What's new

Would you publicly list your undeveloped domains for sale?

Jonathan

Top Contributor
In a sense this question is kind of a no-brainer, because thousands of people are already implicitly doing this on Netfleet, but would you have any issues creating a 'portfolio' website that lists all of your undeveloped Australian domains for sale, or would you be worried about AUDA breathing down your neck?

The key policy that worries me is (and this still stands, as far as I know):

"You cannot register a domain name for the sole purpose of
resale or transfer to a third party."

[From http://www.auda.org.au/pdf/registrant-transfer.pdf - which is, as far as I know, the latest official word AUDA has on the matter.]

I have several hundred .com.au's that I registered over the past 12-18 months with the intention to develop, but I have come to realize that I simply don't have the time to properly develop the vast majority of them, and have shifted my strategy to focus on a dozen or so of my most 'promising' names instead. I don't want to let these drop, since they are all keyword rich domains with a good number of monthly exacts, and are worth considerably more than reg-fee.

So technically it seems I would be in accordance with official policy, since none of the domains I registered were purchased for the sole purpose of resale or transfer.

However, doesn't listing your names for sale on a portfolio site sort of.. well, look a little bit suss? Particularly if you register a domain name, and then 6 months later (i.e. the end of the no-transfer period) it just happens to appear on your portfolio website?

Or am I just being paranoid?
 

SEOconsultant

Top Contributor
Jonathan...

I'm a paranoid b*tch regarding showing my domain names... specially to any other person that is involved in Internet Marketing .... and even more if the domain name is ranking and I'm making any serious revenue. (example adsense niches, affiliates)

I don't know... sometimes the less you tell.. the better? (no idea really) lol
 

Jonathan

Top Contributor
Gabe I'm with you and I think there is probably good cause not to show your developed domains especially if they are earning you money. People could find ways of sabotaging you and/or figure out your SEO strategy.

But for undeveloped names that you, for one reason or another, have decided that you're not going to *ever* develop, being paranoid about publicizing your domains can only hurt your chances of a good sale, imo.
 

djuqa

Top Contributor
I have been warning people about that auDA policy for ages and using it as a reason why aussie domainers should at least make some token effort to develop.

Surely any name worth selling is worth a cheap minisite to give auDA a reason for ownership and than resale as a site .

BTW there has been several domains listed here and at netfleet recently that hardly qualify for six days after reg. let alone six months. Various auDA members are regular visitors to most domain forums.
 
Last edited:

Billy01

Top Contributor
I don't think they are out to kill the industry

They know whats going on and to think they don't know about Netfeelt etc would be crazy. They are there to regulate not destroy.
 

TroyW

Top Contributor
"You cannot register a domain name for the sole purpose of
resale or transfer to a third party."

From what you have said is true then you didn't 'register a domain name for the sole purpose of resale or transfer to a third party' and therefore you cannot be in breach.

Business plans and strategies change every day. If you abide by the guidelines then I don't see why you would have a problem.
 

TroyW

Top Contributor
It's up to you Jonathan, but I wouldn't email AUDA. Even if you were doing the wrong thing, it would be very difficult for AUDA to prove your sole purpose for registration was sale or transfer. In my opinion, the policy is very clear and in the case outlined, you are worrying without reason.

Also be mindful that AUDA probably read 99% of all the posts on this forum, particulalry with respect to policing. If you follow AUDA's rules you shouldn't have any problems.
 

Honan

Top Contributor
Jonathan
You are being paranoid
You register domain names to monetise them
You monetise in accordance with the rules
6 months after registering you are allowed to offer them for sale
End of story.
 

TroyW

Top Contributor
Hello Jonathan,

Just a quick update on the above.

Since my initial posting I'm now arguing with AUDA over a number of registrations they're sending to policy delete (not related to my post) and although we don't agree, I've found them to be quite helpful and professional.

One thing I have learnt is that if you do have a problem contact them directly - don't rely on your registrar to speak on your behalf - especially if it's NetRegistry/Hostess.
 

Jonathan

Top Contributor
Thanks for the heads up Troy.

Are you able to share any details about the policy delete issue you're facing?
 

DavidL

Top Contributor
They are far more reasonable than they used to be, that's for sure.

The key point as Jonathan said is

"You cannot register a domain name for the sole purpose of resale or transfer to a third party"

However if you registered a domain on day 1, parked it somewhere and listed it for sale on day 2 wouldn't it be reasonable to say you registered it in order to monetise it for 6 months and then possibly consider selling it.

The fact that monetisation was part of the reason of registration means that resale can't be the sole purpose of registration.

However saying that, it's probably best to wait 6 months before listing anyway just because if you do get an agreement to purchase you won't be able to follow through.
 

FirstPageResults

Top Contributor
There was an incident last year where a domain sale was made and the COR was put through... the registrar assumed that the domain was older than 6 months old.. but it wasnt.

AusRegistry system noticed this so the domain status was updated and auDA notified.

auDA wern't very happy about it and they threatened to look up all of the registrants names (some 500+), cross reference the domains under 6 month against those listed for sale on aftermarket sites such as NF and the delete them.

.. they didn't do it but they proved their point. The registrant should've known better.

As David said I wouldn't be listing names during that peroid.
 

TroyW

Top Contributor
Thanks for the heads up Troy.

Are you able to share any details about the policy delete issue you're facing?

Hi Jonathan,

While we're all playing fairly I won't say too much, but the issue is with regard to interpretation of Auda's registration policies. The policies have a lot of grey in them which means Auda employees have to interpret the guidelines. For instance, there's no definition of what constitutes a service and therefore I'll interpret it one way and Auda may interpret it another way. This is why legal documents normally have 2 pages of definitions prior to the body of the contract.

I'll most likely lose some domains and while I'm not happy (and believe Auda's wrong) I appreciate the professionalism shown by their staff when I've contacted them. This was the opposite of what I'd heard about Auda.

Also, I've had two different registrars involved in the process NetRegistry/Hostess and Intaserve. Intaserve have gone out if their way to help while NetRegistry/Hostess's service has been disgraceful. I'm starting to wonder how much saving a dollar or two using Hostess actually costs me.
 

Community sponsors

Domain Parking Manager

AddMe Reputation Management

Digital Marketing Experts

Catch Expired Domains

Web Hosting

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
11,098
Messages
92,044
Members
2,394
Latest member
Spacemo
Top