Have I been wasting time with expired domains?

[screwdriver]

So a few months ago, I started just looking around the expired/expiring domain name lists and started to see a few names I wanted.

Well one thing lead to another and before I knew it, I had spent a few hundred dollars on picking up expired domains at reg price, such as -- , etc.

My question now here is, should I be discouraged if I do not sell these in the first year of registration? Maybe the answer to this question is more clear to some of the old school domainers that a few of us newbies can learn from.

To put it in other words, should someone who believes that their domain is worth more than the reg fee continue to own the domain or at what point do they realize that they should quit renewing the domain?

[james2002]

I am not well experienced domainer. My view is if you can get some nice expiring domains, they will be worth more than reg fees.

[thevirtual]

You should look at domains as an investment, if you do not expect to make a return on the investment you should not invest in renewing the domain, unless it has obvious value or significance.

If you are not sure if the domain is worth renewing maybe you can post it for appraisal.

[biggedon]

So a few months ago, I started just looking around the expired/expiring domain name lists and started to see a few names I wanted.

Well one thing lead to another and before I knew it, I had spent a few hundred dollars on picking up expired domains at reg price, such as -- , etc.

My question now here is, should I be discouraged if I do not sell these in the first year of registration? Maybe the answer to this question is more clear to some of the old school domainers that a few of us newbies can learn from.

To put it in other words, should someone who believes that their domain is worth more than the reg fee continue to own the domain or at what point do they realize that they should quit renewing the domain?

hi

please do not post your domains in this section, it's for General discussion, not about your specific domains.


to answer your question, i have sold 3 names in the last month that i held for at least 2 or more years.

you may have to hold domains for a few years before an acceptable offer comes thru.

[szury]

I have just bought a domain from biggedon which was registered years ago

[Poker]

Bottom line is that you really believe the domain has value. If you do, keep renewing. I have had names that didn't receive any traffic or interest for up to 7 years, then sold for 5 figures.

The opposite is true as well. If you don't believe a name has value, cut it loose.

[dcristo]

If you can't sell it develop it. You should only be buying domains which have development potential.

[thevirtual]

If you can't sell it develop it. You should only be buying domains which have development potential.

I disagree. Reselling domains is different than developing websites.

Development can be time consuming and costly. You should only develop domains if you are willing to put in the effort to finish the project and to promote the site properly in order to gain revenue.

[Raider]

to answer your question, i have sold 3 names in the last month that i held for at least 2 or more years.

you may have to hold domains for a few years before an acceptable offer comes thru.

Exactly... You need to be in it for the long term, I had about 6 domains I thought were worthless and after years of holding onto them, I was going to let them drop, and not once did I receive an inquiry, But a buyer came along right before expiration and I was able to sell them, For a good amount too.

You just never know.

[domaingenius]

I read the below quote today that although about Real Estate is very
relevant to domains in todays market place;

"Despite the recession in the realty sector, properties in good locations will survive."

Now twist that and apply it to domains. What it means is forget all
the crap domains and tld's and concentrate of small and beautiful portfolio.
Long gone are days of anything but prime .com domains.

DG

[dcristo]

I disagree. Reselling domains is different than developing websites.

Development can be time consuming and costly. You should only develop domains if you are willing to put in the effort to finish the project and to promote the site properly in order to gain revenue.

Disregarding brandable domains which are hit and miss, why would you invest in a domain which doesn't have development potential? Why would an enduser want a domain with no purpose for development? If you know what your doing development will increase the value of the domain. That is a guarantee!

[katherine]

As said above:

You need to be in it for the long term

100% agree.

You should only be buying domains which have development potential.

My suggestion is to purchase domains in industries that you are familiar with - if they won't sell you can use them to your benefit. In the beginning we often make mistakes and register too many average/crap domains. As you get more experienced you will get more picky and you'll drop fewer and fewer domains...
It often takes 2 or 3 years before you get a first offer on a domain... be prepared to renew.

[britishbulldog]

I am not well experienced domainer. My view is if you can get some nice expiring domains, they will be worth more than reg fees.

Gee some of the domains you've got for sale i thought you were,you must be some rich with nothing better else to do ;-)

I read the below quote today that although about Real Estate is very
relevant to domains in todays market place;

"Despite the recession in the realty sector, properties in good locations will survive."

Now twist that and apply it to domains. What it means is forget all
the crap domains and tld's and concentrate of small and beautiful portfolio.
Long gone are days of anything but prime .com domains.

DG

Spot on DG......small but quality rather than loads of crap

[brianluedke]

It's been over a year but I think nothing has changed.

I've put my domains to this test, "Would it really hurt me in terms of deep regret if I let this one go?"

I have made a few great acquisitions this year, additions to my collection of African GeoNames from expiring domains. I'm talking about CityName.com, StateName.com, and even a CountryName.org -- single word domains, too.

Recession is the time smart people get greedy, and dumb people get scared. Save your money for the real quality domains and let the crap go.

[Vincent]

Eye awakening post.
What someone saying that quality over quantity is making me realize.
Luck is the thing as well, from my short experience. I have one domain I reg that was 2 wk expired. I didn't want to renew. Then, some stranger offered me 100 for it. Sold, I said immediately. The guy asked for my pay pal acct. The next day 100 landed in my paypal account. I renewed the domain and transferred the domain.

[bgmv]

Everyone has their niche - some people are great at finding gems among expired domains, some are great with auctions, some hunt the forums (and some do all). regardless as to what your M.O is just keep at it and dont give up. you will make mistakes, you will register crap domains that you wish you never had but thats part of the game. as others have detailed, i too was going to let a domain expire this december but I just received a X,XXX EUR offer on it after holding for 2 years, about the time I just got into domaining. so just stay focused and patient and your investments will come to fruition.

[draggar]

I rarely do drops, 99% don't interest me but when some comes up that does interest me I go for it, while my numbers were small what I did pick up were (IMO) very good domains. Some even developed into good sites.

Yes, it is a good time for educated and wise people to get greedy in this industry.