What can the domain community do to become more credible?

[Internet.Domains]

How can the domain community become more credible with end users?
What can the domain community do to make domain investing more mainstream instead of so "underground?"
How can the domain community legitimize our business with end users? etc.etc........

 

[fatter]

I am not sure it can be done, We by nature have opposing motives, ours is to get as much for our domains as possible, from them. And theres is to get the domain while paying as little as possible to us.
Joe T

 

[Internet.Domains]

I am not sure it can be done, We by nature have opposing motives, ours is to get as much for our domains as possible, from them. And theres is to get the domain while paying as little as possible to us.
Joe T

There has to be more to it in my opinion. Realtors have opposing views, buyer vs. seller, and their industry is legitimized. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[fatter]

That was my first thought as a comparison is realestate, but I think it is similar to" for sale by owner sites" against the real estate profession.

As far as buyer/seller in real estate the appraissals are pretty accurate because its a tangable piece of property as opposed to domains which the appraisal is pretty wide gulf.

 

[Internet.Domains]

That was my first thought as a comparison is realestate, but I think it is similar to" for sale by owner sites" against the real estate profession.

As far as buyer/seller in real estate the appraissals are pretty accurate because its a tangable piece of property as opposed to domains which the appraisal is pretty wide gulf.

There is definitely a hurdle to be overcome due to the "tangible" aspect. Although, intellectual property of many types have become mainstream in past.

 

[Kate]

1. Have good names priced right
   
2. Come up with more realistic pricing. It's justified to ask millions for crème de la crème domains but not for average domains rotting in your inventory and that could be put to better use.
3. Do not squat on TMs
4. Be professional at all times, even when dealing with loonies.
5. Don't spam
6. IMO®...

 

[Internet.Domains]

1. Have good names priced right
   
2. Come up with more realistic pricing. It's justified to ask millions for crème de la crème domains but not for average domains rotting in your inventory and that could be put to better use.
3. Do not squat on TMs
4. Be professional at all times, even when dealing with loonies.
5. Don't spam
6. IMO®...

Thanks Kate! Agreed!

 

[biggie]

What can the domain community do to become more credible?


There is no credibility issue between me and any buyer, whether they be end-user or reseller

and, there is no need to "legitimize" what i do, as the completion of each transaction illustrates that i am legit.

and, if each individual conducts themselves and their business transactions/negotiations in the same manner, then as a collective, that objective would be achieved.


still, if domain investing became more mainstream, many of you would get priced out the game.

as is, better be happy that domaining is still on the "low", so take advantage of what you can acquire while the getting is good.

but the community might get more credibility overall if they.....

1.stop spamming
2.stop spamming crappy names

imo...

 

[Corey]

firstly, act like a community

 

[Internet.Domains]

What can the domain community do to become more credible?


There is no credibility issue between me and any buyer, whether they be end-user or reseller

and, there is no need to "legitimize" what i do, as the completion of each transaction illustrates that i am legit.

and, if each individual conducts themselves and their business transactions/negotiations in the same manner, then as collective, that objective would be achieved.


still, if domain investing became more mainstream, many of you would get priced out the game.

as is, better be happy that domaining is still on the "low", so take advantage of what you can acquire while the getting is good.

but the community might get more credibility overall if they.....

1.stop spamming
2.stop spamming crappy names

imo...

I agree with you for the most part. However several things stand out to me in your answer.

1. You mention there is no need to "legitimize" due to the completion of transactions. However, IMO that does not necessarily legitimize our products to end users. Many times end users will purchase a domain and remain feeling as if they were taken advantage of. To go deeper into this subject we have to ask the question: How can the domain community make end users feel as if it is a "win-win"....

2. You mention if domain investing becomes mainstream, many would get priced out of the game. IMO this would increase the value of domains and liquidity, this would be a good thing and not a bad thing. A larger pool of investors and end users would benefit most current domain owners....

Thanks for your thoughts!.

 

[biggie]

I agree with you for the most part. However several things stand out to me in your answer.

1. You mention there is no need to "legitimize" due to the completion of transactions. However, IMO that does not necessarily legitimize our products to end users. Many times end users will purchase a domain and remain feeling as if they were taken advantage of. To go deeper into this subject we have to ask the question: How can the domain community make end users feel as if it is a "win-win"....

2. You mention if domain investing becomes mainstream, many would get priced out of the game. IMO this would increase the value of domains and liquidity, this would be a good thing and not a bad thing. A larger pool of investors and end users would benefit most current domain owners....

Thanks for your thoughts!.

1. never, ever, has a previous customer implied, after the sale, that they felt taken advantage of.

don't assume what someone thinks, when you don't know

2. this would not increase the value, just the cost in bidding wars with people who have more money than you.

if we could go to the car maker and buy directly from them instead of the dealer, then dealerships would eventually be phased out.

same logic with domaining, if end-users start buying up names at namejet, snap, gd closeouts, etc., then they don't have to buy from me and you.

imo.....

 

[Internet.Domains]

1. never, ever, has a previous customer implied, after the sale, that they felt taken advantage of.

don't assume what someone thinks, when you don't know

2. this would not increase the value, just the cost in bidding wars with people who have more money than you.

if we could go to the car maker and buy directly from them instead of the dealer, then dealerships would eventually be phased out.

same logic with domaining, if end-users start buying up names at namejet, snap, gd closeouts, etc., then they don't have to buy from me and you.

imo.....

