What am I doing wrong? Point me in the right direction

[rvdsabu4life]

I lost my job 3 months ago. I worked for an internet company (go figure). Before I left some co-workers told me about domain buying and selling and howI can make some income while I am doing my job searching.

So I spent about a good week doing my research. Visiting all the sites I could and getting advice on techniques to use. Since September, I have not sold a single domain. Bought lots, sold none.

I need help on what I am doing wrong. Here is my process.

• 
  I buy my domains through Godaddy.
  My choices are based on MANY factors included dropping names and one word names.
  I get an estimate through estibot and check the traffic on alexa.
  If it looks good I buy the domain.
  I park them all at Parked.com while I try to flip them.
  I then post them on my Afternic account for sale
  I post them here and another site as for sale
  I usually post in "Make me an offer"
  Then, depending on the type of name I will e-mail businesses that I think could profit from the name I purchased.
  Then I sit and wait, constantly on the lookout for the next big dropping name

I have NEVER gotten ANY offers for my domains. The companies I e-mail either ignore it or decline the offer. No one responds to my post offerings. Afternic only gets 2-5 visits. Parked gets one (if I am lucky) click on all the domains. Furthermore, afternic says my portfolio is worth $3500.

I am just getting frustrated because I spend a lot of time doing as much research as I can and following the tips and suggestions I can but nothing works. In addition, I would like to break even for the money I spent on the domains as well as some services I had to buy (afternic membership, etc.). Is it because I don't develop the names? I spent a lot of time developing one name with a blog and forum. I did the best I could for SEO. Still I get no hits on the site.

Any pros out there that want to share any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[Rich]

Not sure how much of a pro I am since I started domaining in July, you seem to be already hitting the nail on the head. Sorry for the slow start, but the economy is slow as well...just keep e-mailing those potential end users! Could you post some of your better names to show us? or maybe try a Namepros appraisal.

Then I sit and wait, constantly on the lookout for the next big dropping name

Well this is not always the case because with the proper scanning you can still find gems, but always keep money tucked away for that name that you can't let get away.

I am just getting frustrated because I spend a lot of time doing as much research as I can and following the tips and suggestions I can but nothing works. In addition, I would like to break even for the money I spent on the domains as well as some services I had to buy (afternic membership, etc.). Is it because I don't develop the names? I spent a lot of time developing one name with a blog and forum. I did the best I could for SEO. Still I get no hits on the site.

Keep reading this forum, I'm still learning a lot every day. Like most other investments, you must have patience. Build it and they will come, good luck

 

[WillCast]

Well... I was looking at myselft when I read your post.

I've involved in buying domain names since 1999 for developing purpouses, but it was only in July/August '08 when I realized it could be an investing per se so I get in.

And I think I got in in the worst possible way one can do it: I spend a lot of money registering what I supposed were good names only to found later they are all a bunch of junk domains. I bought around 100 domains in a couple months.

My first domains were really a wasted money, I think I'm getting better names now but not sure yet.

You made something I didn't, which I think it's good... not sure if a bit early but certainly not bad. You bought a membership on Afternic.

What makes me suspicious in your comment is that you had developed a site, doing a work on its SEO and you said you don't get a hit? Not a hit... literally or figurative?

If you really don't get a hit, you should be doing something wrong or your domain got banned in the past (did you check'em before you paid for them?). Since September 27 I started a blog, doing the best of my abilities for its SEO and it is not getting tons of visitors yet but I'm pretty happy so far. I got an around 50-60 visitors daily, which I think is great for a 15 days effort in the spanish spoken market.

It would be great if you post some of your names... including the developed one.

 

[rvdsabu4life]

What makes me suspicious in your comment is that you had developed a site, doing a work on its SEO and you said you don't get a hit? Not a hit... literally or figurative?

I have had 2 unique visitors to the site.

You made something I didn't, which I think it's good... not sure if a bit early but certainly not bad. You bought a membership on Afternic.

I really don't see the advantage of afternic over sedo. Is there really and advantage to afternic?

 

[Froggy]

I am new to selling domains so no expert but I wondered -

Have you tried to sell your developed site on eBay? - Its about Rugby so you may well find a buyer from UK/Australia - As you don't have a lot of traffic I think you would need to find someone interested in the sport who would want to spend the time to promote and work on the site.

