller acc. at $89.
... so I miss a litte bit the Enom reseller experience

 

[jamminsport16]

If you type "DAVID" in the promo code box you can save an extra $1.00, even though the domain is already discounted.
Not sure if the "DAVID" thing expires or not.

I tried buying a .net from GoDaddy & using the loophole. I put in then 'usa6' for the promo code so it was $5.19. I tried to enter 'DAVID' but it didnt do anything. YOu said "you can save an extra $1.00, even though the domain is already discounted."

?

 

[ApeXX]

When regging a .info, there is already a discount. He meant instead of using USA6 because you can't with the already discounted .info, you can use david which gives you another $1.00 off.

$5.19 is the lowest I have been able to get anyway.