G.uest Post: DomainFest Predictions
So here we are again, at that time of year when domain “professionals” gather in Southern California for sun, fun, booze and a respiratory infection…among other things.
So what then to expect this year at DomainFest? What to expect at a time of transition and perhaps even turmoil in the industry?
After careful yet inebriated consideration, I submit to you my top predictions for the event to be held in Santa Monica next week.
10. Lawyers will outnumber domainers.
9. Hotel staff will outnumber domainers.
8. Local homeless bums or ‘hobos’ for short…will outnumber domainers.
7. A wooly mammoth will be reanimated and let loose on the Pier for Bob Parsons to shoot and gut with a crab fork.
6. .XXX will throw money in the air…like they just don’t care.
5. ICANN will invade the Fairmont, overwhelming the security staff with a lethal mix of Greek yogurt and nonsense.
4. Google will poison the hotel water with diuretics – as just another way to give domainers the shaft.
3. Three girls.
2. Main party sponsored by .Meh. Domainers will be quoted as saying the party was “meh.”
1. Actual parking emerges to replace virtual parking as the best revenue option for domains. ‘Milton, Ryan & Sons’ wins best ‘parking’ solution at TRAFFIC. (Means you’ll make more by printing out your names and putting them in your back pocket while you work as a valet.)
1a. A .info, who can’t swim, falls in the pool and no one jumps in to save it.
1b. GoDaddy will unveil an actual ‘vagina’ as celebrity ‘spokelips’ for their Super Bowl ad. No autographs please.
There you have it, take it to a large European bank, see what kind of return you get. On average, my predictions come true about 63% of the time but there is only a 10% chance of that.
So that means if you take it to a bank, you can expect to get roughly 15 pesos to the dollar.
You’re welcome.
Editor’s Note:
DC does not endorse nor share in the views of G, who was last spotted wearing an Italian disguise and eating a large bowl of SOPA in a Mexican eatery outside Toyko. His/her current whereabouts are unknown as is G’s real identity – for which a $500 bounty remains open.
The Parking Place Delivers Results
Thought I would take a moment to let you know about a company I, and other domainers, are having success with…for a change.
Truth is, I am like the others in that I have much traffic that has never converted in PPC and thus languishes around earning zip, zilch, nothing. Like a houseguest that won’t leave or pay for anything.
Yet during a recent domainer gathering in Vegas that I was turned on to The Parking Place, in no small part because several at the event were experiencing success with what was deemed “worthless traffic”.
And ‘success’ is not something we hear much these days so I perked up. A new solution that may actually work? I had to see with mine own eyes.
For if you don’t know, TPP redirects domains to offers, surveys, etc. and sells the leads to various firms – a sharp contrast from the PPC model, no doubt. But a welcome contrast?
For this domainer, yes, the results have been excellent.
I took a bunch of domains making less than nothing and now get $20/day out of them. Not much you may say but an extra $7,200/year is growth – that for which we strive everyday.
So I certainly like the figures but I am also happy with the interface, stats and service from my friend Sevan over there.
Point is that by even attempting and trying, we stick to the edict to test, test and test again to make sure we are maximizing every visitor, every click, every eyeball.
Now, for once in a blue moon, that opportunity has presented itself and has shown to be effective for others.
So, why not you? Only one way to find out.
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Notes on an Industry
Ok so G’s post yesterday made me feel bad about my own lack of commentary, so I thought I’d take a few minutes to jot down some notes on the biz, the current ‘state of our union’ as it were.
- Any current strategy, domain or otherwise, should include a focus on mobile platforms…but…
- HTML5 is a domainers dream for it ends the need for multi-language interfaces and multiple addresses – all devices, one address. Thus no longer will we need mobile.whatever.com. It is the simplification we’ve been panting for and a denial of the reasoning behind .mobi.
- Will lackluster registrations of the first few doom many a new gTLD before they even try? Is this the consequence of EXISTING saturation in the marketplace?
- If the story holds water, the DNJ story today is a true game-changer. BUT only for a small subset of domains – short, catchy and/or geo. So good day for those holding one-word .coms (or .orgs perhaps) of all stripes, the value of your names might have just gone ‘boom’!
- I foresee Facebook losing much steam before their IPO.
- How many apps will people get before they tire of apps?
- Hey Groupon, told you to take Google’s offer. Could go down as one of the dumbest, and greediest, calls in biz history.
- It’s an odd time in the industry but one of hope I believe.
- Sure, PPC has taken a swan dive into the abyss but have you actually tried to advertise? The cost per click is way UP from years earlier. In fact, seems more expensive and competitive than it has ever been. And yet, somehow, someway, we are making far less than earlier on. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
- I’ve thrived through the downturn by turning my 80/20 around. I used to get 80% of my income from domains and 20% from my sites. But seeing it coming, I made many efforts to turn that around so that now 80% comes from sites. Truth is I now make more than I did back then.
- Can’t say I’m too disappointed we are not returning to the Playboy mansion. Three times is pretty much enough. At the same time, there is that Nicholas Cage Raising Arizona side of me that just has to look one last time. So its regret sprinkled with longing and topped with desire for depravity.
- Highly recommend the book Fiery Trial about Lincoln ‘s growth into the anti-slavery President. Fascinating. Sorry, not industry related but if you need a good historical read for the trip, that’s my recommendation.
- I prefer the Huntley over the Fairmont. It’s nicer and waaaaay more quiet if you need to sleep, work, getaway…other.
- Been some discussion of holding DM4 in San Juan. Who’s down?
- Hey ICANN, told you it would be an ungodly mess.
I’m sure I’ll think of more but that’s it for the moment, have a great week…M.
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