Isn't it about time?

[DaveP]

Hello all,

As many of you know it's a constant battle communicating to end users the value and potential of domain names. Why is it worth x amount? What benefit would I gain from using said domain? And so on. I feel in our industry, especially the .uk namespace, there is big room for improvement on how we all can cost-effectively get our message across and universally raise awareness.

I have started this thread for anyone who would like to contribute ideas and suggestions to how this can be achieved? I think it's about time we pool together and get the ball rolling. Wouldn't it be a great achievement if in general domain names can be spoken about in the same breath as property or antiques for example? To be able to eradicate the stigma associated with domaining?

I believe most of us have skills here to produce a platform we all need in order to achieve this. A platform that is engaging, easy to understand and at the same time can promote itself amongst end users and even the general public.

I'm totally willing to build any platform to help achieve this but I can't do it all by myself, so come on let's be having you.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[FWSJay]

An FAQ/wiki type site may be handy so everyone could point potential buyers to...but, we can only show them the door, they have to walk through it.
Or a leaflet/email with the basics on when making contact?
I'll be back when more comes to me
Jay

 

[cc976a]

Good idea but end users know so little they probably wouldn't find it - or start searching for it.

Those end users that seek out names wouldn't need, and those none the wiser wouldn't know to look.

The info exists in a lot of places, some reputable places too, but despite this it doesn't help.

Would have to be a big media effort from big players and marketplaces to create any awareness

 

[DaveP]

An FAQ/wiki type site may be handy so everyone could point potential buyers to...but, we can only show them the door, they have to walk through it.
Or a leaflet/email with the basics on when making contact?
I'll be back when more comes to me
Jay

Yes I was thinking along similar lines and would be the obvious choice that comes to mind. What we really need is one central authoritative platform where all non-domainers can go to learn more. A single point of call that can be spread through social media and such.

Educating end users on potential values of domains would be a bonus albeit very difficult based on their subjectivity.

and those none the wiser wouldn't know to look.

Well that's the main aim here, to make those exact users want to look. It's up to us to bring it to them basically. Again why does it take some big name players? Like I said there's enough of us here to get something going. I'm sure everyone here uses Facebook, Twitter and the like. If we setup one platform as mentioned and spread the word ourselves why couldn't it go viral? I mean possibly not enough users will even care to look but it's got to be worth the effort, right?

 

[Murray]

I don't know If I will put this across as eloquently as I hope but here goes.

Either the buyer wants the domain and they're willing to pay the price you ask or they aren't.

If they don't know already why the domain is worth £££££ to them they shouldn't be buying it.

If you can quickly convince them that the domain is worth many times to them than what they thought then you should have a go at selling them some magic beans too.

 

[DaveP]

I don't know If I will put this across as eloquently as I hope but here goes.

Either the buyer wants the domain and they're willing to pay the price you ask or they aren't.

If they don't know already why the domain is worth £££££ to them they shouldn't be buying it.

I should have mentioned this in my first post but you'd be surprised how many don't even know to go looking for domain names and why it would be beneficial to them. When I sold BookLuxuryHotels dot com recently the buyer wasn't even aware it was for sale or else he would have contacted me or the sooner as he snapped it up given the chance.

In other words without my aggressive approach the domain will most likely still be sat there in my portfolio and this buyer would still be none the wiser.

 

[Edwin]

From experience, it's generally possible to "educate" buyers within one order of magnitude. For example, if they're thinking low-£xxx you may be able to make a case that will convince them to pay high-£xxx (if they have the funds). Similarly, you might be able to move the needle from high-£xxx to low £x,xxx. Again, I'm talking about price actually paid vs their raw expectations coming in.

But you're not going to turn £xx into £x,xxx (I don't mean a £xx offer - which could simply be lowballing from somebody with deep pockets - I mean somebody who's convinced that domains should go for £xx "just because")

In other words, "education only goes so far"

 

[Murray]

I should have mentioned this in my first post but you'd be surprised how many don't even know to go looking for domain names and why it would be beneficial to them. When I sold BookLuxuryHotels dot com recently the buyer wasn't even aware it was for sale or else he would have contacted me or the sooner as he snapped it up given the chance.

In other words without my aggressive approach the domain will most likely still be sat there in my portfolio and this buyer would still be none the wiser.

But the problem was he didn't know it was available, rather than convincing him of price, maybe I'm confused about the issue here.

