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Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

deepsouthventures.com

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Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#51

Post by stevekemp »

benmcnelly wrote: post #4

This is rubbish. I am (was) a serial domain buyer. Now, I guess its somewhat true that buying a domain to go with your idea can really inspire you, I have a lot of domains I let expire or still hold on to because I haven't yet or never did anything with them. I don't think its a good idea.

I'm the same, I've had domains for years that I've never gotten round to using, and others that I've eventually let lapse.

In all the time I've had a bunch of domains there's only been interest in one of them `spare.io`, for which I've had multiple unsolicated offers.

(That despite the fact I have two forename-based domains.)

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#53

Post by settsu »

I've been casually interested in small time domain name "investing" (with and without intention to develop) since the early days and when it so happened that during a stint at GoDaddy, I was charged with the UX of the domain auction product, imagine my surprise to discover were a handful of very big players, some of whom ran bespoke software (not unlike a Bloomberg terminal) and were so profitable for the company that they essentially had their own in-house concierge.

That certainly dampened my enthusiasm when I realized it had long since become more like commercial real estate investment than the American West land rush.

Similarly illuminating was working at a regional bank and learning how much of their growth was based on investing in a patch of dirt as it was in the operation of the branch location that sat on that dirt.

Made me realize how uninformed I was about business in general.

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#54

Post by intrasight »

eightturn wrote: post #37
intrasight wrote: post #28

I agree that if you think of a good domain name and it is available, then you should buy it. It's a very cheap investment. But be sure to write a super brief business plan explaining what this is for. You might forget by next year. Even if you don't end up using it, you may be pleasantly surprised (as has happened to me) that in a few years someone offers you ten or twenty thousand for it. I do not agree with the "ju…

Just to be clear, this isn't an seo play.. this is a 'build a side business' play.. And no, you're right, you don't 'just' buy the domain. I'm sorta suggesting that the domain be the inspiration for the business you create.. Maybe I shoulda said 'Start with a Great Domain name'.. Your grit and hustle will determine the success of your business, not a domain. If you have a great name, though, success is a little more…

A great domain name can be a great personal motivator too.

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#56

Post by eightturn »

mikejarema wrote: post #42

> I’m talking about viewing domain names as an asset Another way to read this, which the author indirectly touches on in his listing of expired domain auction results, is the $$$ value of the domain itself. It's kind of insurance for the situation where your side project/business either fails to materialize or goes nowhere. A solid domain should at least retain its value so you can view the perceived authority/trust…

spot on Mike..

If your domain idea fizzles, there is still value in the domain name itself..

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#57

Post by audleman »

vtlynch wrote: post #3

>I immediately gravitate towards the keyword descriptive dotCOM. It instantly exudes trust & authority Strongly disagree. As a result of this type of thinking, I find that the majority of "keyword descriptive dotCOM" domains are usually click-bait or shady content marketing. Sites like "VacuumReviews.com" are almost always full of content focused on SEO not quality, and questionable financial motivations. But I guess…

Agreed. Descriptive.dot.com domain names are the equivalent of generic cereal boxes. I want to go to Amazon for my books, not books.com.

I will never go to food.com, or glutenfree.com, or anything of the like. Amy's Kitchen on the other hand sounds compelling.

I trust my pets with rover.com, but dogsitting.com? No way.

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#58

Post by vinceguidry »

audleman wrote: post #57
vtlynch wrote: post #3

>I immediately gravitate towards the keyword descriptive dotCOM. It instantly exudes trust & authority Strongly disagree. As a result of this type of thinking, I find that the majority of "keyword descriptive dotCOM" domains are usually click-bait or shady content marketing. Sites like "VacuumReviews.com" are almost always full of content focused on SEO not quality, and questionable financial motivations. But I guess…

Agreed. Descriptive.dot.com domain names are the equivalent of generic cereal boxes. I want to go to Amazon for my books, not books.com. I will never go to food.com, or glutenfree.com, or anything of the like. Amy's Kitchen on the other hand sounds compelling. I trust my pets with rover.com, but dogsitting.com? No way.

You're putting the cart before the horse. Going by domain name is the equivalent of planting your business on the side of the highway. You're going to get a ton of traffic just based on walk-ins alone.

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#59

Post by mezod »

eightturn wrote: post #13
hrayr wrote: post #8

I sometimes buy domain names on my phone, late at night, in my bed. Usually after hours of laying in bed building out a business in my mind and iterating over and over to see where it leads. Buying the domain name seems to be the last step in the processes, it helps me sleep. I look at the list of my domains every once in a while and pick ideas to work on, but sometimes I have no idea what drove me to buy them, like…

I do the opposite : ) I buy the domain, and then put myself to sleep skipping through biz avenues.. A fun tool to use for hand-reg domains (if you didn't know already) https://instantdomainsearch.com/

good trap tool for godaddy to get domains you are interested in

Re: Want to Build a Side Business? Just Buy Great Domain Name

#60

Post by [deleted] »

melvinmt wrote: post #41
chrishacken wrote: post #24

Not to burst your bubble but I'm convinced we're moving into an era where your domain name and TLD are becoming less and less relevant. Google and Social are all that matter. Had you asked me 4 years ago if I'd ever consider building a business on .io or .co I would have laughed in your face. Now I'm building products on both of them. FWIW, I used to buy/sell domains and I think it's a terrible investment strategy no…

In the context of YC, here's what pg thinks about domain names: "If you have a US startup called X and you don’t have x.com, you should probably change your name. The reason is not just that people can't find you. For companies with mobile apps, especially, having the right domain name is not as critical as it used to be for getting users. The problem with not having the .com of your name is that it signals weakness.…

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