It has been a little while since I did a this and that type post, so I thought now would be a time do one as I have a couple things on my mind that I’m not going to write a full post about.
~ It must have been time for Yellowbook® to release a new phone books as I got one the other day. I think I may use a phone book about 5 times a year for random things I may need locally and I hit up the yellow pages to search for a business, service or product. Well, I wasn’t in need of anything when I got the phone book but curiosity struck from looking at the cover with two different companies advertising on it and the domain names they displayed in each ad, plus the three different domains used by Yellowbook.
So what if you wanted or needed a domain name I thought? Could you find a service in the Yellowbook? Not in my local Yellowbook as no listings in the yellows page under "Domain" or "Domain Name". I also checked under "Internet" and nothing related to "Domain Names". I was a little surprised to see nothing but I wonder if any domainers have ever tried placing an ad under "Domain Name" in the phone book?
I know the internet is the internet and most that use it would look "online" but I would have a feeling that some businesses may look in the phone book as well for a little more personal and local aspect. Just an idea and I was also interested to hear if you have tried it?
~ ZipZing.com, the dictionary based domain name filtering software that I launched on Monday was a total flop!!! I hate to say it but it was. As of writing this on Thursday evening I haven’t sold a single copy of the software. Yes it has been only 4 days but I know when to say when and this one didn’t take me long to figure it out. I’m not sure if I over priced it ($59.99), people didn’t understand it or if domainers do not filter raw domain lists like PendingDelete lists, NameJet Pre-Release lists, GoDaddy’s expired domain lists etc and simply depend on online services or the in-house search boxes or what.
I let a very popular domainer use it and he suggested I not even make it public because the software was that good. That may be another reason I was a bit surprised I didn’t even sell one copy, but also the fact that I use it every day.
I hate to fail but software launches from me will not be taking place in the future. I put a lot of time, money and effort into the software so it’s disappointing that not even a single person purchased it, but you live and learn.
~ I am having a bit of a hard time adjusting to working a "real job" and part-time domaining. Not really doing it, just making it at least work a little bit so it’s worth while doing at all. DotWeekly is a big part of my domaining but research takes an ass load of time and time is something I lack right now. Articles do not write themselves. Staying focused after working all day is another challenge to keep things going.
I keep running things in my head but I haven’t fully decided yet. I have been thinking of getting back into the drop game and start registering dropping domains. I have thought about stopping my GoDaddy Goodies lists here and purchasing some of those instead of making them public. I just feel a little lost in the direction I want to go with domaining right now but I hope I figure it out pretty soon.
~ I do a lot of digging and see a lot of domain names that I do not write about.. but let me say this. Companies are registering a lot of domain names. Insurance companies, tech companies, Wal-Mart, P&G etc. I see a fair amount buying from BuyDomains.com with many using buying services like Corporate Domain Services and many secret buyers that are tied to MarkMonitor. Some domains they purchase are really "odd" but sometimes it’s hard for me to decide if you would be willing to read about these domains or not. Without looking at Whois.. who would purchase BluebirdMoney.com? Well, it went into privacy but Wal-Mart purchased it? What the heck is Bluebird Money and why would Wal-Mart want to own that domain? Hard to say but I see a lot of that and never really share it because it can be hard to decide what to write about and what not.
~ Go Packers!!! If you are not aware of it, I live in Green Bay, aka the home the Super Bowl Champs. LOL Being the only undefeated team in the NFL right now is pretty cool and only living about 4 miles from the stadium, it is always cool to drive by such a cool and talked about stadium that it puts a smile on my face each time I see it. Go Pack Go!
JOHN
I would buy your software if it was $19.95 or something, and I am sure most others would to, also to allow a 7 day trial version or something, $60 is a lot when many domainers are struggling to pay renewals.
Bill
A little early to give up on the software. For one, I never heard of it until this post, and it looks like there could have been more build up to the launch. Simply getting it seen is half the battle.
The other may be the price, as the software is an unknown at this point. You could try free trials, and people may find they don’t want to live without it after their trial period is up. You could also try low introductory prices to try to get some user testimonials. (First 10 buyers at X dollars, next 10 at XX, next 20 at XX+…)
Personally, I haven’t seen any ads for the software, or even forum posts.
