Alchemy ?

aqls · Jan 23, 2006

Has anyone got any solid examples (and I mean perhaps 10 or 20 examples) showing that a previously non-trafficked, non-type-in domain with perhaps not too obvious a name (or maybe it should be an obvious name provided it didn't have any type-ins) that now makes a decent percentage more than reg fee.

It is just an idea, but maybe a pitch to some big funds may be in order for a 'domain fund' if I can get a good idea of some of the variables.

I can see it also helping find a 'base level' pricing structure for a lot of domains.

1) proof of turning non-trafficked domain into say at least 100 x reg fee per annum
1b) or of turning bought domains (i.e. more than reg fee) into decent profit
2) not porn or trademarks etc
3) rough idea of the amount of dev time (not including the first one) per site (in terms of person-days split - design/promotion).
3b) an indication of the dev time for the first one
4) rough idea of time lag before profitability set in

You can pm if you prefer, and keep the domains anonymous too if you like. I will keep all information sent to me as confidential.

It is only an idea at this stage, and if it looks like its working I will post again.

-aqls-

charlie · Jan 24, 2006

you lost me on the type of domains you;re looking for? do you want names that had no traffic before that do now? and how much over what period do they have to earn to make it interesting?

sorry :S

aqls · Jan 24, 2006

ok, for starters I am looking for solid hard evidence that a good team can make a domain portfolio work.

So I am looking for people who have examples of say a dozen or more domains in their books that originally had demonstrably no or little traffic and that now are earning in excess of say £40 per month. (preferably more, the more they earn the more likely we are going to make the figures work for us).

Where the design and promotion effort was "reasonable". i.e. the costs of the labour involved are not going to completely dwarf the returns we're likely to get.

That said, if the first domain was very hard to develop (template creation, systems design etc) and the subsequent ones were much easier, then it is the effort required in the subsequent ones that is more of interest if you take the portfolio as a whole.

I suspect to get good investment plan together we'd have to show that it can show a positive return over a year to 18 months, where people hours x people hourly rate + domain prices, hosting and other costs per month becomes less than domains income per month.

The original start up costs could be offset over time.

-aqls-

aquanuke · Jan 24, 2006

If your talking about profitable developed domains then the actual domain name is irelevant in my opinion. You could take hjkashdkjhasjh.co.uk and make it earn £100K a year. But thats hard work its not like reg'ing a domain and parking it to double your investment with no effort.

aqls · Jan 24, 2006

Yes, quite.

I think its the happy achievable medium that I'm after.

Which is why the time involved becomes an important factor in the pitch.

I'd like to include your success with hjkashdkjhasjh.co.uk to 100k - that would certainly secure the deal

-aqls-

aquanuke · Jan 24, 2006

Well I would work 20hours a day 7 days a week and make extremely profitable affiliate sites. TBH all of my domains where pants they got no type in traffic etc. The only aspect that made my sites profitable was that they where very well SEO'd.

Sites should be quick loading, no large templates, lots of text etc etc. I wouldnt spend much time on the design, all my time would be spent doing content or scripts that would automate the content for me.. ie scrapping or datafeeds.

I could make any domain profitable because Ive never used type in traffic b4. No one looks at the url when they click the first domain Google returns in the SERPS.

But its hard work, alot of time and effort and you cant hire a team to do that kind of stuff.

Ive got sites I havent touched in two years that still make 2-3k a month.

aqls · Jan 24, 2006

Ok, there's one.

Thanks Aquanuke, you're in! (it is still just an idea, but . . .)

You are precisely the sort of person I would like to put forward as heading this team.

Any others?

-aqls-

Lucky Luke · Jan 24, 2006

Follow up for aquanuke or anyone that knows.... what's scrapping?

ie scrapping or datafeeds.

Thanks, Luke

aquanuke · Jan 24, 2006

Lucky Luke said:
Follow up for aquanuke or anyone that knows.... what's scrapping?

Thanks, Luke

Scrapping is basically stealing

I used to scrape content from Inktomi, Amazon, Ebay, WHSmiths, Blackstar, BBC .. anything was fair game. This was years and years ago b4 datafeeds and pretty much wasent even many affiliate programs then.

Infact I did so well from eBay made me a beta developer on their API a few years back.

Edwin · Jan 24, 2006

Scrapping = scraping. Maybe that makes more sense. Basically scraping data off of other sites. And yes, if the site whose content is being scraped doesn't consent, it's theft and you could be challenged under the DMCA and other laws.

aquanuke · Jan 24, 2006

Thats a good point, things I would do could be considered very underhand. Thats maybe why having a *team would not be a good idea.

I would just keep it quiet, rake it in and retire away.

BFTUK · Jan 25, 2006

Its an interesting idea. One i might have a little bit of a play with, although i am a almost complete novice.

I've got a couple of domains that fit your description.

I'll post back with updates etc to let you know how i getting on.

aqls · Jan 25, 2006

I am aware of quite alot of the shall we say 'dark side' of seo and ppc.

I am still sure that above board, but still being streetwise, we could achieve big things.

But I'm leaning toward the idea that I should just shut up and go make some money!

-aqls-