How one domainer has successfully developed premium domain names.
A lot of domainers try to create businesses on their good domain names but run into challenges. This week’s guest, Peter Askew, has developed three great domain names into businesses. He explains some of the challenges and successes he’s had. Each of his businesses is unique, too: a directory biz model on DudeRanch.com, ecommerce shipping a fresh product on VidaliaOnions.com and now a software as a service business at CallTracking.com, which he bought earlier this year for $21,000 on NameJet. Also: Weeds.com hijacking, $40,000 for RDNH, AWS re:Invent and Page Howe appears on HBO.
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Great interview! Very insightful for anyone new to web business and even to the seasoned. Especially like the point of ‘How can you be helpful to the industry’, well put. I would like to talk with Peter about a similar business to his DudeRanch.com – I’ll try and follow up or feel free to get in contact with me.
On your call tracking, great idea, but call tracking terminology could almost mean anything. It’s sounds more like media sourcing by way of phone numbers.
Thanks Andrew.. I’m @searchbound on Twitter if you’d like to shoot me a message
Great Show.
Have you come across any companies that allow one to build out affiliate link or drop shipping websites similar to the parking companies (with ease and scalability)?
I found one years ago (is still around) called Fresh Store Builder that allows one to build out Amazon Affiliate stores. It requires one to download the product vs being able to quickly build out domains via one’s browser. I’ve emailed ShareASale as an example of the providers of the feeds, but they don’t offer the ability for one to build out a site on their platform.
What is your experience with these types of setups?
I think that is what is lacking in the industry badly. I think at the end of the day it allows one to test their domains easily to see if there is a an actual business that can be developed from the name without having to invest lots of time and money in it.
Hi John,
Thanks for listening.. I tend to go the old school route, ie. just reaching out to businesses directly, rather than go through 3rd party. It seems to speed things up for me, and makes things more authentic with my partners. Hope that helps..
Great show guys! Thanks for the great tips Peter. This helped spark new ideas for my directory and ways to get facetime with potential clients of my niche.
Thanks for listening, Jim. Facetime, and shaking hands has helped a good bit for me. It shows that you’re invested in your business, and – from my experience – makes the sale a little easier. Most folks wanna ‘phone things in’.. I’ve found if you take an extra step (attend a convention; show up at the business, write a hand written thank you), it goes a long way.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.. I’m @searchbound on Twitter if you’d like to follow and/or reach out..
Interesting and insightful episode Andrew. I hope you make more shows like this.
Thanks Peter for sharing your business experiences.
Thanks. I will work to get more guests like Peter.
Happy to share – I appreciate the feedback. I’m continuing to learn along the way.
@Peter, your story of entrepreneurship is inspiring and shows that great domains can help support and sustain a new business. Have you ever targeted a name for a specific business idea or do you let the names determine your next venture?
@Andrew Thanks for putting together another great episode.
Thanks Brian,
I’ve never built a successful business with an idea first, then domain second. Mainly because – in those instances – domain costs can jump into 6-figures as you’re typically purchasing from a domain investor. Domains through expiration are more my speed, as they lean towards wholesale cost.
My CallTracking.com project is a slight hybrid though, as I’ve experienced that pain point for years, but never pursued. Then the angels above delivered that lovely domain into the domain expiration world, and I quickly moved to acquire.
Hope that helps..