Judgement of what is worth registering?

[Stephen]

I have not capturing .co.uk or reviewing any drop lists July - September, due to my time being spent on .uk consultation.

During October, I have acquired expired lists and reviewed drop lists and registered or caught the following 134 Uk domains in October 2013.

I was wondering if I could have any feedback on;

• % or rough number of these that others would feel it is worth the registration fee?
• and how many ish or rough % are worth over say £50 ?

Or whether I should leave UK domains and go back to my day job?

Thanks for looking and hopefully expressing an opinion.

247flyers.co.uk
3djigsaw.co.uk
AdvertisingVideo.co.uk
AppliedMathematics.co.uk
AroundTheWorldTrip.co.uk
AroundTheWorldTrips.co.uk
AudioAdvertising.co.uk
Besh.co.uk
BicycleCouriers.co.uk
BirdWatchingHoliday.co.uk
BoatDehumidifier.co.uk
BondDealer.co.uk
bondtrader.co.uk
BowlingAlleys.co.uk
BusinessSeller.co.uk
BuytoLetRemortgages.co.uk
CarFirstAidKits.co.uk
CityShortBreaks.co.uk
CollegeofArts.co.uk
CompleteSystems.co.uk
CostAccounting.co.uk
CreditAudit.co.uk
CustomMadeRings.co.uk
DatabaseAudit.co.uk
DecksofCards.co.uk
DemonstrationStaff.co.uk
DerbyshirePhotography.co.uk
DiamondSaw.co.uk
DinnerPartyFood.co.uk
DirectMailingLists.co.uk
DiscoveryTravelGuides.co.uk
Dogologist.co.uk
DrinkCoasters.co.uk
DrivewayLighting.co.uk
EmbossedPrinting.co.uk
EmployeeBackgroundCheck.co.uk
EnvelopePrinter.co.uk
EventInvitations.co.uk
FactorySigns.co.uk
FansAndAirConditioning.co.uk
FinlandTravel.co.uk
FoodHygieneAndSafety.co.uk
ForexDealer.co.uk
FormalEveningWear.co.uk
FundAdvisor.co.uk
Gelp.co.uk
GentsHairdresser.co.uk
GentsHairdressers.co.uk
GolfTeesDirect.co.uk
GroomingParlour.co.uk
HairdressingSchools.co.uk
HelicopterLesson.co.uk
HistoricSportsCars.co.uk
HomeRelease.co.uk
HorsePhotographs.co.uk
HorsePhotos.co.uk
IndependentPublishers.co.uk
inflightCatering.co.uk
inheritanceLaw.co.uk
instantGarden.co.uk
insuranceAudit.co.uk
JuniorGolfSchool.co.uk
KitchenDesignService.co.uk
Kora.co.uk
Lesh.co.uk
LocalSearchOptimisation.co.uk
LocalSearchOptimization.co.uk
LoyaltyScheme.co.uk
LuxuryUkBreaks.co.uk
ManSeekingMan.co.uk
Mevin.co.uk
Microcams.co.uk
MobileAirconditioners.co.uk
MobileScaffolding.co.uk
MotorcycleMuseum.co.uk
mriScanners.co.uk
MuseumOfArt.co.uk
NameJewellery.co.uk
NegativeEquityLoan.co.uk
NewbuildHouse.co.uk
NewBusinessFinancing.co.uk
NewCovers.co.uk
NurseryStaff.co.uk
OffshoreProgramming.co.uk
OffshoreWebDevelopment.co.uk
OnlySigns.co.uk
OriginalWebDesign.co.uk
OverseasConveyancing.co.uk
PaternityTests.org.uk
PatioPavingStones.co.uk
PersonalisedMarketing.co.uk
PhotoEnhancement.co.uk
PhotographicRetouching.co.uk
Picture2Canvas.co.uk
PointofSaleDisplayStands.co.uk
PortableAirCompressor.co.uk
PrintingSpecialists.co.uk
PrintManagementSystem.co.uk
RentalGenerators.co.uk
RestaurantKitchen.co.uk
Reworkit.co.uk
RoomForHire.co.uk
SalesGeneration.co.uk
SampleContract.co.uk
SaveDosh.co.uk
ScaffoldRental.co.uk
sellbusinesses.co.uk
ShareCertificates.co.uk
ShortTermOfficeSpace.co.uk
SimplyDropship.co.uk
SkipperedYachtCharter.co.uk
SpanishTranslators.co.uk
SpecialistHaulage.co.uk
SpecialityPackaging.co.uk
StartUpBusinessPlan.co.uk
SteamSaunas.co.uk
StockReports.co.uk
StockVideoFootage.co.uk
SwimmingPoolDehumidifiers.co.uk
TailoringServices.co.uk
TankCleaners.co.uk
TextilePrinters.co.uk
ThingsYouWant.co.uk
TileCalculator.co.uk
TravelSpecialists.co.uk
UnlockingSolutions.co.uk
WarehouseInsurance.co.uk
WhichAirConditioner.co.uk
WholesaleDistributor.co.uk
WholesaleFrames.co.uk
WineOpeners.co.uk
Wooch.co.uk
WorldFlags.co.uk
YachtArtist.co.uk​

