I’ve become more and more interested in buying, building, and selling domains. It all started with us clearing out some of my old domain names. I was finding, even though I wasn’t focusing much time on these domains, they still took up “mind space”. After a little research, we found the best market place for clearing out these websites was flippa.com.
What first started out as a way to clear the slate, has now turned into what I can see will be an important part of our business moving forward. What I love about buying and selling websites is that it’s an illiquid market and therefore there are opportunities everywhere – especially for the experienced internet marketer.
Even more recently, my attention has been drawn to domaining… if you’re not familiar with the term it’s very similar to buying and selling websites however, typically the focus is more on the the actual domain name as opposed to the web business.
Anyway, I’m no expert in the area so, as you might already know, I like to go to the source when it comes to learning new information. When at Ed Dale’s conference in Melbourne I met a couple that have been domaining for years – Anna and Simon Johnson (www.domainerincome.com). Anyway, it quickly become apparent these guys knew their stuff.
I asked Simon over to my office where we recorded a short interview for you. Here are a few of the things we chatted about:
- What’s the difference between buying and selling websites vs domaining?
- How to monitize a domain name? parking vs developing
- How to find expired domains?
- What’s the big news with ICANN (the governing body of domains)?
Watch the interview below:
I’m keen to hear what you think so be sure to post your comments below.
Your SEO Coach,
David Jenyns
Ps. Want to find out more about Simon’s service www.domainerincome.com? Check out the site below.
PPs. Remember to click here to follow me on twitter.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Solid information as usual guys!
Good stuff
Kenny
Hey just found your site, wanted to say i like what i see, its bookmarked and i will be back!
Found you through the youtube video on investing, also watched the video about domains and found it very interesting and informative. Thanks for the free content bro!
Your website is nothing short of awesome! I also bookmarked it, definately a keeper.
I really enjoyed the podcast. It is amazing information, specially I like the fact that you actually asked well thought questions. I am so glad I found your site. I definitely will keep looking into it.
Keep creating awesomeness. Thanksss
If you get this comment while in Italy. I recommend you to visit Cinque Terra.
Hi!
I just now came across this site via Gideon Shalwick’s Rapid Video Blogging report in which you gave a review. I’m interested to hear more on your community’s thoughts about “domain investing”.
Personally, I believe that the practice reeks of bottom-feeder behavior and find it a sad indication of our society’s growing compromise on integrity when people dedicate themselves to doing nothing but buying domain names in hopes of charging a ridiculous price for them or filling them with links that they hope to scrape profits from.
For example, I was interested in a particular domain name to run a startup, home-based non-profit to help homeless families in my homestate. But the domain owner wanted over $5,000 for it! This site had never been used as anything other than a landing page for one of those generic landing pages that the webhost bundles with the domain purchase. I was pretty sick and shocked. I believe it is this kind of greed that led us to disasters like the economic recession we are in now (yes, the same one that caused families go homeless). See how each of affects the world?
So I’m interested in hearing more about how “domainers” (I prefer the more accurate term “domain squatters”) validate what they do on an everyday basis. Is is the easy money? Is it the lack of actual hard work? Is it because none of them care that all the good, sensical domain names are nothing but landing pages of useless links (a.k.a. crap) when they could actually be used by people who want to build REAL businesses with them? Just because one finds an easy way to make money, doesn’t make them a genius. Maybe that’s it: no one cares about doing the smart thing or about real challenges anymore; some people, especially many internet/affiliate/domain marketers, nowadays seem to be short-willed cowards who confuse “easy” with “smart”.
Furthermore, in regards to content and aesthetics, is no one concerned that the web is congested with endless circles of uselessness perpetuated by domain squatters? I liken these people to those that bulldozer through beautiful unspoiled land only to build garish condos and other rude developments without concern for the actual best way to use the land/not use the land. This could also be summarized by the term, “They sold paradise and put a parking lot.”
And now there are “robots” and software that basically prowl the web, waiting to pounce on domain names and even claim them on the likelihood that someone else will claim them? Is enough not enough?
I find this interesting on a personal note because you, Mr. Jenyns, and Mr. Johnson are from Melbourne which I understand is full of very creative and authentic people. Odd, then, that such an acclaimed “domainer” as Mr. Johnson hails from Melbourne. It is no doubt that you, Mr. Jenyns, and many of the businesspeople you network with are intelligent. A shame, though, that some of those people cannot find better uses for their talents other than to squat on domains or bilk systems and people out of money.
In your opinion, is there a way to appeal to the better consciences and goodheartedness, if any, of domain squatters when you want to acquire one of their domains but cannot afford their asking price? In my experience, having a better reason than they do to own the domain is not a good enough reason for them. After all, it’s all about the money with opportunists, right?
On that note, enjoy your time in Italy. I love it there very much and wish you safe travels.
Sincerely.
Hi Opal,
Thanks for your post… I love it
Agreed there’s plenty of unscrupulous characters out there. I actually found this to the be case in just about all walks of life. Fortunately, on the flip side, there’s also lots of people in this world who act with integrity.
