I admit it, I looked around through many of the available domains in the newest gTLDs. I read the post on DomainInvesting where they were practically giving a Gatoraide bath to Aaron for pointing out that there were still single letter domains available in many of the TLDs. It was so exciting that the “We” of DomainGang jumped aboard the train and put out a 3 part series of the available single letter names in the hot .plumbing because I’m assuming that there was no way you could combine that much awesome info into one post. As I sat there and watched I thought to myself, “Am I missing out on something that is going to make me a lot of money?” “Should I try and get a few of these single letter domains in gTLDs that I have absolutely no interest in?”. And finally “If these are so good why are they still available?”
I kid about the above. The answers to these questions are personal. There is no right or wrong answer and will actually not be answered for many years to come. But the actions of this weekend remind me of the realities of what is upon us. There are going to be a lot of decisions for domain investors to make in the next few years. Most of us don’t have unlimited income. There is only so much money that can be put into our domains. There is only so much time in the day to do research. The releases this week are just a tip of the iceberg. There will be hundreds of more new gTLDs coming out that are going to offer the same opportunities so in my opinion, there is no reason to get all giddy over plumbing, lighting, and ventures. For most of us, the dollars that go into these new names will tie up cash that could have gone into domains that have better resale value in the near future. The new names will require patience and tying up of cash. I know everyone is saying they are just “dabbling” and adding a few names to their portfolio. I’m not sure if they’re buying because they actually like the names or they couldn’t stand to see others make big money in something they passed on. Regardless, I love the excitement going on. It’s nice to have some new blood mixed into the industry, even if it’s merely entertainment to me at this point in time.
Another thing to get ready for, is everyone to start forming gTLD teams. With all the names out there it is inevitable that people are going to pick their favorite endings and tout them. There is a going to be a lot of new Metal Tiger Hidden Dragons coming out of the woodwork once they have skin in the game or they have been paid to grow some skin. Fragerish shill for Schillings like the .tattoo and .horse posts from this weekend. But that’s business, that’s marketing. They key for an investor is to know the difference of a community starting to show some growing interest in a new gTLD or a just person that has a bigger voice.
I’ve said it in several other posts that I truly believe in the new endings. Not because I feel there will be a resale market for many years to come. But because it will offer people that want a new name availability. Not everyone can afford, nor cares, for a dot com. But I don’t pretend to even know where to spend my money to try and get a better payback than if I put it into another dot com or even a dot info. I bought a dot info last week and flipped it for 40 times what I paid for it in 5 days. The new gTLDs don’t offer that ability quite yet. I’m sure some will in some areas but again, I have a better chance of going to Domaining.com and finding no stories written by Raymond Hackney than I do of making a quick flip on the new domains.
So I’m going to continue to watch. Just like I did when I first joined our industry. I may buy a name here and there but I want to truly understand or focus on the niche or ending that I choose before I put in any sizable amount of money. Plumbing and equipment are just not areas I would be good at saying “these names are investments in your business that are worth paying thousands for” “this domain will give you the authority that makes you stand out versus your competitors”. And since I can’t convince myself of this, I am positive I can’t convince a buyer. But there will come a time. Until that time comes I will continue to concentrate on and put my money in the tlds that I can make money on. I will do what a good businessman alway does. I will wait for a new gTLD to pay me enough to fall in love with them.
There are many ways to answer your agonizing questions, Shane, so I’ll pick one at random.
I don’t necessarily think your daily NameJet NNNN .com lists that promote particular domains offer much to those that don’t bid on NameJet, but who am I to complain about what you can and cannot write about. Am I right?
In the same sense, if you find gTLD availability lists overwhelming, by all means don’t click on the link – or even block the feed on Domaining.com. My traffic arrives from Google, the same way Mike Berkens posts about detailed Sedo & Afternic sales, Andrew Allemann posts about UDRPs, and Elliot posts about everything else.
Long story short: do what you do best, let others do their own thing.
PS “We” is a journalistic term. I write all the articles, unless stated otherwise.
Acro,
You are 100% right. And I learned a new journalistic term.
As a side note, I’ve been creating specialty availability lists since 2004 but not religiously. I don’t plan to overwhelm you or others with a post for every gTLD, so don’t worry about it. 🙂 This is the beginning of a new era as far as domains & brands are concerned and many people are excited about it. Others, not so much. It’s irrelevant, change is here.
Regarding my personal investments, I’ve stayed in single digits for every gTLD I registered domains for, and I plan to keep it this way.
Acro
Why don’t h post your or share your google analytical for your traffic. I guarantee you 70 percent u get is from domaining. Com lol
N. 20 to 30 may be from google. You can brag all u want y get traffic from google but until you prove with google analytic or add Shane to your google analytic
Other than it’s just a noise
I gotta agree with Sukhjin. Acro make a lot of senseless noise. Bet he won’t make so much commotion when those gtld’s go down in flames. Shouldn’t take long but is annoying in the meantime.
Note to anonymous trolls: can’t demand anything. 😀
Sukhjin: Analytics are provided to advertisers. Trolls get no satisfaction.
Shawn: I guess you can show me what exactly is it that you do better. Links please. I won’t hold my breath though.
I felt very fortunate to grab x.ventures. I felt very unfortunate the next day when a trademark was approved for the term and they took it back from me.
So I grabbed two more .ventures that are great keywords in my opinion. I got a singular and plural of the same keyword. Not that anybody gives a shit.
Shane
Can you correct my last comment I meant to put @acro
But it ended up posting comment under acro, that should be Sukhjin
Sorry for the confusion and please correct that comment and approve if you like
Thanks shane
Sukhjin,
I have chosen to not post it. I had a little fun with Acro that was all. It wasn’t meant for yet another Acro bashing in the comments. I’ll do the bashing around here.
Am I the only one wondering what .info Shane flipped for 40X profit?
Shane, nice post.
I’ve names like o clothing, o memorial, etc. under dot com, I hope those who’re picking these new gTLDs with a single-letter may want to have a com version too.
@Garry Epperson
What exactly happened? Are you sure you had the domain and then it was grabbed from you?
x.ventures is now owned by Aaron Stron that is also a domainer with no trademark.
@Konstantinos,
I got confirmation from GoDaddy and they debited my account. I had to acknowledge that there was an applicant for a trademark. The next morning I received an email from GoDaddy saying they refunded my money and the name was withdrawn from my account.
I called in and they said that the trademark had been approved the same day I registered it and that’s the reason they took it back.
I appreciate the info on this and I will be calling GoDaddy as soon as I get finished typing this. Thanks again.