 

[Skinner]

What's your objective i.e. Sell to end users, setup adsense, affiliate sites ?

The list seems like your spreading your bets very wide and getting some chaff stuck on the wheat.

For example TileCalculator, aside from a Javascript calculator applet to convert measurement of room into required numbers of tiles based on supplied tile size, which is an affiliate head ache because means plumbing in each tiles size, or it means the user is going to have to enter said information, just seems like its going to be a hard sell.

MRIScanners, I can't see how you could monetise it.

I select them either on my niche or flavour or if I can see a simple method of money, if I can't find a simple money maker odds are I'll be holding it forever

 

[Stephen]

Agree it is a wide range of subjects

What's your objective i.e. Sell to end users, setup adsense, affiliate sites ?

Thank for your comments.

Although I would like to develop a lot of them, time being what it is, they all simply go on sale.

Whether they get sold to end users for websites or domain developers for affiliate or traffic generation objectives, as I think the SEO buyers are gone due to the change in EMD and cost of building mini-sites is high.

Agree it is a wide range of subjects but I also like to acquire domains which have monetization possibilities or as a home for a niche business.

Regarding mri scans, I did have to pay privately for one and it cost a fortune and so I thought (but did not check in that case) that there would be Google adds, which I usually use as an indicator that there is any interest in the term.

On tile calculator (no Google ads on term - not a good sign), agree it would be hard work to make a calculator but if it was done as the best calculator, it would generate relevant traffic and then may have the opportunity for affiliate income or somebody may see that as a possibility and buy it?

Take your point of holding them forever or until I realize nobody is interested, but due to the difference between cost and price, there is a built in wastage %, it is whether 10% or 50% of the domains look like they are worth over £50?

 

[websaway]

You've clearly not lost your faith in co.uk domains.

 

[martin-s]

Of that 133, I can see some sort of vague value potential in 39.

However, I'm with Skinner. I generally register/buy domains within a niche I'm developing (or plan to develop) or where there is a clearly defined sales opportunity.

I would only have registered maybe 5 or 6 of those you posted. (I have cut back quite a lot though)

 

[Paullas]

What is your day job

 

[Stephen]

soon know if that faith is misplaced!

You've clearly not lost your faith in co.uk domains.

We will soon all know if that faith in the Uk namespace is misplaced. (i.e. .uk)

I did not even check this time if any .org.uk domains were registered with that string to find if my new domain would quality for .uk.

Although I did not feel I had any 'amazing premium' domains, I believe I have enough quality in the list to make the registrations worth while,
but only time will tell, however it is nice to get opinions from others who have domains themselves to find out what they think!

 

[Stephen]

Day to day retired

What is your day job

Day to day retired from being a Chartered Accountant at 50 but dabble in consultancy and overseeing several Travel companies that I founded 25 years ago.

Domains are a hobby that I enjoy but I never have had great success at it, in money terms.

 

[Retired_Member39]

I have to say i think I'm in a similar position to you Stephen. I have enjoyed domains and it has been abit of a hobby for me, but the enjoyment is starting to wain abit and I'm starting to think is it really worth it.

