Every once in a while, I check out the landing pages for various high value domain names owned by GoDaddy via its NameFind portfolio company. Because GoDaddy has one of the largest domain name portfolios and probably sells more aftermarket domain names than anyone else, I visit their landing pages to see if I can learn anything valuable to help me sell my domain names.
In June of last year, I noticed quite a few of their valuable one word .com domain names had a different domain for sale landing page. The company appeared to take many of them off of a parking PPC landing page and used a different style of landing page to make it clear that the domain name was for sale.
This morning, I noticed the landing page for some of the premium names changed again. The company is no longer using the landing page that had been used before, but is now forward the domain names to what I believe is the longstanding Afternic inquiry form:
This isn’t really a huge change. The company is seemingly making it more clear that the domain name is for sale – even if a visitor just takes a quick glance. They are also more heavily promoting its toll-free phone number on the upper left of the landing page so prospects can call right away and speak with a sales representative. There is less of a sales pitch on the landing page, possibly figuring someone who calls will get that info via the sales broker.
My guess is the reason for the forward is to generate leads more quickly via phone. Afternic / GoDaddy likely has top performing phone sales agents, and if they can get the lead to call in right away, they can start working on closing a deal. Since the company owns these domain names, there may be a bit more flexibility in pricing, but at the least, they can commence a negotiation more instantly than email.
The other thing I would guess is that the Afternic form has performed well for the company and they simply want to get a visitor onto that page more quickly.
Although I have names listed for sale via Afternic, I don’t use their inquiry landing pages or forms. I think it can be helpful to see how other people are promoting their domain names for sale.
it’s always been like this
You can see a different landing page in the previous article I wrote.
wrong comment. my bad..
Since “Afternic” isn’t a household brand name like GoDaddy…. I’d be interested to see these landing pages with contact forms on a GoDaddy logo / domain. It certainly would increase the trust factor, which would be helpful.
Good suggestion.
I wrote about this.. that’s why I redirected my new Gs to Godaddy.
e.g: http://www.all.watch
Nobody knows what is “Afternic”.
Godaddy – Trusted brand.
Definitely. Yet, actually having to use either the Afternic.com site or the GoDaddy.com site would weaken that trust. Horrible UX on both sites.
Love to see feedback from the guys that have been doing this for years. Thank you.
We are in testing now on a sales lander with GD branding, will hopefully roll out soon if tests are encouraging.
Could you share an example of that lander?
I made the same argument/suggestion to Afternic months ago…
I agree I would like to see afternic rebrand into something that represents godaddy, they spends tens of millions advertising godaddy, nobody knows the afternic brand.
It will help with trust factors.
Looking forward to these new landing pages. Could be a turning point. The humble Afternic form has been a great servant and will be a tough enough opponent for Godaddy lander to beat, but logic says it’s the better choice. We’ll see how that narrative pans out.
While appreciative that GD does not want to seem like its competing with its syndicated selling registrar partners, a message such as Afternic / by GoDaddy does not seem to be inappropriate, and could provide considerable trust enhancement to non frequent domain buyers