question What is the biggest pain point for you in the domain industry? Help.

[Napkin.com]

Hi everyone.
Aron here.
I'm working on something -- but want to see if my assumptions are correct.
I am not even going to mention my project - I don't want to force answers on you.

WHAT is the biggest pain point you face with domains?

Open ended question here. :D
Feel free to elaborate WHY this is a problem and WHAT you've tried to remedy it.

I'm looking to hear about SUPER DIFFICULT problems you face.
Perhaps what I am working on is the solution. I'll announce that later.

Thanks!
Aron
Napkin.com

 

[Domain boy]

Hi everyone.
Aron here.
I'm working on something -- but want to see if my assumptions are correct.
I am not even going to mention my project - I don't want to force answers on you.

WHAT is the biggest pain point you face with domains?

Open ended question here. :D
Feel free to elaborate WHY this is a problem and WHAT you've tried to remedy it.

I'm looking to hear about SUPER DIFFICULT problems you face.
Perhaps what I am working on is the solution. I'll announce that later.

Thanks!
Aron
Napkin.com

first of all, very nice domains congratulations!

for me personally the biggest trouble are the inconclusive buyers with whom you reach an agreement and end up not paying and not honoring the deal.

Another problem is domain management and really remembering all the domains I have haha, i know however i could limit that issue by using some techniques.

Thanks for bringing this thread up.

 

[Napkin.com]

first of all, very nice domains congratulations!

for me personally the biggest trouble are the inconclusive buyers with whom you reach an agreement and end up not paying and not honoring the deal.

Another problem is domain management and really remembering all the domains I have haha, i know however i could limit that issue by using some techniques.

Thanks for bringing this thread up.

Thanks for this. Eager to see what others say.
Yeah, people backing out of deals is annoying. Super frustrating.

 

[Constantin S]

There are 2 HUGE problems I found lately:
- Being able to get liquidity, without feeling like you've got ripped off. So an auction platform where you can finish a deal within 7-14 days for a 10-15% fee.
- Conflict of interest. This industry won't go to the next level if we won't hold everyone accountable.

Just to give 2 examples:
Sedo: I tried selling a domain on their monthly auction where you have to submit your domains, and my domain got rejected. I know for a fact this is a conflict of interest because I can easily sell this domain for $2k+ here and yet they accepted TENS of trash domains that aren't even worth their reg fee.
GoDaddy: They boast about how they redesigned their auction to make it better for everyone, yet when I did a close inspection I discovered how they STILL prioritize their 'expiring auctions' above 'public auctions', so if you're listing anything there you're going to get ~15% of the exposure when compared to an 'expiring auction'.

 

[Napkin.com]

yeah the conflicts are tough.

Also, from my time in domaining and running auctions - liquidity is super tough.
it's not like a collectible where there's a buyer at every price level... and you need multiple buyers for auctions to work.
Lower value names might not produce the end result you seek... liquidity is a big problem in the space
and I'm not sure how to solve it.
have you tried namejet.com for auctions? They seem to have a solid buyer base.

 

[Constantin S]

yeah the conflicts are tough.

Also, from my time in domaining and running auctions - liquidity is super tough.
it's not like a collectible where there's a buyer at every price level... and you need multiple buyers for auctions to work.
Lower value names might not produce the end result you seek... liquidity is a big problem in the space
and I'm not sure how to solve it.
have you tried namejet.com for auctions? They seem to have a solid buyer base.

I checked them out, but I never understood how to auction anything in there.

 

[Reddstagg]

Good evening.

Napkin...you gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em LOL

I'd say a major bugbear would be a previous owner not deleting a domain name from a marketplace and said marketplace requiring you to get a singed statement from your great great great grandparents stating that you do indeed now own this domain name.

Rgrds,

Reddstagg

 

[HotKey]

I guess for me is holding back on a DN for the right buyer. Is it priced too high? Am I being overly optimistic? Should I have accepted that offer? Did I leave money on the table? That domain I dropped, is now developed, damn.

Biggest pain point is letting go. Mostly have learned how to be fluid with my expectations.

 

[HotKey]

Napkin...you gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em LOL

Always ask for extra.

 

[Napkin.com]

Good evening.

Napkin...you gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em LOL

I'd say a major bugbear would be a previous owner not deleting a domain name from a marketplace and said marketplace requiring you to get a singed statement from your great great great grandparents stating that you do indeed now own this domain name.

Rgrds,

Reddstagg

that's a good point .
wonder what the answer there is?

 

[Napkin.com]

I guess for me is holding back on a DN for the right buyer. Is it priced too high? Am I being overly optimistic? Should I have accepted that offer? Did I leave money on the table? That domain I dropped, is now developed, damn.

Biggest pain point is letting go. Mostly have learned how to be fluid with my expectations.

I feel you on that one.
There is no pricing guide, which is fine. prices are up to buyer and seller motivation.
But it's tough to know when to say yes, when to pass, when to keep negotiating.