Even making £100 a week from domains seems like a stretch at the moment. I dont mean to sound negative just facing reality, the .uk domain market is in a poor state, plus you have many people chasing a decreasing number of good domains and then your trying to compete against those with better scripts/large financial resources.

I'm pleased of what i have achieved with domains in a short time, but im trying to figure out if this is all starting becoming an unnecessary distraction for me getting a decent day job.

 

[Nigel]

There's some nice domains in there (probably about 25% of that list I'd have definitely registered a year ago) - as they would have sold quite easily pre October 2012. But there aren't many offers coming in on the nice - but not premium - domains so you might wait a while til any offers come in. I expect that there will be an upturn in the new year - but depends on nominet - they've killed the uk domain market - there's not a lot of confidence in .co.uk at the moment - and its clear that .com market is reaping the benefit.

I wouldn't spend all your time on domains until the uk market re-establishes itself. A couple of years ago the .co.uk domain was definitely the preferred option for most uk businesses but today that has, in my opinion, shifted to .com because of nominet's incompetence, poorly managed consultations, and ill thought out proposals. Instead of facing up to the new gtlds with a campaign showing the clear benefits of the existing system i.e. extremely low pricing (much lower than .coms or the new gtlds), clearly defined sectors of .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .ac.uk, and over a decade of increased consumer awareness and trust, they pressed the nuclear button and destroyed all credibility in .co.uk domains. My fear is that they will make further poor decisions, leaving us in limbo and paralysing the uk domain market for a longer period. So if I was a Chartered Accountant I'd have probably looked for employment opportunities many months ago - as I'm sure you must have earned great money in that profession - domains could have been put on the back burner until things became clearer. Anyway news can't be far away now - and maybe the uk domain market will re-establish itself. Otherwise we'll be looking for other business opportunities, including looking at the .com space again.

 

[Paullas]

There's some nice domains in there (probably about 25% of that list I'd have definitely registered a year ago) - as they would have sold quite easily pre October 2012. But there aren't many offers coming in on the nice - but not premium - domains so you might wait a while til any offers come in. I expect that there will be an upturn in the new year - but depends on nominet - they've killed the uk domain market - there's not a lot of confidence in .co.uk at the moment - and its clear that .com market is reaping the benefit.

I wouldn't spend all your time on domains until the uk market re-establishes itself. A couple of years ago the .co.uk domain was definitely the preferred option for most uk businesses but today that has, in my opinion, shifted to .com because of nominet's incompetence, poorly managed consultations, and ill thought out proposals. Instead of facing up to the new gtlds with a campaign showing the clear benefits of the existing system i.e. extremely low pricing (much lower than .coms or the new gtlds), clearly defined sectors of .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .ac.uk, and over a decade of increased consumer awareness and trust, they pressed the nuclear button and destroyed all credibility in .co.uk domains. My fear is that they will make further poor decisions, leaving us in limbo and paralysing the uk domain market for a longer period. So if I was a Chartered Accountant I'd have probably looked for employment opportunities many months ago - as I'm sure you must have earned great money in that profession - domains could have been put on the back burner until things became clearer. Anyway news can't be far away now - and maybe the uk domain market will re-establish itself. Otherwise we'll be looking for other business opportunities, including looking at the .com space again.

Couldnt have put it better myself. Nominet have looked for the panic button and it has backfired (IMHO).

 

[Stephen]

decline in demand from buyers for .co.uk

....I wouldn't spend all your time on domains until the uk market re-establishes itself.... .

Thanks for all your comments, appreciated.

Agree about decline in demand from buyers for .co.uk as I was selling to end users but often through agencies and web designers and such like.

I think it is those intermediaries that recommend domains to their clients (about 40%) and domainers/developers
that directly bought about 25% of my domains that are simply not suggested or requiring .co.uk in the same volume.

The good thing about domains for me is, you can leave them a alone for years, pay a renewal and come back to the project later,
so domaining is not fulltime for me, it's in and out.
Unless its Nominet .uk consultation time when I do almost go fulltime for a few months!

 

[Brassneck]

I also think all the Google changes (regarding EMDs and black and white animals) have been really unhelpful making it even less attractive to hold some keyword domains which might have been worth a punt in the past.

