Domain Leasing Affiliate Program Proposal

[rob]

Here's the other side of the picture: if you're already spending major money on PPC, then swapping out your existing URL in the ads for a perfect exact-match domain can significantly reduce your costs by increasing your CTR and therefore dropping your CPC. My case study proved that conclusively, and others have backed up that finding too.

Thats the problem, 'domainers' seeing domains as more than a straight buy-low-sell-high play.

 

[Edwin]

Thats the problem, 'domainers' seeing domains as more than a straight buy-low-sell-high play.

But domainers will NEVER be leasing the names anyway, so the problem is only how to articulate the value proposition for "everyone else"

 

[Domains_co_uk]

I think its important to remember here that businesses do lease out domain names and are quite happy to do so. Our business is solid proof of that.

The opportunity here is our affiliate program. We are not trying to sell lease deals to you guys.

 

[Frog]

The opportunity here is our affiliate program. We are not trying to sell lease deals to you guys.

Sure, but the questions and issues surrounding it directly impact the viability of us being able to convince clients to sign up, or even if we'd recommend them signing up.

 

[Domains_co_uk]

It struck me more like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDXFVTZCZwI where a new business idea is floated.... "ive got something lucrative lined up...."




...and if it was coast the clothes lot, would you try and get a specialised agreement in place?

haha, not sure I like how the perception of me is taking shape here! Oh well, if you see a chavved up kid smoking crack in the corner at Think Vis this year, you know who it is!

Re the question about Coast - we do lease Livebait.co.uk to livebait restaurants, a relatively large organisation. Further due diligence took place when qualifying the lease to ensure both parties are protected, but yes, they seem to be a happy customer of ours.

We wouldn't however suggest trying lease a matching domain to larger branded organisation. Moving forward with the service we will be very much focusing on generics and key word rich domains.

 

[TheHodge]

Wow, you go away for a few hours and look what has started..

The commission rate is something we are totally looking for guidance into what would interest you, 30% initial payment and 2% reoccurring is an option and def. something we can look at..

I made similar comments about Harvey's picture before we launched but would he listen ....

I think we are starting to come up with two types of affiliate, one who has a form submissions or an email cc'ed who then allows our sales team to 'do the talking' and then a 2nd tier in which the affiliate has provided the sale on a plate as it would be...

This is really good feedback though - keep it coming

 

[retired_member34]

On the domains.co.uk site it states "Rolling contracts which give you indefinite first refusal on a domain name".

Does this mean you can extend the lease indefinitely, or does it give you pre-emption rights in the event of a domain sale? If the former, are there standard review of cost of the lease?

 

[wb]

I like the idea of leasing domains to businesses and can see how it would add value to them, however as Edwin has mentioned it's a very profitable area and 2% per month wouldn't personally be of interest. After all, you're only going to need to pay the affiliates when they have found you a lessee which will make you a nice amount of profit.

Perhaps also look into the idea of offering a percentage fee per leasing deal at a far higher rate without the monthly fee (affiliates get the money up front to re-invest and would save on administration costs for you too).

 

[Frog]

Couple of questions, as these would determine whether I'd even recommend it to clients for free, let alone as an affiliate thing.

How often are price rises calculated, and how exactly are they calculated?


What exactly does the first refusal mean? If we are renting a domain for £1000 a month, and someone else comes along and offers £2000 a month, does that mean I need to equal their price or lose the domain?

 

[JMOT]

Does the company leasing the domain get to have a BIN in place in the event of a third party making an offer on the domain or indeed the company deciding they want to actually own it?

Is that what you mean as first refusal or is the domain effectively unable to be sold and locked in during the lease period?

If so you should include a bounty to the introducer for that.

Introduce a sale and six months later a BIN is executed for say £2m knowing how STJ prices things ...would make a nice kickback potentially but albeit a rare occurrence....

 

[foz]

How much wiggle room do you have in the ongoing commission charge?

e.g. If I approach you with a domain to lease out, what cut do you want?

 

[Domains_co_uk]

Sure, but the questions and issues surrounding it directly impact the viability of us being able to convince clients to sign up, or even if we'd recommend them signing up.

We can look to list all the questions raised and put an affiliate support pack together which will include an FAQ and answers to typical objections. Obviously the more questions the better so keep them coming...

We will start work on this straight away based on the questions already raised.

 

[Domains_co_uk]

On the domains.co.uk site it states "Rolling contracts which give you indefinite first refusal on a domain name".

Does this mean you can extend the lease indefinitely, or does it give you pre-emption rights in the event of a domain sale? If the former, are there standard review of cost of the lease?

Rolling means indefinite first option to lease the domain based on the price agreed in the contract. We have parameters to include a annual increase if needed, say for example 5% per year. This covers us for general inflation rates etc...

But in essence the licensee has full control over how long they wish to lease the domain name for - so long they do not breach the contract and pay on time etc, then all parties are bound into the terms. Both the licensee and the domain owner must agree to the terms of the contract, which states the owner cannot rent, sell, transfer or license the domain for the duration of the agreement.

 

[Domains_co_uk]

Couple of questions, as these would determine whether I'd even recommend it to clients for free, let alone as an affiliate thing.

How often are price rises calculated, and how exactly are they calculated?


What exactly does the first refusal mean? If we are renting a domain for £1000 a month, and someone else comes along and offers £2000 a month, does that mean I need to equal their price or lose the domain?

Absolutely not - once a contract has been signed, that is the deal and remains the deal until the licensee decides to cancel, or breaches the contract.

 

[Domains_co_uk]

Does the company leasing the domain get to have a BIN in place in the event of a third party making an offer on the domain or indeed the company deciding they want to actually own it?

Is that what you mean as first refusal or is the domain effectively unable to be sold and locked in during the lease period?

If so you should include a bounty to the introducer for that.

Introduce a sale and six months later a BIN is executed for say £2m knowing how STJ prices things ...would make a nice kickback potentially but albeit a rare occurrence....

Once the contract has been agreed and signed, all parties are locked in. The domain owner cannot advertise the domain for sale or rent, transfer or license for the full duration of the agreement.

 

[websaway]

Afternoon All,

I've recently agreed to manage the domains.co.uk affiliate program and after discussions with a few affiliates and networks, we've come to the conclusion it's not a normal program

Domains.co.uk leases domain names on a rolling or fixed contract.

We've been building tracking technologies such as unique forms and click tracking (also looking into the possibility of custom phone numbers for affiliates to give out) but I've set up the program so if you know someone who is interested in a domain, you just simply cc me into an email with them and if they lease a domain name the sale is attributed to you.

We've been looking at what commission we should be offering and the proposal is 10% of the first months payment on a domain lease and then a rolling 2% on all further months.

I think this could be a nice offering, I know a lot of this program will be based on trust and feedback but I will be available via email, phone, skype, instant message and will keep you up to date with everything.

That's the current thought but I'd like to get your feedback on what would make you interested.

It sounds to me (no matter how complicated some make it sound) like a simple introductory programme. If you phone anyone who owns a domain and look for a kickback on a deal you can introduce, they will accommodate you.