The year is three quarters of the way finished, and I am excited about the fourth quarter starting. I think it’s going to be a good few months for many of us in the domain space. Here are some Sunday updates.
– With the fourth quarter now here, I bet we’re going to see some nice domain sales reported during the next several weeks. Companies want to use up their entire marketing budgets over the next several weeks to ensure they receive the same or more funds in their 2012 budgets, and a domain purchase is a smart way to spend marketing dollars.
– A few people asked me why I am not attending the GeoPublishers Expo in Chicago this weekend, and there are a few reasons. First, I would have had to fly out on the second day of Rosh Hashana to make the opening party, and I didn’t want to do that. Second, and most importantly, I am taking a “working vacation” in Portland this week and didn’t want to miss that. Finally, Fred Mercaldo’s team actively works on Burbank.com for me, and Lowell.com is basically on cruise control.
– I am still a proponent of city .com domain names, and I don’t regret turning down a $113,000 offer for Burbank.com (from a domain investor who bought another domain name of mine). The business model for a city .com website is more hands on than I anticipated when I started out, and I do think there is still quite a bit of money to be made in this sector. I would bet the Geo Expo attendees will come away from the conference excited, with some great ideas on monetization. I hope some of that knowledge trickles down to me.
– I think the happiest guy in the domain space right now is DomainTools CEO, Tim Chen. Not only does his company continue to grow, but his Buffalo Bills are off to a surprising 3-0 record. I am a Patriots fan, and yes, this is a feeble attempt to jinx the Bills.
– Business Insider posted an article about The 50 Most Jaw-Dropping Luxury Purchases In The Past Year. The Sex.com sale for $13 million was listed at #35. (Thanks to Kevin for the link).
– According to an email from Rick Schwartz, there aren’t many conference passes for TRAFFIC remaining for sale. If you want to buy one, you should probably get on that ASAP.
– In another strong “brandable” domain sale, Mike Mann sold ComeSee.com for $20,000.
– I bought my first fully operational website in September and re-launched it: DogPark.com. There are over 600 dog parks listed, and with some major changes to the ad placement from the original site, revenue is already 3x what it was before I bought it. I am also sending traffic to DogWalker.com, which is an added bonus.
“I don’t regret turning down a $113,000 offer for Burbank.com”
Smart move!
@ Tia
I hope so 🙂
Do You do all your sites on WordPress?
@ John
No, but it makes it easier for me. TropicalBirds.com and SlipperyElm.com are not on WordPress…. neither is Burbank.com.
All my sites that use the design I had created use WordPress, as does Lowell.com and this blog.
113,000 was far too less IMO.
@Elliot
which wordpress theme did you used bulding dogwalker.com ?
I am thinking about building directory and looking for a good wordpress theme and I noticed you have very good taste.
@ Adam
I had this custom designed for me based on elements I found on many different sites. The design has evolved for me over the past couple of years.
I am not at all interested in selling or licensing the theme.
Off topic… Shipyard Pumpkinhead beer is delicious.
Bills lose… +1 for me.
It worked 🙂
Nice tip about advertising budgets. I’m going to return to emailing end users about domains I’m selling since it’s had good results in the past. Big congratulations in buying dogpark.com since it will be very complimentary for your dog walkers site and sounds like you’ve already done well with revenue.
Has any one know good wordpress directory theme ?
I would be very grateful
@ Adam
WooThemes.com
Templatic
ThemeForest.net
Hey Elliot, great job with DogPark.com
Did you acquire it via a marketplace for websites or was it a private sale? Also, if you don’t mind, what metrics do you use when buying fully functional websites?
@ AB
Thanks… bought it in private. The primary metric I used was gut instinct, but I was told the approximate traffic and revenue numbers.