Selling domains cheap and expensive

[r0b]

I have a couple of questions, since I'm learning at domaining.

How do some people manage to sell simple domains at such high prices through godaddy/sedo (..etc), when their domains don't have any traffic and sometimes even don't make sense.

Why do people with such great domains, like on acorn, sell their domains for much less then the crappy ones posted on those sites mentioned earlier?

I've read something about selling and reselling but it's not completely clear to me yet.

 

[Bailey]

Putting Pure traffic domains aside for this

I would say it's a case of knowing when opportunity knocks or is likely to knock. Understanding the fundamentals of each type of market (they are very different) helps.

Having an intrinsic understanding of what each market sector is probably looking for and trying to make sure that your domain offers the widest appeal within that sector. Having just one likely outlet is a recipe for disaster

There are many facets to marketing that really aren't that obvious to the untrained. Which is why you quite often see domains listed that really could never appeal to that particular market segment.

I consider myself very lucky in having attended a total of around 8 -9 years in further education since leaving school. 2 years computing in the eighties - just as the net was gaining momentum around a further 5 years studying business, marketing and Law. I can't begin to tell you just how often my mind works in what I'd call "recall mode" and you really have to see domains from a "minds-eye" or "at work" in the real world. - Not from your own beliefs - but those of a marketing department.

As far as selling goes you also need to have the negotiation skill set - there is nothing worse than being in the position of "having to make a sale" really is the most uncomfortable time for a seller - when all your skill set is abandoned for the "fast result" hence the often low prices seen at the reseller level.

I always try to encourage individuals to play to their own skill-set or experience - And if you honestly believe you may not have the background - then either get one or don't try to play in the market of domains. Unlesss you have money to burn.

 

[doodlebug]

Excellent wording Bailey

As a newbie it could be worth choosing a particular market eg medical domains and concentrating on that or maybe an area which you are already familiar with ?

Good luck 8)

 

[Bailey]

Thanks Doodlebug, it's sometimes difficult to convey without sounding too "Woolly". and i'm glad domaining isn't as easy as it sometimes looks from the outside. It's akin to painting - we all would like to be good painters, because we can all recognise a great painting. But you really do need to understand your brushes, strokes, lighting etc for each scene you set.

Ps I worked as a Chef in my early years (College trained) and that wasn't a bad background to understand even simple presentations/creativity/combinations etc. trouble is we are all arseholes at some of the most basic life skills or so it seems to me at times.

Pain for the Gain

 

[r0b]

Putting Pure traffic domains aside for this

I would say it's a case of knowing when opportunity knocks or is likely to knock. Understanding the fundamentals of each type of market (they are very different) helps.

Having an intrinsic understanding of what each market sector is probably looking for and trying to make sure that your domain offers the widest appeal within that sector. Having just one likely outlet is a recipe for disaster

There are many facets to marketing that really aren't that obvious to the untrained. Which is why you quite often see domains listed that really could never appeal to that particular market segment.

I consider myself very lucky in having attended a total of around 8 -9 years in further education since leaving school. 2 years computing in the eighties - just as the net was gaining momentum around a further 5 years studying business, marketing and Law. I can't begin to tell you just how often my mind works in what I'd call "recall mode" and you really have to see domains from a "minds-eye" or "at work" in the real world. - Not from your own beliefs - but those of a marketing department.

As far as selling goes you also need to have the negotiation skill set - there is nothing worse than being in the position of "having to make a sale" really is the most uncomfortable time for a seller - when all your skill set is abandoned for the "fast result" hence the often low prices seen at the reseller level.

I always try to encourage individuals to play to their own skill-set or experience - And if you honestly believe you may not have the background - then either get one or don't try to play in the market of domains. Unlesss you have money to burn.

This answers my questions perfectly, thank you for having the time to explain in a way you knew I'd understand. (a newbie to domaining)

There are some things at life you can't teach yourself or anywhere but from a simple post like yours Bailey.

When you said:

As far as selling goes you also need to have the negotiation skill set - there is nothing worse than being in the position of "having to make a sale" really is the most uncomfortable time for a seller - when all your skill set is abandoned for the "fast result" hence the often low prices seen at the reseller level.

I kind of saw a little bit of me in the past, not specifically about domains but things such as designing, programming.

Once I got around to it the right way, I had a popular website (still own it), with a pagerank of 5, that gets great traffic.

When I get the exciting feeling when I do something, it means I have a future in it and I'll continue doing it.

And if I fail 100's of times, its not really failing - I've just found ways that don't work.

Thanks again Bailey.

 

[websaway]

I have a couple of questions, since I'm learning at domaining.

How do some people manage to sell simple domains at such high prices through godaddy/sedo (..etc), when their domains don't have any traffic and sometimes even don't make sense.

Why do people with such great domains, like on acorn, sell their domains for much less then the crappy ones posted on those sites mentioned earlier?

I've read something about selling and reselling but it's not completely clear to me yet.

