How To Lose Money in Domaining

[accelerator]

I thought we should have a thread highlighting the ways to lose money in domaining, to help people not to make these mistakes. I'll start with the classic:

- Don't get carried away regging too many domains when you start out. Make a few sales before regging more, as this will give you insight into what sells and what doesn't. Otherwise, reg fees soon mount up and affect your profitability.

Next?

Rgds

 

[JMOT]

Dont bid on sedo auctions when a little drunk...

 

[bensd]

Don't get caught up in the frenzy of buying new extensions

 

[cm1975]

- Don't get carried away regging too many domains when you start out. Make a few sales before regging more, as this will give you insight into what sells and what doesn't. Otherwise, reg fees soon mount up and affect your profitability.

Very wise words from accelerator!

- Don't lose faith. Sometimes it's too easy to get frustrated by a lack of sales and sell your domains on AD for a fraction of the price that you might otherwise get. Take a long term approach to things.

- Contact end users to sell your domains. AD is full of people that have domains of equal quality, if not better than yours, so it's a difficult place to maximise the value. Your are basically taking coals to Newcastle. The internet is a very big marketplace, so contact companies that may be willing to pay a premium for a good quality domain name.

- Trademarks. Stay clear of them, or get ready to hand them over .... or worse.

 

[fish]

If you are new to domaining don't take the scattergun approach when regging domains.

If you are an expert in (for example) a subject, hobby, sport, or profession then begin to build your portfolio on those themes as you will know to a degree what is of value (in terms of the domain name) and desirability.

Once you get a feel for what sells within your niche (if that's what you want to do with the domains rather than develop them) you can then expand into other markets/areas with a little knowledge and experience behind you.

 

[accelerator]

Dont bid on sedo auctions when a little drunk...

The same goes for regging domains ...

Rgds

 

[Takwa]

The same goes for regging domains ...

Rgds

I still do.... have to stay off the bottle

 

[accelerator]

Don't do nothing with a domain ... at least put up a holding page saying the domain is for sale. Even better, build a quick site and run affiliate ads for passive income. The one exception to this is if there may be Trademark issues with the domain.

Don't be uncontactable ... if you've hidden your details on the WHOIS because you're an individual, remember to provide another means to contact you.

Rgds

 

[rob]

If you sell names, dont waste the cash, make sure you reinvest otherwise you will find it harder and harder as time goes by.

Sustainablity is key.

 

[accelerator]

Don't hold out for unrealistic valuations on your domains. You should be able to come up with decent valuations and have a good feel for the market, so that your valuations are "real world". Holding out for unrealistic valuations can cost you money, particularly if the market in general deteriorates.

Rgds

 

[accelerator]

Another one from me ... if a buyer demands an independent valuation before buying your domain, don't go along with it. This is a classic domaining scam, they just want you to pay for the valuation and you'll never hear from them again.

Rgds

 

[boxerdog]

Q. How To Lose Money in Domaining
A. Give it to me and i will lose it for you

​

 

[retired_member12]

Dont piss off other domainers. They're as much a source of regular business as an end user, plus the information they provide, and the support you get, isn't worth throwing away over minor squabbles.

Treat Nominet as you would a pet wolf!

 

[fish]

Find a decent registrar for your domains, cheap is not always the best option.
e.g. watch out for domain transfer out fees, read their small print first

 

[mat]

I think Lee Owen is releasing a book with the same title?

 

[accelerator]

Don't think that your domains can "sell themselves", most of the time they won't.

Rgds

 

[julian]

Dont piss off other domainers. They're as much a source of regular business as an end user, plus the information they provide, and the support you get, isn't worth throwing away over minor squabbles.

Treat Nominet as you would a pet wolf!

 

[retired_member12]

Dont piss off other domainers. They're as much a source of regular business as an end user, plus the information they provide, and the support you get, isn't worth throwing away over minor squabbles.

Treat Nominet as you would a pet wolf!

There's an echo in here!

 

[Admin]

Don't register or buy a domain just for development purposes, unless you REALLY will develop it.

Focus, focus, focus.... wait a minute....just off to WHOIS another 1,000 great ideas....

Admin

 

[Bailey]

Re-research the reason why you registered a domain name originally - prior to dropping,

Whoops on "touchapps.com" Thought it was still mine.

Agree with the drunken registrations - though having one or two in your account (keep them, don't cancel) sits as a reminder of foolish times