A couple of years ago, I began domain consulting with a couple of small businesses and a few private domain investor clients, focusing on their domain acquisitions and sales. My clients were either looking to acquire a specific domain name, purchase a specific type of domain name, or they wanted to sell/value some of their domain assets. In the last several months, I’ve been more focused on my own business growth, and I only work with one client.
Hiring a domain consultant can be a very smart idea for a business. A domain consultant can help a business save money by getting the best possible price for domain names, especially when negotiating with larger portfolio holders with whom the consultant has done business with before. Domain negotiations are unique, and most professional domain consultants have the experience to get deals done privately and at the right price – both on the buy and sell side.
Many domain investors own domain names that are aren’t critical to their business, and selling them can bring liquidity without hurting the company’s portfolio. Knowing where to sell the domain names (auction, private sale, broker…etc) is important, as is setting the right price. Domain consultants can advise the domain owner about where the best place to sell a particular domain name is based on a variety of factors. Consultants know the market, know many of the buyers in the domain industry, and know how to open doors and close deals.
Underperforming domain names are also a problem for domain owners. A domain consultant may know where the best place is to park specific types of domain names, and the consultant may be able to help you better optimize your landing page. Some domain consultants can also help build you custom landing pages for your parked domain names as well. You may also be able to get a better revenue share with a parking company based on the consultant’s experience.
Although I am not looking for new domain consulting jobs or clients, there are a number of top domain consultants who may be able to help. Here are a few people that I know (this is not an endorsement):
- Alan Hack
- Adam Strong
- Bill Sweetman (Name Ninja)
- ESQwire.com
- John Daly
- Larry Fischer
- Right of the Dot
- Rob Sequin
- Scott Ross
When looking to hire a domain consultant, I recommend asking the following questions and evaluating the answers based on your own needs:
- What is your experience with something similar to this project?
- Have you worked with XYZ company before?
- Have you sold similar domain names and at what prices (price may be confidential)?
- Can you provide 2-3 letters of reference?
- Do you charge hourly, by job, on retainer, what is your fee?
Oftentimes, trademark holders and domain owners or investors have opposing viewpoints on domain ownership. Both parties frequently feel that they have the right to specific domain names, and the battles to get them can either be fought through a mediation-esque procedure like UDRP or through the legal system.