 

[HotKey]

I feel you on that one.
There is no pricing guide, which is fine. prices are up to buyer and seller motivation.
But it's tough to know when to say yes, when to pass, when to keep negotiating.

I think in your case, judging by your signature, you have some top-tier dot-com domains that really doesn't give a lot of room for fluidity. Once it's gone it's gone. I remember something someone said here once, can't remember who, but along the lines of..

"How much would it cost me to buy this domain back, if I sold it to you for the price you want and not the price I want?"

It could be exorbitant. At the same time, depending on the domain name itself, how many potential buyers are there actually, at true worth? Often, it's not many. Hence the waiting game, which could be short of forever. True worth is the sale price agreed upon buy buyer and seller, not market value. Even negotiating can take months or years even with the right buyer. Nothing wrong with that.

But how to differentiate between what your gut tells you, and what your brain says? That's another hurdle. To me, when to say yes, when to pass, and when to keep negotiating depends on the potential pool of users in relation to the offer, the proximity of what I seek for compensation, and a pulse on the buyer themselves: how motivated are they?

Not to mention, how motivated am I, as the seller, to actually sell at a realistic price? Adjusting expectations can be fortuitous in the end. There is a quote I will always remember made here by NP user Kate:

I like to say that the first offer received is often the last you'll ever get.

excluding blatant low-ball offers, obviously. This is where getting a pulse of the buyer can lead to good negotiations for a finalized deal.

 

[Napkin.com]

I think in your case, judging by your signature, you have some top-tier dot-com domains that really doesn't give a lot of room for fluidity. Once it's gone it's gone. I remember something someone said here once, can't remember who, but along the lines of..

"How much would it cost me to buy this domain back, if I sold it to you for the price you want and not the price I want?"

It could be exorbitant. At the same time, depending on the domain name itself, how many potential buyers are there actually, at true worth? Often, it's not many. Hence the waiting game, which could be short of forever. True worth is the sale price agreed upon buy buyer and seller, not market value. Even negotiating can take months or years even with the right buyer. Nothing wrong with that.

But how to differentiate between what your gut tells you, and what your brain says? That's another hurdle. To me, when to say yes, when to pass, and when to keep negotiating depends on the potential pool of users in relation to the offer, the proximity of what I seek for compensation, and a pulse on the buyer themselves: how motivated are they?

Not to mention, how motivated am I, as the seller, to actually sell at a realistic price? Adjusting expectations can be fortuitous in the end. There is a quote I will always remember made here by NP user Kate:

excluding blatant low-ball offers, obviously. This is where getting a pulse of the buyer can lead to good negotiations for a finalized deal.

maybe we need better tools the tell us the buyer pool for a given name.
What do you use now, besides gut?
linkedin company names? google? crunch base?

 

[HotKey]

maybe we need better tools the tell us the buyer pool for a given name.
What do you use now, besides gut?
linkedin company names? google? crunch base?

Similar developed names, via Google, and Twitter results over a relevant timeline helps; keywords, trends, usernames that are functional and have multiple adaptations that are also in use. Believe it or not, digging into YouTube and Reddit comments can reveal some stuff too.

Personally, not a fan of tools as they limit perception and relevance. Like with domain names, eg, Napkin, this could easily be brand name not even associated with the dictionary meaning which tools may not catch.

 

[rokoroko]

closeout Uniregistry by Godaddy! What a shame.

 

[twiki]

OK so let's take this in order:

1. Get those registries from DC and SN back to the world so there's no more drop catch behemoth out there. = Not gonna happen unless a special US bill is issued aimed at this (chances are nil).

2. Make a new syndication platforms other than Sedo and Afternic which don't have the issues those have = almost impossible to happen today, that ship has sailed long time ago

3. The best lander platform out there = Maybe Dan? But now it's owned by GD and will shift, and shifting already, AND it doesn't sell a single thing for me, for reasons I can't fathom.

4. A global auction site where you can see all auctions in one place? = Not gonna happen as each site has their own interests

5. Tool to monitor your portfolio and administer etc = I doubt domainers will pay for it. Edit: I use Excel and OpenOffice

5a. Side note, domainers are stingy (I am one too).

6. Tool to discover the best domains out of a gazillion ones = I have that, it provides an edge but it ain't nowhere close to experience. You cannot sell by what others say it sells. You will sell by what your experience tells you it sells so you buy that particular thing in the first place.

Oh, and if AI gets in this, guess what - domainers no longer have access as big whales with deep pockets will scoop everything.

7. Suggestion tools, tld checks, availability tools., custom landers like Efty... all already exist, nothing is particularly of any matter.

8. Alternate to ExpiredDomains.net = doesn't exist as it is very difficult to build one. Also, what's wrong with ED in the first place.

9. Outbound service / email marketing stuff - maybe some things can be in this line but it ain't gonna bring home the bacon in my opinion for either side = see point 5a

10. A new parking service better than Bodis etc = Yeah, tough to make that happen without access to great networks which requires a large user base in the first place.

