Where are your main online earnings now from

[cc976a]

Would be interesting to understand how - or if - people changed their business models in light of dropping domain sales, and increased difficulties trying to rank new affiliate sites as a result of Google (EMDs etc...) and moved away from domain name / affiliate commissions and developed their own product / services

Are your main revenues coming from:

a. Domain names sales;
b. Affiliate Sales;
c. Your own product / service you sell or market online;

 

[Aiden Roberts]

I was pretty fortunate as I didn't have a business model, I was playing at domain sales and affiliate marketing. I arrived on the scene around the time of Google's attack on EMD's and Nom's .uk plans so my fledgling business died before it started.

From my perspective seasoned domainers and affiliates discussed and debated the changes to their business in public, this was an excellent education for me and led me down the path I now follow. Sort of learning by others mistakes.......

I can't remember who or how many on here advocated building something useful but it was excellent advice. Once you get past the "quick buck" mentality and start building something useful Google, EMD's, Panda ...blah blah blah become irrelevant and you can focus on building a business you can control regardless of outside forces.

Going forward, building an authority site which is useful, unique and Google proof is the key. No half arsed attempts, no cutting corners when your project is working and part of the public psyche you can use targeted affiliate programs, your own products or a whole host of other income generating models but you decide not G.

In relation to domaining, it will always be a hobby for me as I genuinely feel it's not an option for newbies unless they have very deep pockets. I've tried to find the opportunity in .uk proposals and frankly I just couldnt be arsed with it, better spending my time doing something I can control like building an authority site as above.

Regards
Rob

 

[RobMRobM is verified member.]

I made money from parking and selling the parked domains 10 years ago. Now I only see money in development and providing services. Buying to speculate/park in my opinion is a dying part of the industry as it changes.

 

[websaway]

I made money from parking and selling the parked domains 10 years ago. Now I only see money in development and providing services. Buying to speculate/park in my opinion is a dying part of the industry as it changes.

And so around it goes.
This is the best time for 10 years to buy domains in the secondary market.
Most people jump on the bandwagon at the top of the cycle and then reject opportunity when the bandwagon comes to a halt. That really is human nature and then of course the ones who can see opportunity are looked on as lucky when the bandwagon gets moving again.
some great deals to be had for those that can sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

[RobMRobM is verified member.]

Buying to speculate or buying to develop/earn?

 

[cc976a]

Buying to speculate or buying to develop/earn?

+1

Can only see buy to develop as any potential opportunity - some business models cycle, others just become a memory.

 

[scottmccloud]

I think the phrase 'Don't dig for gold, sell the shovels' is very relevant these days.