I am not assuming anything. I have been told and I am sure I am not alone. I am going by remarks made POST SALE by customers. This isn't my first rodeo and if you think all end users feel a "win-win" than we got a long debate ahead of us....

 

[disaac81]

Don't be Dickers and Manns

 

[deez007]

The challenge that many domainers are faced with are end users not fully understanding the actual value of a domain name. Too many of them assume that because a domain can be bought for reg fee that paying two or 3 times the reg fee is justifiable. There was an end user who approached me few months ago for one of my .co.za domains. It was a really good domain (single word .co.za) when he contacted me he offered me the equivalent of $10 round about. When I countered and said I was looking for around $750 he replied and said that my pricing was ridiculous and I was insane.

The fact that he said that told me he obviously didn't understand that value of domains names. Just to illustrate my point I told him to check what Estibot values the domain at (obviously as domainers we know that Estibot valuations are not to be taken seriously) but sometimes using it to illustrate a point to ignorant end users can help.

In this particular case he replied and said he didnt realize the domain was actually worth that much ($1200 according to Estibot) then explained to me that he is a 1 man startup and he simply can not afford anywhere what I am asking for....I paid reg fee for the domain and sure it was a good domain but I had plenty better ones, so I ended up just giving it to him at reg and wishing him luck on his new venture.

I felt for him because he was a 1 man start up... Ive checked the domain every now and then and I can see that it is a new business and the site is still being setup... so I know he didn't take me for a ride....lol.. but I think doing our bit every now and then to help where we can certainly goes a long way into changing the perception of domainers.

 

[Internet.Domains]

Don't be Dickers and Manns

Agree with you on Dicker, but "Manns"?

 

[disaac81]

Agree with you on Dicker, but "Manns"?

True Mann is not in the same league as Dicker at all. But his consistent TM abuse makes this industry look very bad. If we are to improve the perception of what we do, us namers, branders, name inventors, domain flippers, we need to respect TM's and not make money unethically from them.

 

[Internet.Domains]

True Mann is not in the same league as Dicker at all. But his consistent TM abuse makes this industry look very bad. If we are to improve the perception of what we do, us namers, branders, name inventors, domain flippers, we need to respect TM's and not make money unethically from them.

Gotcha!...I see your point!

 

[visionse]

One of the most important problems is that in this industry does not require much experience to start, so new and young unethical investors enter. It would be important to make an association and an annual fee for all professionals.

An anecdote:
Some time ago I sold BitCreative.com, DjSnake.com, 8d.cc just to name a few. At Flippa they did not give me $ 1,000, which shows that there are certain places where there are many non-professional investors. In the end only for those names I received almost 6 figures. It is very strange the phenomenon, the gaps are very similar, the views are also very biased mainly by those who believe but know, as professionals. I also think that these big ones are tendentious.

As a conclusion make a non-profit association and this is in translated to the most important languages of the market.

 

[Doughmange]

There is no credibility issue between me and any buyer, whether they be end-user or reseller

and, there is no need to "legitimize" what i do, as the completion of each transaction illustrates that i am legit.

and, if each individual conducts themselves and their business transactions/negotiations in the same manner, then as a collective, that objective would be achieved.

1.stop spamming
2.stop spamming crappy names

imo...

I agree with you 1000% a billion likes to you.

------------------------

Earlier on a chat I saw someone pose a similar question such as, "how do you get people to pay you before you send them the domain?"

My first thought was WTF? What are they doing that is making the buyer not trust them.

The problem is that many domainers don't conduct themselves and their business professionally, and don't have a clue where to start. Unfortunately instead of educating themselves in business and sales, they pray for DomainSherpa to try and lay it on the table for them in order to be professional and convert sales.

 

[168]

"if we could go to the car maker and buy directly from them instead of the dealer, then dealerships would eventually be phased out.

same logic with domaining, if end-users start buying up names at namejet, snap, gd closeouts, etc., then they don't have to buy from me and you."

I agree with Biggie on this. There are very few industries in which the "end user" can buy "Wholesale"

1. Wholesale market needs to be separate access for businesses with some kind of accreditation related to the industry.
This would also eliminate registries option to sell direct. This shouldn't be allowed even today.

2.The descriptor of the product "domain names" needs upgrading to "domain property" or something like it to enhance perceived value to an end user
Clearly end users, or anybody else, has a difficult time equating "name" to a valuable commodity. "Property" is a much better
descriptor of what a domain is and it's perceived value as "Property" has a built in ubiquitous value meaning.
Domains are more than just a name and it truly is "digital property" or "intellectual property" when explained to an end user and why we believe the value of the price. Even fewer understand domains as an asset to a business that gains or retains value.
The industry adopted a mediocre brand identity that doesn't reflect the products value to the end users business.

3.Comps. More would help in defining market value. I don't use comps unless it's 4 characters or less. This is the only category with somewhat stable ranges.
I use ROI for the end use industry or culture on keyword domains and for brandables I use an emerging range of 2-6k. It could be quite some time before a formula emerges that works across the board like other industries and attempts have been made.

4."Premium" - This is the most misused word in the industry. It used to mean something. Lets take a poll and decide what a true
"Premium" is and why.

Great topic Internet.domains ! Thanks

Happy Hunting