I have only sold a couple of names on Ebay but I buy names I know I can develop in some way as that way I can usually avoid losing money and at least break even to try again with better ones and you can list domains you place on eBay on this forum under Domains For Sale - External Auctions
Although I did not realise till this week

I have names listed on both Sedo and Afternic but I only recently got round to that so I can't say if either work - I have not had offers yet but I imagine it would take a great name or loads of luck to happen overnight.

When I am looking to buy "make an offer" puts me off as i would rather have an idea how much a seller thinks the name/site is worth - I do use make an offer as a seller though in case I value my own too cheaply

Good Luck

Lou

 

[mwzd]

One of the toughest things to do in this business is to define what is and what is not a good domain.

Estibot is a great tool, but it has its shortcomings - read a nice debate on it here - http://www.namepros.com/domain-newbies/521961-how-good-is-estibot.html

So I spent about a good week doing my research.

It took me 3 months to even start understanding what makes a domain name valuable. And I can speed read. While you might have a better grasp on things, it is really complex at times.

Bought lots, sold none.

Buying is always easier. Have you been investing in the aftermarket or the primary (reg) market?

Also, read this, it might help -
http://www.mwzd.com/2006/12/04/what-makes-a-domain-name-valuable/
http://www.mwzd.com/2008/05/30/inside-the-mind-of-a-domain-seller/
http://www.mwzd.com/2008/09/26/the-top-10-myths-about-domain-investment/

I need help on what I am doing wrong. Here is my process.

I'll check it through for you -

I buy my domains through Godaddy.

This is generally advisable if you're selling primarily to domainers.

My choices are based on MANY factors included dropping names and one word names.
I get an estimate through estibot and check the traffic on alexa. If it looks good I buy the domain.

Do you ever consider:
1. Who would use this domain?
2. And for what purpose?

I park them all at Parked.com while I try to flip them. I then post them on my Afternic account for sale.

Also list at Sedo.

I post them here and another site as for sale. I usually post in "Make me an offer"

Which is actually the toughest section to sell in unless you have in demand names.

Then, depending on the type of name I will e-mail businesses that I think could profit from the name I purchased.

Do you tell them 'how' they would profit? Do a lot of them have a lot of traffic?

Then I sit and wait, constantly on the lookout for the next big dropping name

Don't. First understand why before getting into the how.

I have NEVER gotten ANY offers for my domains. The companies I e-mail either ignore it or decline the offer. No one responds to my post offerings. Afternic only gets 2-5 visits. Parked gets one (if I am lucky) click on all the domains.

Again, a domain has to be desirable to the target audience to be desired.

Furthermore, afternic says my portfolio is worth $3500.

Did you pay for a valuation or did you offer to sell it to them?

I am just getting frustrated because I spend a lot of time doing as much research as I can and following the tips and suggestions I can but nothing works.

The only thing that 'works' in this business is you :D :D :D

In addition, I would like to break even for the money I spent on the domains as well as some services I had to buy (afternic membership, etc.).

Join the club, everyone would but not everyone does.

Is it because I don't develop the names? I spent a lot of time developing one name with a blog and forum. I did the best I could for SEO. Still I get no hits on the site.

Developing and domaining are actually two sides of the same coin, the more i research, the more apparent it gets.

If you're trying to sell productx then productx.com would be the best choice. Conversely, if you have productx.com it makes most sense to sell productx.

I'd recommend at least for three months - just read, don't buy anything, no matter how appealing it seems, if you need help, feel free to ask on NamePros, I got most of my learning here too

 

[WillCast]

I have had 2 unique visitors to the site.

It's nonsense. Something must be wrong here.

How long did you developed this site? 2 days? One month? two?

What did you do for its optimization?

For which keywords is your site optimized for?

Are you using google analytics? Did you added a site map to google webmasters tools?

Have you apply social marketing in any way? Social bookmarking?

How many original content have you added to it?

Are you sure your domain is not blacklisted? Check for previous owners. Perhaps the Archive.org's Wayback machine might help.

 

[daj]

What's some of your domain names?

I think you should of spent your money on one good domain, even if you had to buy it from sedo, or someone else. Spending a few thousand on one good domain is better than spending your money on recent deletes, and new names.

 

[rvdsabu4life]

Wow. First, mwzd Thanks for the detailed info. I will be doing some further reading tonight. Also I will take your tips into consideration.