I ended up posting your comment on my twitter to get some feedback before making this post and the general consensus was that it’s hard to make generalisation after one bad transaction. I agree the squatter you talked about seems like a lowlife but don’t let it get you down. There’s millions of great domains out there!
I used to hear the same thing with regards to stock market speculation… what is a stock trader really adding to society anyway? It’s always been a tough one to answer but rested easy knowing I did plenty more (outside of trading) to add value to society. Moreover, I began to realise it takes all kinds of people to make up an efficient market place (even the dodgy ones).
Not too sure if this helps but just rest easy knowing “easy money” never lasts…
You finished saying “is there a way to appear to the better consciences and goodheartedness…” and I say “don’t focus on those who aren’t willing to help, focus on those who are”.
Your SEO Coach,
Dave
Ps. Luis: I did visit Cinque Terra… great suggestion!
Hey David and Opal
I have to say honestly Opal that your comment really struck a nerve when I was reading it on my ipad yesterday over a nice cup of coffee.
First off I want to give you a piece of my mind, but after sleeping on it I was able to see where you are coming from as I myself did have a similar experience where a domainer charged $4000 USD for a web address. I paid for it and lost my money and never got the address I had paid for.
I was in exactly the same mindset as you where thinking that all domainers are the lowest form of scum on the internet. (seriously I did!) However thanks to my mentor and meeting people like James, David, Ed and Sam I have grown to understand that like any market place of business there are different people. The ones who will take all your money till you are left with nothing and the ones who actually care and show empathy while still being profitable businesses.
Being a domainer although from the look on the surface may look easy work. For a smart domainer it really is not as easy as it looks, a smart domainer just does not buy a domain and just squat on it like you suggested in your post they actually build it to get PR rankings and increase in the search engines and Alexa rankings as this also increase it’s value. Yes there are the domainers who just sit on sites hoping to land the next big deal, but they are often the ones who end up having all these domains that no-body wants because they are of no-value even if keyword rich!
Also I loved the comment about how “Furthermore, in regards to content and aesthetics, is no one concerned that the web is congested with endless circles of uselessness perpetuated by domain squatters?”
To my understanding I am sure there is alot more Porn out there than domainers on un-aesthetic pages. (most of the time you will find that being un-aesthetic works!)
Now your comment about Melbourne is being to put it bluntly Rude!
Just because you come from a certain city does not mean you are constrained to specific type of personality or rules. This generality of a population over 1 million people is not only inaccurate but flawed as an arguement. I had no problem with reading the rest of your comment but this part is just plain rude. I will ask the following questions;
1. Do you know Mr. Jenyns and Mr. Johnson Personally?
2. Do you know what other business they may be in?
3. Have you every tried to purchase more than one domain
If you said no to all 3 of these then on what grounds do you have to accuse and genralise all domainers as evil, lazy and spammy?
If the domain is not in your pay rate, then it’s not for you find another domain or use a similar domain with best or another word infront and you can get it for under $10.
Regards
Josh
Hi Opal,
I thought I would take a few minutes to respond to some of your comments.
First of all, I don’t know who you are or if your story is actually real, but I’m going to take it on face value that this situation really happened.
Back in the late 80′s and early 90′s I had a similar view when it came to domain names. I personally didn’t like seeing the Internet polluted with advertisers and scam artists.
Unfortunately, a small number of people register domains that contain words that are trademarked. I have repeatedly condemned this practice in the mainstream media and in interviews such as this one with David.
In terms of your own experience, I can certainly relate to it. In fact, two weeks ago I was helping a charity (at no cost) take action against a domain squatter who was registering domains in their name. Like you, I felt sick and quite shocked at what happened, but I was prepared to help this charity recover their domains.
If I look at your post more broadly, I’d say one of the themes that come out is the balance between a “free market” and regulation. Its something that governance bodies such as ICANN need to deal with.
Kind regards,
Simon
I have read in a business book somewhere that when you run your own business, never treat it as a charity. I think it goes the same with having a business that does not heavily contribute to the good of the society. But that does not mean the business is evil. Every business has its goals and that is all that matters.
As to a domain that is priced ridiculously high, I would suggest forget about it and find another domain name. Surely you can think of another domain name worthy to build an online presence around it.
I heard about domain parking and have known some people who reserve a couple to say ten domain names, but it is only now that I realized this ‘domaining’ can be a huge online business too.
As for these big time domainers like Simon, do they also do some sort of inventory where they let go of some parked domain names for some reason? And what are the main basis for parking a certain domain (branding, keyword rich ones, etc.)?
Hey Neil,
Seeing you post lots on the blog lately… thanks for participating
As for your question, most domainers snap up domains with a view to just “get to it later” … parking is just another way to get a little extra $ while you’re figuring our what you’re going to do with it.
Hope that helps. Your SEO Coach,
Dave