Are you considering building a platform to put domains for sale in a shop window or to convince buyers they're worth more than they originally thought.

 

[DaveP]

But the problem was he didn't know it was available, rather than convincing him of price, maybe I'm confused about the issue here.

Are you considering building a platform to put domains for sale in a shop window or to convince buyers they're worth more than they originally thought.

A platform with the purpose of educating the general public and end users on domain names and the reasons why they have value. When my friends or family ask me what I've been up to lately and I mention one of my hobbies as still buying and selling domain names they look at me confused. I get questions thrown at me like "but cant anyone buy a domain for £5 or whatever?" and "people actually buy and sell those url thingy's?". The fact is domaining is not common knowledge like say antiques are.

If we made domaining common knowledge it would improve the industry for us all drastically.

 

[Murray]

If we made domaining common knowledge it would improve the industry for us all drastically.

Better that domaining be kept out of common knowledge of the general public because it wont lead to masses wanting to buy domains.. why would they, normal people don't need domain names for anything.

No, it leads to a gold rush, people will just hoover up rubbish domains or even worse get interested in catching; the .uk pond is probably over fished as it is.

Not that I think more than 0.00001% of the population would even be interested to learn why domains are worth money, because again, they don't need a domain name and they most likely think it very boring

 

[Sam]

Sorry but its not the best idea if they want the domain they will contact you.

There are quite a few sites explaining the value of domains. Also loads of good well known platforms like sedo,dns, etc

If they dont know the value simple dont sell to them.

 

[websaway]

Domains display different qualities to different people and real value is not normally appreciated by most until after a sale has been made

The kind of problem you have is bulls and bears, some people prefer to talk down the market,some to talk it up, whichever serves their purpose better.

Some people give their opinions on here which reflect their own interests, which is to be expected and is why I rarely get annoyed at what members post.

I think your idea of a platform to inform the public is desirable but unlikely to have much effect and if it could be done it would have serious consequences for the secondary domain market.

 

[AssetDomains]

It’s definitely an interesting thought I’m guessing a lot of the info is already out there in many ways Edwin for example does a great job of explaining the value of domains on his site domainprices.co.uk is a good way to show historical value in domains.

To reach end users though I think portfolio holders, the big registrars and nominet need to sit round a table and work together.

Wouldn’t it be great if your premium .co.uk could be displayed on domainmonster 123-reg etc at the moment you only ever see tld’s because of the transfer process.
We should sit down and take sedo out of this part of the UK pie as they don’t seem to want to make it work.

How about some sort of nominet account add-on were resellers could mark domains available for sale/auto transfer. nominet could charge a fee accesses to the service and or take a percentage of any sale

Registrars would be able list these UK domains in there premium sections and take a percentage of any sale which would be processed instantly.
I’d envisage a system were the premium status was returned in the availability lookup to easily automate the process.

Surly If all 3 parties sat down it could be win win win for all involved

 

[namealot]

I’d see it as more often many simply don’t understand basic business? They reg names that the business don’t need/want (we not talking premium here as they sell themselves)

Many don’t grasp there trying to sell low value name to business which often is localized, use traditional adverting methods to greater effect e.g. a butcher in lands end doesn’t need someone in Timbuktu to see what meat they have for sale ? They trade on passing traffic, recommendations etc even ones that require a web presence they need to be on the big players and “g” local neither requires a domain name? If they wish to sell show etc there goods services etc the name is immaterial as for a very high % web user will likely follow the links from above and bookmark? A site on page 3 of g will likely bring a business in nothing?

Those that sell online should already know the value of name to there business so you don’t need to convince etc even start ups which sites may help they want to be working not looking for developer host etc To even stand a chance with low value ones even some higher you need offer same type or service traditional advertisers do they design, print, create and distribute.. you’ll need to design host and develop etc doing so will help many sell if you can’t then chances are will always be uphill battle

 

[stellar73]

Wouldn’t it be great if your premium .co.uk could be displayed on domainmonster 123-reg etc at the moment you only ever see tld’s because of the transfer process.
We should sit down and take sedo out of this part of the UK pie as they don’t seem to want to make it work.

How about some sort of nominet account add-on were resellers could mark domains available for sale/auto transfer. nominet could charge a fee accesses to the service and or take a percentage of any sale

Great suggestions totally agree!