You say "crappy one's posted on those sites" could your confusion stem from the fact that theres a big difference between posting and selling a domain ?

 

[r0b]

You say "crappy one's posted on those sites" could your confusion stem from the fact that theres a big difference between posting and selling a domain ?

Let me correct that.

Crappy one's being sold on those sites.

.
Guess I'll reread my posting before posting it at 4am.

Thanks for the correction websaway.

 

[websaway]

Let me correct that.

.
Guess I'll reread my posting before posting it at 4am.

Thanks for the correction websaway.

So therefore it comes down to the subjective argument of what are good and what are "crappy" domain names. I liken this to me going to an art gallery and simply not understanding what puts value on works of art, I can guess and I can have my opinion but it's the buyer and seller who dictate the value. Something that is "crappy" to me may not be to someone else, I can only deduce therefore that they know more than me about what they do.

 

[r0b]

So therefore it comes down to the subjective argument of what are good and what are "crappy" domain names. I liken this to me going to an art gallery and simply not understanding what puts value on works of art, I can guess and I can have my opinion but it's the buyer and seller who dictate the value. Something that is "crappy" to me may not be to someone else, I can only deduce therefore that they know more than me about what they do.

I completely agree, what someone would rate as crappy, to others its worth millions, thanks for the great input.

Very well put.

 

[wb]

Whilst I agree with websaway on values being subjective, there are definitely plenty of 'brandable' .com domains which do seem to have sold for ridiculous amounts.

Much of the time it will be down to being 'in the right place at the right time'. These are two completely random examples, but who would have thought something like iCloud.com would allegedly get sold for $4.5m, yet Dating.com only gets $1.75m? I know which one I would rather have for the money.

 

[doodlebug]

I'll go dating any day

$4.3M for icloud wtf !

Generics anyday thankyou 8)

 

[Bailey]

I'll go dating any day

$4.3M for icloud wtf !

Generics anyday thankyou 8)

Lots of money sloshing around just for an angle. However, Cloud computing/systems would be where my money would also go today.

Those ol'mainframe days are back with us with a vengeance

 

[Edwin]

iCloud.com is an "outlier", a special case that combines...
A) The .com extension
B) Apple's "i" theme
C) One of the hottest trends in hosting/web software: clouds

 

[wb]

The iCloud.com value is only that high from Apple wanting to use it though, as they have the budget to afford it. Stating the obvious there, but spelling it out may provide assistance to the thread starter to understand things more.

When looking at the domain on it's own merits (i.e. if Apple hadn't built up their 'i' brand so much) I would be very surprised to see it sell for anywhere near that amount. It is for reasons like this that you will see some domains which look low quality yet sell for ridiculously high amounts.

 

[Bailey]

Of course It's data speed/capacity technology that has squared this particular circle.

- and yep i would have probably held out for more

 

[r0b]

Whilst I agree with websaway on values being subjective, there are definitely plenty of 'brandable' .com domains which do seem to have sold for ridiculous amounts.

Much of the time it will be down to being 'in the right place at the right time'. These are two completely random examples, but who would have thought something like iCloud.com would allegedly get sold for $4.5m, yet Dating.com only gets $1.75m? I know which one I would rather have for the money.

Exactly my point of question, how does this even happen and why?

iCloud.com is an "outlier", a special case that combines...
A) The .com extension
B) Apple's "i" theme
C) One of the hottest trends in hosting/web software: clouds

Someone has to really realize the potential for that kind of money.


Thanks for answering my questions with a explanation I perfectly understand.

Some wild money goes through these domains.

 

[wb]

Someone has to really realize the potential for that kind of money.

...

When looking at the domain on it's own merits (i.e. if Apple hadn't built up their 'i' brand so much) I would be very surprised to see it sell for anywhere near that amount. It is for reasons like this that you will see some domains which look low quality yet sell for ridiculously high amounts.

 

[aZooZa]

Apple already have the 'cloud' covered with iDisk. I don't expect them to be offering any remote services other than file storage. The 'i' holds just as well for an abbreviation for 'internet' so IMHO, there's no Apple factor, but the domain is a great one. We use Amazon's cloud services for DCE. Instant scalability is key to our business. Gone are the days of physically rushing into Telehouse and adding a hard drive or RAM upgrade.

iCloud.com is a cracker and I reckon it's worth it's money.

 

[justwondering]

I'll go dating any day

$4.3M for icloud wtf !

Generics anyday thankyou 8)

you might as well get use to it , everything is going into the clouds.

 

[agnesj]

yes I am also very interested in this topic.lol I have seen far less more interesting and less traffic stat domain names sell on domainlore but I have posted over 10 heavily targeted domain names with less competition no joy and no sale. I am also new to domaining and already thinking of given up the uk market. I started 2 months ago but I have made $3000 on .de domain sales and 0 pounds on uk domain names. not even 5 quid.lol I even managed to sell a .so domain name for 190 dollars last Wednesday. any tips on which uk markets to target?