Art Malikov, a domain investor and co-founder of a crypto startup, shares his journey in the competitive world of .io and .ai domains. He reveals how tweaking landing pages boosted his sales and discusses effective pricing strategies. The conversation dives into the importance of premium domains and the impact of the current market landscape, including trends and potential challenges. Malikov also touches on the implications of recent changes in domain registries and the evolving dynamics of domain investments in 2024.
The domain investor dramatically increased sales by shifting from fixed prices to a contact-based pricing model, enhancing buyer communication.
The growing demand for .ai domains illustrates the dynamic nature of the market, necessitating vigilant observation of trends and competition.
Deep dives
Key Strategies in Domain Investing
The podcast highlights the effective strategies employed by a successful domain investor who modified his sales approach on Afternic. By changing from fixed prices to a contact-based pricing model, he managed to significantly increase his sales of .com domains, nearly doubling them compared to the previous year. This method allows potential buyers to connect directly, fostering better communication and negotiation opportunities. Such strategic tweaks illustrate the necessity of adaptability in the evolving domain investment landscape.
Shifting Trends in Domain Extensions
The growing popularity of .ai and .io domain extensions is discussed, showcasing their rising significance in the market. The guest explains how .ai has surged dramatically in sales ranking, positioned just behind .org, while .io remains an attractive option for tech startups. Interestingly, investor insights reveal a cautious sentiment toward these extensions, emphasizing the need to observe market fluctuations closely. This highlights a dynamic industry where domain extension values can shift rapidly and impact investment strategies.
Challenges and Opportunities in Domain Acquisitions
The conversation delves into challenges faced by domain investors in acquiring premium domains, particularly .ai domains, amid fierce competition. The guest shares a personal experience highlighting the price disparities between .io and .ai domains, noting that premium .ai domains can fetch prices significantly higher than .io counterparts. Additionally, recent changes in auction management for .ai domains have introduced uncertainties, prompting investors to adapt their buying strategies. This evolving market environment calls for investors to stay vigilant about changes in domain value and auction structures.
Market Sentiment and Sales Performance
Market sentiment surrounding domain sales is evaluated, with the guest expressing mixed feelings about current sales trends compared to previous years. A noticeable decline in early 2024 sales raises concerns, prompting speculation about external economic factors influencing buyer confidence. Despite these challenges, the investor remains optimistic about securing installment-based sales, which assist in covering renewal costs. This underscores the importance of maintaining a flexible and informed approach to navigate potential downturns in the domain market.
This domain investor boosted his sales by changing his landing pages. On today’s show, I talk to a domain investor who has been very successful with .io and .ai domain names. He discusses how he’s tweaking his approach to investing in these domains in today’s domain investing landscape. He also shares his 2024 domain sales […]