Is down, but not dead — Domain parking

Survey shows domain parking is still a key to the domain business, even if much smaller than ahead of.

Rook Media’s buyout of DomainSponsor proves that the domain name parking market is still alive and kicking. Just not like it was many years ago.

Despite pessimism and declining earnings, domain parking still makes up a big part of the domain investing market.

39% of survey takers noted an RPM (revenue per thousand) below $10, with 56% reporting below $20. Interestingly, these numbers on the low side are almost exactly the same as when I ran this survey for the first time in 2006.

An interesting tidbit from that 2006 survey: 65% of respondents thought they’d earn more from parking in the next five years than from selling domains. I bet that has changed now.

Although more noted sinking revenues than growing revenues this year, nearly half stated it was unchanged from 2012. 10% noted a drop of 50% or more.

Still, domain investors are not optimistic regarding future earnings. Half think parking revenue will be lower in 2014 than 2013 while 19% think it will be higher.

63% of respondents are considering trying a fresh parking firm in 2014.