WillCast, the site is: http://rugbyfacts.com/

I developed the site with wordpress and phpbb.
For optimization I used meta tags and e-mailed other rugby sites to post mine.
I do use google webmastertools as well.
No social marketing or bookmarking....that is a nice idea though
I will keep adding as miuch content as I can to it.
The domain is not blacklisted. I did also check it on archive.

sportomoney, I will list my domains below.

I don't have a thousand dollars to spend, all I was hoping for was supplementary income while I am layed off. In addition this is challenging in a way for me so I enjoy learning the ropes.

For those who haven't seen my nagging for sale posts, here the domains I consider good name value:

LEASER.ORG
UNFURNISHED.ORG
OVERATTACHED.COM
STIFLING.NET
VULNERABILITY.ME

 

[mwzd]

here the domains I consider good name value:

LEASER.ORG
UNFURNISHED.ORG
OVERATTACHED.COM
STIFLING.NET
VULNERABILITY.ME

1. Care to tell us why you think these are 'good name value'?

2. Do you know of any sales of the same / similar keywords in any other tld?

3. Can you identify what industry an end user for these would come for each of these?

 

[WillCast]

WillCast, the site is: http://rugbyfacts.com/

Well... I'm far from being a SEO expert but I'll tell you what I see:

- You should use slug instead of ?cat=5 as your category url. You can customize this in WP admin: Settings->Permalink. The best one is Custom structure: /%category%/%postname%/ IMHO

- You should create more categories in order to attack more niches/keywords.

- You must use original content. I found your content exactly in at least one site elsewhere. Your site is a new one so Google should have that content already indexed so it does not rank your site for it. There are people that think google even penalize for duplicate content... I don't think so. I think it just do not "award" duplicate content.

- You should work in link building.

- Use Google Analytics.

- Add its sitemap (http://rugbyfacts.com/sitemap.xml) to Google Webmaster tool.

- Everytime you create an ORIGINAL post, DIGG it, StumbleUpon it, Facebook it, Redd-it... etc

- Become involved in your niche. Post valuable comments in blogs and forums... giving a backlink to one of your posts (deep link it) or a site-wide link (one link to your home directory).

I think you must learn more tips on SEO.

 

[rvdsabu4life]

1. Care to tell us why you think these are 'good name value'?

2. Do you know of any sales of the same / similar keywords in any other tld?

3. Can you identify what industry an end user for these would come for each of these?

1. I based that on the results from estibot and alexa. As well as the backlinks
2. Yes that is also a factor in choosing the name.
3. Yes, I have e-mail countless people regarding unfurnished.org. Including owners of other sites as well as furniture startups.

Well... I'm far from being a SEO expert but I'll tell you what I see:

- You should use slug instead of ?cat=5 as your category url. You can customize this in WP admin: Settings->Permalink. The best one is Custom structure: /%category%/%postname%/ IMHO

- You should create more categories in order to attack more niches/keywords.

- You must use original content. I found your content exactly in at least one site elsewhere. Your site is a new one so Google should have that content already indexed so it does not rank your site for it. There are people that think google even penalize for duplicate content... I don't think so. I think it just do not "award" duplicate content.

- You should work in link building.

- Use Google Analytics.

- Add its sitemap (http://rugbyfacts.com/sitemap.xml) to Google Webmaster tool.

- Everytime you create an ORIGINAL post, DIGG it, StumbleUpon it, Facebook it, Redd-it... etc

- Become involved in your niche. Post valuable comments in blogs and forums... giving a backlink to one of your posts (deep link it) or a site-wide link (one link to your home directory).

I think you must learn more tips on SEO.

Thanks for the advice

 

[akcampbell]

There were 17,850 domains sold by Sedo in 2006, Sedo had a 39% market share, so in total there were roughly 46,000 domains sold. Let's be generous and say that's now up to 75,000.

There are 78m .coms registered, why do you think anything you register after 78m other picks could get into the top 75,000 names? Even if your domains were as good as the average .com registered, you'd still only have a 1 in 2,000 shot of selling each domain every year.

You are playing a game that was won by people who registered .coms 10-20 years ago and others who registered 100,000 OK .coms as ways of monetising traffic were popping up 5-6 years ago. Your registration fees for unsaleable .coms are keeping domain reg fees down for early entrants and volume players.

I would hate to own the 78 millionth worst .com domain registered. If you can't win a game or at least play it with a modicum of dignity, don't play, find another game, in this case find another domain extension to invest in.

