Lots of exposure for premium listings.
I added a couple domain names with Afternic’s Premium distribution over the past few days to try out the system. There was a technical glitch with Moniker’s implementation, but this has been sorted out and customers shouldn’t experience any problems going forward.
(One note on eNom: you may need to do some sort of internal transfer from your reseller account to eNom’s registrar credentials to get your listings live. Afternic walks you through this after you submit your name.)
So what sort of attention does your domain name get when it’s listed in the registration path of four of the top 10 domain name registrars?
Network Solutions:
Register (my favorite implementation):
eNom:
Moniker’s implementation is kind of basic. It shows the domain as unavailable, but there’s a link below to buy it at SnapNames.
Elliot says
IMO, the Register.com UI may be a bit confusing because it looks like the name will cost $1,250 for 1 year, and users may think that’s an annual cost.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Elliot – good point
Josh says
So let me get this right, a guy ready to spend $10 and likely having no real knowledge of value will opt for the $XXXX+++ name before checking out L M A O
This is NOT how you reach end users, there needs to be a knowledge or desire for said name prior, you can’t force feed.
Andrew Allemann says
Josh, I thought that myself. Then I saw the numbers. It works.
Brian Null says
agree with Elliot’s comment above about the potential confusion of it being $1250 per year… that was my first impression also
Adam says
I think the “why $1250” is a nice feature on NSI. GD does something similar with a “what is a premium” link. I don’t really think any of the registrars have really perfected their “landers” for this type of sale though. Looking forward to seeing some improvements on this as time progresses.
Adam says
Andrew, what numbers ? do tell
Andrew Allemann says
@ Adam – can’t tell, but I think from your 2% STR that’s a pretty good ‘public’ number right there.
Adam says
Ok I’ve heard similar numbers . . .however, while it’s in the realm of expected conversions on typical e-commerce sites, single digits (2%) can definitely be much improved on.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Adam, I suspect a more interesting number would be percentage of people that search for the domain name actually buying it when they see it’s premium.
Josh says
Yes 2% str is a start but at the end of the day, sales matter (for us), those numbers Id like to know 🙂
Jezza says
I like that but until the access to the premium network will be subject to changing your registrar, they can wait for my domains.
I’d rather have an increase in commission than moving my domains to another registrar…
More than 2 years since they have launched the premium network and they still don’t get it.
Sedo is still scoring big time every week in sales…while NameMedia seem to be on a different planet.
Louise says
Would you please post a link to the terms? That is, of registering a premium name.
This is what scares me: $1250/year for a domain name, fine and good. What if it doubles the following year? Where does it specify in the terms the renewal switches to a regular rate?
Adam says
Louise , your question a perfect example of how the premium sales channel is confusing the buyer. A sale of $1250 is a one time payment. Not annually
Louise says
Hi Adam, That’s what it is supposed to be. Found the terms for Register, under, “Premium:”
“At the time of transfer of the Premium Domain Name into your account, we will add one year to the existing registration period. Any subsequent renewals of the Premium Domain Name will be charged at the then-current renewal fee.”
That sounds like what one would expect. Under, “Fees, Service Term, Renewals,” though, you agree:
“Register.com reserves the right to change fees, surcharges, renewal fees or to institute new fees at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion, without prior notice to you.”
This is the part that makes me nervous. And look how often Register posted new terms:
Privacy Notice
Current version
January 25th, 2010
July 12, 2004
October 10, 2002
January 16, 2002
Services Agreement
Current version
October 1, 2010
May 20, 2005
September 30, 2004
August 9, 2004
May 22, 2004
April 10, 2003
April 1, 2003
March 17, 2003
August 29, 2002
May 1, 2002
Transfer Agreement
Current version
March 18, 2001
The services agreement stayed the same for five years; now it changed twice in a month!
If I wasn’t paranoid about Verisign’s BTAPPA and ICANN and them, believing it is the new face of the mafia, I wouldn’t be nervous.
Andrew Allemann says
Louise, if you aren’t happy with the renewal fee then you can just transfer it.
Louise says
A Register Supervisor assured me through email:
“However, once [Premium Domains] are purchased for that original cost it is yours and the renewal rate becomes the same as any other .com. Even names that cost in the thousands of dollars can be renewed at our usual pricing which typically will float around $20-$38 per year depending on the available promotions.”
That’s a legal document. It doesn’t get erased.
So you were right. Some people need more reassurance!