I need your advice…

[expertc]

Few years ago I’ve completed a B2B eMarketing strategy Project for a chemical trading company. That included, amongst others, 4 products where a domain was purchased and minisites developed. For more than 3 years the minisites are on the page 1 on Google (within first 4-5 results) both on global and local searches. About a month ago company changed it’s product range and decided not to deal with that products anymore.

Now, domains are registered on my name. The deal was signed that domains are exclusively for the use by the company and company would cover all renewal costs. They don’t want to get involved with selling these domains and want me to drop them. At the same time dropping 4 sites that are on the first page for years is something I don’t want to allow. I have negotiated with the company and they told me that they are going to issue me with the release document, e.g. they will state that the initial contract became invalid and domains and sites are becoming my property with no restriction.

I want to sell the whole set, but the set is know to be as something belonging to that company for years and quite popular in the industry. Confidentiality agreement with the company states that I do not disclose the information that the eStrategy / Sites are designed by me. As you can see, everything is mine legally but I appear as someone not related to the company. How on Earth can I market these 4 sites?

 

[wb]

Confidentiality agreement with the company states that I do not disclose the information that the eStrategy / Sites are designed by me.

They didn't cover that one very well if the domains are registered to your name

Sell them through a broker or sell them privately (e.g. to someone on here) so they can be flipped?

 

[crabfoot]

The obvious answer would be to use a broker to sell them - but I don't think that is the best answer.

If the company is discontinuing those parts of its business because they don't want to compete in a crowded market, the answer is to try LEASING the domains to the biggest players remaining in the market. A redesign will be needed so that this doesn't imply any physical business take-over, but if the sites generate worthwhile traffic, you might as well send it to somewhere it can be used.

If you redesign the sites and don't actually sell them, I can't see any conflict - you are effectively working on a new strategy and new designs.If the original company complains, you need only point out that dropping the domains would leave them available to be picked up by anyone.

 

[expertc]

Thanks, guys.

The reason of move is not the overcrowded market, but change of product range is due to the general range shift. But if the market is overcrowded, then still site on the first page is even a bigger asset.

They don’t even mind me keeping the design (it’s my design anyway, nothing special but very effective).

I am also thinking about a broker, but don’t know any working in B2B though. Domains are exacts in .com and .net