It looks like a good software, and maybe domaining software isn’t flying off the shelves these days, but there should be some steady sales once people become familiar with it.
Good luck
jp
@Jamie, I’ve been meaning to ask, do you write code/software or have someone else do it for you. Just curious.
John Humphrey
Jamie, I think a video of you using the software could help speed things up. Perhaps the popular domain blogger who tried ZipZing will blog about it. Alas, as a Mac user, it’s of no use to me. If you build a Mac version I’ll buy it. There’s very little in the way of sophisticated domaining software for we of the Mac persuasion.
Luke Summers
Hi Jamie
The features of the software sound great and the website looks good. I would say though that perhaps $59.99 is a little high for your initial pricing. I would start with some ‘special’ or ‘introductory’ pricing to get some people hooked so that they become advocates for your product and the word of mouth gets some momentum.
Some further marketing would also be beneficial to get the word out. You don’t have to spend big bucks, perhaps you could look at putting together a short, informative article that other domaining bloggers may publish? You could grab an ad spot on domaining.com? You could start a post on some domaining forums, outline the features and offer a special price – also seek user feedback and you’ll get consumer insights into your product – what they like and what they don’t. My final suggestion – demo video. Potential buyers like to see the product in action. These are just some suggestions, and no doubt you have already considered some or all of the above.
Also – get your demo download back up! I was going to give it a ‘test drive’ and I couldn’t get out of the driveway. Consumers like to sample, and with software – demos are the norm not the exception.
I wouldn’t despair that there’s no take up after only four days, take this as a signal that you need to change tactics in pricing and promotion. Make some changes and see if the interest improves. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that.
Once people are trying and buying the product, then you need to be getting as much feedback as possible on the functionality and features of the software, so that you can tweak the product. Software rarely stays version 1.0 forever.
Best of luck and I wish you success with ZipZing!
Luke
up.biz
Phone books are important factors and main elements to save contacts. It should be well managed and understandable easily.
Scott Alliy
Don’t give up the ship. Shoot me an email I might have something for you. Can Packers and Pats fan get along???
Jamie Zoch
@JP,
I do not write code, but I wish I could
Jamie Zoch
@All,
Thank you for all the suggestions on the ZipZing software! All of the ideas and suggestions are very helpful and I will consider them all and see if I will make the software available again based on several of the suggestions.
John
Allow a 2 week free trial with the software
Create a YouTube video on how to use it and what it can do
Then think about pricing it
Way to early to give up on it
Most people have a daily routine and there’s tons of info people need to get through daily. 4 days is way too early to pull plug on something. Many probably haven’t had time to visit.
90-120 days is a better indicator
Anwar
Don’t give up this quick Jamie. We know the value of your experience and thoughts and that’s why I check your blog almost every day. I know you wont spend your time on developing a software unless it worth it, and that is why i’m writing here too for the first time!
As the guys already mentioned above, this is a chance to review and change tactics. I fell that a trial period with full functions + youtube short clip of the software in action + special launching price would really help showing the value-for-money we could get from it. Domainers are lazy, and some are doing it as a part-time just like you now, 4 days are not enough to spare some time from all other routine domaining activities to test and realize the value of a new tool.
Would appreciate if you could drop me an email when the software is back…
Jamie Zoch
@Anwar,
Thank you for stopping by and posting your first comment! I will keep you informed if or when I offer ZipZing again.
Sukh
Jamie
This looks great software to have. When are you going to make it available again?
Also you mentioned that you didn’t code it, where did you get it coded?
Thanks
Sukh
Jamie Zoch
The ZipZing.com domain name filtering software is once again available!
I have lowered the price of the software to $29.95! I have also included an eCommerce dictionary ($19.95) and a Package Deal ($99.95) that includes the software, eCom dictionary, several other dictionaries and email support.
I will put up a couple videos of me using the software in the coming days, but several pages of resources are available on ZipZing (including screenshots).
Here is a link to the purchase page for those that were interested in purchasing: http://zipzing.com/purchase/