11. Alternate to SH and BB = this is feasible, BUT it will be a b*tch to get them rolling well. Costly.

I could continue, but anyway. Am I missing something?

 

[gericsb]

Exposure of names for sale. Would like to see some type of 'Auction Agrregator' for lack of a better word.

Similar to how Afternic Fast Transfer or Sedo MLS gets your domains in the Registrar Stream, I would like something that gets your Domains for Sale into the Auction Stream.

So now, our names come up automatically in NameJet Auctions, GD Auctions, Other Auctions with the same level of exposure as the Expired Domains that the Registrar owns.

Something where the name doesn't have to be held at the Reg to be available in their auction.

 

[twiki]

Exposure of names for sale. Would like to see some type of 'Auction Agrregator' for lack of a better word.

Similar to how Afternic Fast Transfer or Sedo MLS gets your domains in the Registrar Stream, I would like something that gets your Domains for Sale into the Auction Stream.

So now, our names come up automatically in NameJet Auctions, GD Auctions, Other Auctions with the same level of exposure as the Expired Domains that the Registrar owns.

Something where the name doesn't have to be held at the Reg to be available in their auction.

Already mentioned this above, see 4. But we were probably typing at the same time.

Sites will prevent this from working.

 

[gericsb]

Already mentioned this above, see 4. But we were probably typing at the same time.

Sites will prevent this from working.

Yes, we both responded simultaneously. Lol.

And, yes, I agree sites will prevent this from working.....

 

[twiki]

Also, most domainers don't realize something.

Domaining is a rigged world entirely.

- 2/3 of the market is owned by behemots of all sorts.

- Then, there are the few large individual investors that have scooped the dotcom cream 10...20 years ago. (fool me, I got out of that back then, each of my .COM names from then are now listed 5 to 6 fig)

- Then comes the fish like few guys here making a living. Including myself.

- Then comes the little fish who will never make a living out of domains and are simply food for registrars.

Chances are against you guys. Tools? Tools are helpful but they won't fix / compensate / offer what you don't have. As in : EXPERIENCE, BUDGET, AND TIMING. The latter being the most critical one.

If you started 10 years ago, then yeah. Today? Your chances are at best very slim, towards nil.

I know what it took me to make a living from it, and most of the ones starting or even in this already don't have the edge. (Edit: actually several distinct pieces of edge)

Side note I only continued because of passion. It fits me like a glove and I know I will be retiring well from it. I do alright, probably 100% ROI overall in 2022 but still it's not where I thought it will be.

Edit: If I had banked on Bitcoin, I would have been far better now.

But I do have the passion for domains.

 

[Napkin.com]

yeah only a dozen major problems to solve. haha :D
sounds like opportunity.

 

[Napkin.com]

yeah, experience is key... bankroll and the ability to say no... which goes back to bankroll.

 

[HotKey]

yeah only a dozen major problems to solve. haha :D
sounds like opportunity.

Lol. Experimentation, not fixation, should help find what works best for you. There's a ton of avenues to explore to working out pains. Results can differ depending on the domain name, and approach to selling.

 

[cooljub]

"How much would it cost me to buy this domain back, if I sold it to you for the price you want and not the price I want?"

Something to consider when pricing, thanks.

 

[jmcc]

Biggest pain point: increasing renewal fees.

Second biggest pain point: Reading dubious claims about Web Usage from the likes of Centr and others about new gTLDs, legacy gTLDs when they simply don't understand how to measure Web Usage. The stuff about new gTLD Web Usage that was used by one of the ICANN working groups dealing with the success of new gTLDs was wrong. By the time the working group's report was published, around 90% of the domain names in some new gTLDs that were supposed to have had developed websites had been deleted. The methdology used couldn't differentiate between a gambling/porn lander and a developed website.

Third biggest pain point: Remembering the future.

Having access to a lot of domain name stats means that some drop trends are visible a year or more before they hit the mainstream. When domainers talk about their latest and greatest discounted registration in a new gTLD, they often don't realise that of the discounted regs in that month, 90% or more won't be renewed on their first renewal. For a lot of domain names, there is a complicated formula that can be used to predict the probability of a domain name being renewed. The results are bloody scary when applied to some TLDs.

Deep discounting is a very cynical business model used to grow a TLD at the expense of the registrants. Some of the new gTLDs are not quite so bad but the non-renewal %s can sometimes be around 80% for first year registrations. The Web Usage percentages (how many domain names are developed in a TLD and how many are on PPC/Sale/Redirect) can also distinguish good TLDs from the ones that are not doing so well. When a registry uses deep discounting to drive registrations in a TLD, web usage collapses and renewal rates follow. The process can take a few years but it is difficult if not impossible for a TLD to recover.

Once the initial landrush for a TLD is over, the new registrations numbers stabilise and the registries start making more money from renewals than from new registrations. With deep discounting, the registries end up destroying the renewals. These are just the basics of the domain name industry but people keep ignoring them expecting each new TLD to be different.

Regards...jmcc