Makes sense to sell a domain name you actually use — When it
You might want more money, but there’s usually a price at which it makes sense.
Domainers typically sell domain names they aren’t using. They’re parked or have a minisite, but no real business.
But sometimes domain name owners are approached regarding selling a domain name they’re by now using.
I’m not talking regarding someone wanting to buy a web site you’ve created; instead someone wants to buy a domain name you’re using but the buyer wants to use it for something completely different.
I was reminded of this today upon hearing the news that Jamie Zoch (formerly blogged at DotWeekly) has changed the name of his expired domain auction site from Zearn.com to DropAlert.com.
Zoch changed the name since a yet-to-be-identified buyer wanted the Zearn.com domain name.
(Although he hasn’t disclosed it, I bet ten bucks the buyer is online education startup Zearn. It by now owns just regarding every other second level Zearn domain out there e.g. zearn.net, zearn.org.)
Changing the URL of an existing web site isn’t easy. But sometimes it makes sense if the money is right.
A few years ago I counseled a friend who was approached regarding a domain name she used for her business. The name itself was just OK. It’s the type of domain you might see sell for $1,000 or so on Afternic.
I framed it for her this way: how much would it take to overcome the pain of changing your web address? Think regarding notifying your clients of the fresh address, a temporary loss in SEO, changing your business cards, etc.
She thought regarding it and came up with a low five figure number.
When the potential domain buyer offered less money than her number a number of times, she calmly explained that it wasn’t worth it to her to sell for less than her original asking price. That’s a very good bargaining position. And since she really meant it, she ended up getting her full asking price.
Sometimes a buyer can do something to make it easier on the seller. Offering to forward existing email addresses to a fresh one benefits the seller while created minimum burden on the buyer.
I’ve thought regarding this exact question with my DNW.com domain. I get plenty of offers on the domain, but most are just other domain investors. For me to sell it, I’d need a great offer. Probably in the six figures. In addition to being a forward, I have thousands of links out there using a link shortener that points to DNW.com.
Oh, and I’d have to get a fresh license plate.
