Here is another Q & A from a DotWeekly.com reader.
I currently own approx 600 names, I want to start clearing some domains at Auction to fund some new projects, I often see you mention SnapNames a lot in your Blog. Would you say this is the best option? I contacted them recently and submitted a list of domains. They tell me that I will have to transfer all my names to their registrar at a cost of $7.44 a name. Thats just plain madness! 200+ names, I would be out of pocket $1400 before I even start. If you got any Advice I would much appreciate.
Yes, domains sold on SnapNames.com have to be with one of their registrars (Moniker.com or uDomainName.com) and if they are with one of their registrars, the domain must have at least 6 months left on registration. So if your domains are with a different registrar, then they might not be the best option. If you have 3 letter domains (.com, .net or .org) or 4 letter .com’s those would be worth transfering to Moniker and listing with SnapNames. Dictionary word .com’s and some .net’s or .org’s would also be worth listing on SnapNames, but it depends on the quality of the domains.
The quality of the domains can really be a big factor on where you want to list the domains. Sometimes eBay might be a good route to go, forums etc. but not with super premium domains. If you have great ones, SnapNames.com or TRAFFIC auctions can be a good route or you can also submit to RickLatona.com . Rick charges 10% and also asks that you put privacy on your domain when he is selling it.
Cost wise, SnapNames charges 20% on what you sell with them but also do not charge a listing fee. Sedo and Afternic charge about 10% (20% on Afternic if you choose the expanded promotion) on what you sell, but the only way to get a domain into "auction" is if you get a bid for it when it’s listed with their service.
NamePros.com has been holding several auctions, which they only charge a small amount of NP’s to get them in. The format sucks as the bidding happens in a Chat Room setting, so it can hurt prices, but is another option.
BQB.com is a new auction service with no fees, but I do not think there is much of a following right now, so listing a domain for auction here is even more of a risk.
If I felt like I had to sell a larger group of domain names, I would list them on eBay and promote the heck out of them on domain forums. You could list a couple a day in auction and spend $15.99 a month and open an eBay store. Use the auction listings to promote the domain names in your store until you sell out.
Anytime you want to sell off 200+ domain names it is not going to be easy unless they are all gems. Domain Forums will be your cheapest route to go. No listing fees, but you will also have the highest educated group of people on domains. eBay can yeild a large amount of EYES onto your listings and create some sales with less educated buyers. You do have to pay listing fees and final value fees on eBay no matter what, plus paypal fees if you accept paypal so it can get pretty expensive.
Anoter option would be to sell them as a Lot. Not always the best, but does work. You can do this on eBay or on all the domain forums.