Has anybody got any up to date stats on the number of Nominet names registered? The last figures I could find were from earlier in the year - would be interested in the see if the Register has begun to contract in any significant way.

Stephen.

 

[Stephen]

Some numbers

....Has anybody got any up to date stats on the number of Nominet names registered? The last figures I could find were from earlier in the year - would be interested in the see if the Register has begun to contract in any significant way.
Stephen.

I look at the end of the Board minutes when published for numbers.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/sites/default/files/Sept2013communique.pdf

For September:

The number of new registrations in August 2013 was 151,414 (Aug 2012 147,633.) The average renewal rate for the past 12 months (to May 2013) was 66.5%. The total number of names on the register as at 31 August was 10,574,652 and the net growth of the register for the last 12 months was 3.6%.

In recent emails about renewals it states "15% of cancelled domain names are actually re-registered by someone else within just 24 hours"

On average 10.5million / by 24 months expire = 430,000 expiring
Don't renew 100% -66.5% renewal rate = 33.5%
number domains not renewing 430,000 x 33.5% = 144,000
15% renew straight away 144,000 x 15% = 21,000
number of new registrations total (above) = 151,414
number of new registrations excluding 24 re-renewals - 151,000 - 21,000 = 130,000

Don't know how many of them have ever been registered with that string before

Don't know how many of those are registered by existing registrants

Don't know how many of those new domains are registered by NEW UK Registrants

Number in June minutes was 30/04/2013 10,492,669 so growth was 81,893 to 10,574,652 over 4 months.
0.71% growth rate.....over 4 months

 

[Stephen]

UK Domains slow down!

If you look back at October 2012 minutes

http://www.nominet.org.uk/sites/default/files/Oct2012communique.pdf

The total number of names on the register as at 30 September 2012 was 10,243,649 and the net growth of the register for the last 12 months was 5.6%.

If you take the growth figure above for September 2013 of 3.29% (supplied by Edwin on a Nominet forum post)

Take the 2012 number of 10,243,649 and add 3.29% and you get 10,580,665 as at 30th September 2013.

Compare that to August 2013 domains of 10,574,652

You get a month on month increase of 6,013 or 0.0568%.

 

[Edwin]

Also worth noting (not for you, Stephen - I saw your background is in accountancy!) that growth rates expressed in % terms will naturally fall as the starting numbers get bigger, even if the growth in unit terms stays constant.

For example:
100 to 200: 100% growth (but 100 added)
10,000 to 10,100: 1% growth (but 100 added)

 

[Stephen]

Targets a blessing or a Curse?

Company's often develop targets and can ensure adequate resources or product are provided to ensure target it is met.

Some might be interested in Nominet's target (new gTLD's were known about at the time the target was set) from a Press Release in April 2012. When there were over 10,000,000 UK domains registered.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/press-releases/nominet-targets-offline-businesses-uk-brand-push

The campaign, called ‘A great place to be’ emphasises the benefits of having a .co.uk, .org.uk or .me.uk domain name for businesses, organisations or individuals in establishing a UK-centric, trusted internet presence.
......
The campaign is targeted with increasing the annual growth rate of the .uk register - currently at 9.3%.

 

[Skinner]

Kinda reminds me of the line in Ironman quote about the stock market...

Nominet! I've got one recommendation! Ready? Ready? Sell, sell, sell! Abandon ship! Does the Hindenburg ring any bells?

Really is circling the drain.

 

[julian]

In my honest opinion I think your over thinking it. Many of your domains don't hit the spot or if they do require some form of dev. Domainers are lazy gits and you can't be arsed to dev the rest because they not worth the effort. Also, many of your domains I believe I could get close to for reg fee that would be good enough for what I need. If I was you I'd just take it on the chin and start dumping the tat (like I've been doing) .

Your obviously a reasonably clever chap if you really are a qualified chartered accountant - so why grovel about in this pitiful bitchy little domain world when you could make some decent money charging 1k to submit a pleb like yours truly's tax return, for about an 1hrs work?

 

[Alien]

FWIW I wouldn't have reg'd any of those. No offence intended as always.

I don't make my living from domains, but take my hat off to those who manage it in this climate.