How to Sell Your Portfolio in a Hurry: Exit Strategy for Domainers
How to sell your portfolio in a hurry.
A reader emailed me the other day asking if I’ve ever written regarding exit strategies for domainers. I don’t think I have, but it’s a good idea. So here it goes.
The problem with exiting the domain industry.
Most domain names aren’t very liquid. They can be sold quickly but not at full market value.
A good portfolio of non-traffic generics turns over regarding 2% to 3% a year without pushing the sales out. You can achieve this by listing on Afternic DLS Premium or Go Daddy Premium.
At 2% to 3% that means 33 to 50 years to turnover your entire portfolio. That’s not really realistic since the 2%-3% a year is on a smaller base each year. But the point is it would take a long time to realize full market value.
How to sell a lot of domains quickly.
If you want to exit the domain name industry in a hurry you’re going to have to mark down your domains. You’re not going to get top dollar. But here’s what I would do if I wanted to liquidate my portfolio.
1. Sell traffic domains to a traffic domain buyer. Although firms like iREIT are long gone, Oversee.net and similar firms are still buying traffic portfolios.
2. Submit inventory to auctions and domain sales newsletters. This is a quick push method to get lots of attention for your domains. Consider Moniker’s auctions, TRAFFIC, Great Domains, and TobyClements.com. They won’t take your crap, but you can move some of your good domains at reasonable prices.
3. Do a personal Sedo auction. The marketplace runs auctions for an individual’s inventory. But they won’t want a list of junk domains.
4. List your domains on forums such as DNForum and NamePros. Price the domains and make them reasonable.
5. Send your list to Afternic. They’re still buying generic domain names that don’t get traffic. Keeping in mind its business model, don’t expect them to pay you much. Think of them as someone who buys the assets of a defunct firm at a discount. They’ll make an offer and close the deal quickly.
6. Try NameJet. The firm lists private portfolios on set timelines.
Any other thoughts on how to liquidate a domain name portfolio in a hurried manner?
