Why I'm no longer buying domains...

[Edwin]

I've basically stopped buying domains on the secondary market as of a few months ago. I've realised that one more domain more or less makes no appreciable difference to the overall value of our portfolio (now at over 9,000 names across all extensions)

It used to take a considerable amount of time to track all the "domains for sale" posts whether here or on other venues since - as many have no doubt realised - there are usually just a tiny handful of "real gems" (if that) in most sales threads... So it's a case of being quickest on the trigger, and that in turn requires near-constant monitoring!

At the current pace we are selling domains they're "never" going to run out (catches replenish the portfolio faster than sales deplete it, although there's a healthy stream of each) so it just doesn't seem worth participating in the secondary market any more when that time could be better spent on other things.

What do you think? I'm curious if anyone's in the same boat, or has come to a similar conclusion...

 

[WaftyCrank]

You could on the other hand do what Rob has been doing and start a thread asking for people to sell their domains to you. Break it down asking for them to put the domain and price in the subject bar and set up a dedicated email account.

Let it be an ongoing thing and you can then quickly scan the domain and price and respond accordingly. Any you see as worth further discussion can be and those that are just trash ignore.

 

[rob]

I buy less now but 'better' quality.

I also try and stop the 'ooh, thats cheap BUY!' style purchases, however I still spent £5.5k in the last few weeks on two names that were hardly vital yet 'nice' for some point in the future on a possible project.

Out of interest, what is the renewal bill like over 2 years for 9,000 names?!

 

[rob]

You could on the other hand do what Rob has been doing and start a thread asking for people to sell their domains to you. Break it down asking for them to put the domain and price in the subject bar and set up a dedicated email account.

Let it be an ongoing thing and you can then quickly scan the domain and price and respond accordingly. Any you see as worth further discussion can be and those that are just trash ignore.

I have tried to give feedback (just spent 5 mins on an email doing just that oddly enough) where possible so its not just a trawl. People are and have been helpful to me for free so I try and do the same

I agree though it could be trimmed right back, however I am not sure if it would work long term likewise you just need to look at the likes of flippr to see the range of stuff for sale - prices and quality wise!

 

[Edwin]

I also try and stop the 'ooh, thats cheap BUY!' style purchases, however I still spent £5.5k in the last few weeks on two names that were hardly vital yet 'nice' for some point in the future on a possible project.

Yes, I used to buy too much based on "ooh, that's cheap" gut instinct. It's true, but being true isn't enough - buying names even at £xx or low £xxx really adds up very quickly. So the easiest solution was to just stop looking

Out of interest, what is the renewal bill like over 2 years for 9,000 names?!

Well, I find my eyes watering a lot recently...

 

[websaway]

9000 is a good portfolio and because you've got a strong nucleus of valuable aged domains you must be pleased with the results of your labours over the years.

Congratulations.

 

[RSK3000]

Well, my initial thoughts are............

1.) What better things you could do with your time. If its going to be more profitable, do that instead.
2.) Now might be a good time to buy as a lot of people are trimming their portfolios. That could change in the future.
3.) You have the quantity, but do you have the quality - I know you have some great names but is there an option to get rid of the weaker ones to concentrate on buying better quality domains?

 

[peacock]

I agree that there are very few real gems that come up, and to get them you just have to be in the right place at the right time - probably for a full timer like you there is a lot better things you could be doing with your time.

 

[Edwin]

Almost exactly 2 years ago, I picked a selection of 57 "good" domains to include in the brochure I handed out at Internet World. They weren't necessarily the best names in my portfolio, but they were a very strong, representative batch of commercial names.

Since then, just 6 of those 57 domains have sold, out of the 230-odd domains I sold during that same 2 year period... So I'm really not too worried about running out of "quality" names!

 

[julian]

So your saying in your sig 5k names for sale - so your keeping the other 4k back for a rainy day or are they for sale too?

Almost exactly 2 years ago, I picked a selection of 57 "good" domains to include in the brochure I handed out at Internet World. They weren't necessarily the best names in my portfolio, but they were a very strong, representative batch of commercial names.

Since then, just 6 of those 57 domains have sold, out of the 230-odd domains I sold during that same 2 year period... So I'm really not too worried about running out of "quality" names!

 

[Edwin]

So your saying in your sig 5k names for sale - so your keeping the other 4k back for a rainy day or are they for sale too?

Some are for sale, but not on Memorable Domains (they're not .co.uk). Others aren't for sale at the moment, but will be in the future (IDN, waiting for the right market).

 

[Pred]

Edwin, do you have scan of the brochre you handed out at the conferece on your site? or would you consider uploading a link to look at, something thought about doing for long time rather than just listing on my sales sites

 

[Edwin]

Edwin, do you have scan of the brochre you handed out at the conferece on your site? or would you consider uploading a link to look at, something thought about doing for long time rather than just listing on my sales sites

Here you go...
http://www.memorabledomains.co.uk/domlist/a3brochure.pdf

I'd appreciate anyone downloading this if you could use it as "inspiration" to get a few ideas rather than copying chunks of it verbatim! Thanks...

NOTE: because it's designed to be printed back-to-back on A3, it's laid out as P4 P1, P2 P3

Oh, and as a bonus, here's the 2008 brochure...
http://www.memorabledomains.co.uk/domlist/brochure-R4.pdf

 

[brum]

thanks edwin ,

i would like to add i have been buying lots of domains over the last 8, 9 months i understand the hastle of trying to get second hand domains , just don't have the time to sit waiting on acorn.

i still buy the odd few but what i am doing know is mainly getting people to send me lists of domains with prices on that are valid for 24hrs and i will buy them if i like any of them and the price is right .

i find this is the only way to leverage my time to be able to buy lots of domains.
i also have been catching for myself and guess this is something i will continue.

on another note met up with one of our SEO experts this guy has provided us with 1000's of leads for our buisinesses over the last couple of years and told me he got wacked quite a bit with the new google update , he lost his no 1 postion in lots of nieches sites have fallen to 3 on average .

he has many sites in many niches , some competitive some not but all had some effect
so it seems the google exact domain name update has had some effect but not a massive as effect as was feared.

he also said the google tool was a terrible predictor of actual search queries .

anyway hope all is well everyone just thought i would share.

ps if anyone does want to sent me lists please feel free , but please include prices
ta

 

[chrisduggan]

Majority of my domain names are bought on behalf of clients, I have a couple of hundred randoms, most I will let drop. Occasionally will catch something, rarely ever buy a domain unless its required. I need to sit down and develop a few, however i lack much needed inspiration at times.

 

[Pred]

thanks very much Edwin
Brummie, i'll see what i can rustle up for you

 

[theonemanyuri]

Brum - did your seo guy give an alternative to GKT?