I started regging .coms in 2006 and it took me a couple of days to work out there was no mileage in spending hour upon hour pouring over a .com WHOIS because everything worth registering was long gone. First I bought .infos, and more recently .pro domains.

The original .com registrants will tell you .com is king, avoid cheap immitations, people get confused by alternative extensions, you'll lose traffic. They will say anything they can think of to keep people renewing the 77.5m bad .coms so their 0.5m good ones are sought after and highly valued.

To get back in the game, you need to look beyond .com, to the new extensions ICANN is releasing in 2009 or lightly regged highly brandable unexplored extensions like .pro. Developed, they are just as good as .com, they are at no SEO disadvantage, and often you can get a better fit between keyword and extension than you can with .com.

 

[VisualArtistFrankBonilla]

I lost my job 3 months ago. I worked for an internet company (go figure). Before I left some co-workers told me about domain buying and selling and howI can make some income while I am doing my job searching.

So I spent about a good week doing my research. Visiting all the sites I could and getting advice on techniques to use. Since September, I have not sold a single domain. Bought lots, sold none.

I need help on what I am doing wrong. Here is my process.

• 
  I buy my domains through Godaddy.
  My choices are based on MANY factors included dropping names and one word names.
  I get an estimate through estibot and check the traffic on alexa.
  If it looks good I buy the domain.
  I park them all at Parked.com while I try to flip them.
  I then post them on my Afternic account for sale
  I post them here and another site as for sale
  I usually post in "Make me an offer"
  Then, depending on the type of name I will e-mail businesses that I think could profit from the name I purchased.
  Then I sit and wait, constantly on the lookout for the next big dropping name

I have NEVER gotten ANY offers for my domains. The companies I e-mail either ignore it or decline the offer. No one responds to my post offerings. Afternic only gets 2-5 visits. Parked gets one (if I am lucky) click on all the domains. Furthermore, afternic says my portfolio is worth $3500.

I am just getting frustrated because I spend a lot of time doing as much research as I can and following the tips and suggestions I can but nothing works. In addition, I would like to break even for the money I spent on the domains as well as some services I had to buy (afternic membership, etc.). Is it because I don't develop the names? I spent a lot of time developing one name with a blog and forum. I did the best I could for SEO. Still I get no hits on the site.

Any pros out there that want to share any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

As everyone else has said, this a tough business. The only thing I can add is try listing some domains at www.Sedo.com. My parking income at www.Sedo.com is next to nothing, but I don't care about that. I have sold more domains at Sedo, than any other place. Check www.DNJournal.com to see where the majority of domains at sold. While you are there, study DnJournal to learn more.
If you aren't making any money at www.Parked.com, why not switch, and try Sedo? Remember, Sedo gets exposure worldwide, this may help your sales.

Frank

 

[rvdsabu4life]

As everyone else has said, this a tough business. The only thing I can add is try listing some domains at www.Sedo.com. My parking income at www.Sedo.com is next to nothing, but I don't care about that. I have sold more domains at Sedo, than any other place. Check www.DNJournal.com to see where the majority of domains at sold. While you are there, study DnJournal to learn more.
If you aren't making any money at www.Parked.com, why not switch, and try Sedo? Remember, Sedo gets exposure worldwide, this may help your sales.

Frank

Thanks for the tips

 

[dotrig.com]

if you have domain name that get less than 10 type in users a day that is not a good name for domain business.
-- that is different for development.

 

[rvdsabu4life]

if you have domain name that get less than 10 type in users a day that is not a good name for domain business. -- that is different for development.

I am quickly learning that

 

[phantom4444]

There is no quick route to success in domaining, it took me almost a year to get my first 'serious' offer. I was having a conversation with my wife about how slowly things were moving and how I might just move onto something else when BOOM. I checked my email and had two offers that very morning!
Hold tight, be patient, be prudent and keep studying. The sales will come eventually (that pay for the mistakes we all make when 1st starting).

Best of luck!

ak

 

[johname]

Keep trying but it sounds like your trying to sell names that were available to anybody in the world to regester 3 months ago. That can be a real tough sell.

 

[rvdsabu4life]

There is no quick route to success in domaining, it took me almost a year to get my first 'serious' offer. I was having a conversation with my wife about how slowly things were moving and how I might just move onto something else when BOOM. I checked my email and had two offers that very morning! Hold tight, be patient, be prudent and keep studying. The sales will come eventually (that pay for the mistakes we all make when 1st starting).

Thanks!