“Why Domainers Get on My Nerves: Protecting Your Brand and Domains from Squatters”
Today I want to have a bit of a chat about something that’s been on my mind lately – domainers.
If you’re not familiar with the term, domainers are those folks who buy up domain names and sit on them, hoping to sell them later at a profit. Now, from a pure business standpoint, fair play to them. It’s a classic case of supply and demand. But I’ll be honest, they can really get on my nerves sometimes.
What Do Domainers Do?
Essentially, domainers are individuals or even big companies that buy domain names with the sole intention of reselling them later. They scout for domains that have just expired because someone forgot or decided not to renew them. They also look for domains containing valuable keywords for SEO or branding purposes, or ones that are simply catchy and brandable.
Their goal is to snap up these domains before anyone else can, and then hold onto them – sometimes without even putting a website on them. Often, they’ll just park them with some ads, waiting for potential buyers to come along.
Why Do They Do It?
Well, it’s all about the potential profit. Some people are willing to pay hundreds, even thousands of pounds for the right domain name. I’ve seen domains go for millions – remember cruises.com? That one went for an absolute fortune.
So, for domainers, it’s a bit like real estate investing, but in the digital world. Low maintenance, potentially high return. And in some cases, it’s perfectly legal and above board. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating for those of us trying to build something genuine.
How It Affects SEO (and My Sanity)
From an SEO standpoint, domainers can be a real headache. When you’re trying to start a new project or create a new brand, you might come up with the perfect name, only to find that someone’s already sitting on the domain, doing absolutely nothing with it.
It’s not just about the domain name itself; it’s about the confusion it can cause for your brand. If someone else holds a different extension of your domain (like the .com or .net version), and they’re doing nothing with it, it can dilute your brand or even mislead your potential customers.
My Personal Run-In with a Domainer
Let me share a personal story that was the inspiration for this whole rant.
I have an energy site targeting the UK market. It’s been on the .co.uk domain for about eight years now. When I first registered the domain and settled on the brand name, I also bought the .com version. I did this to prevent someone else from grabbing it and potentially causing confusion by running a similar site on the .com.
Now, over the years, I’ve amassed a fair few domains – a bad habit, I admit. I get ideas for projects and snag the domain names, but often don’t get around to actually building anything on them. Recently, I decided it was time for a cull. I was paying hundreds, maybe even thousands of pounds a year renewing domains I had no intention of using.
So, I let the .com version of my energy site drop. I wasn’t using it; it wasn’t even redirecting to my .co.uk site. I thought nothing more of it.
But then, within 24 hours of it expiring, I received an email via the contact form on my .co.uk site. It went something like this:
“Hi, I noticed that [domainname].com is available, and I thought it might align with your brand. If you’re considering securing a new domain, this could be an excellent option. Feel free to check it out or submit an offer here…”
Well, isn’t that cheeky? This person had waited for the domain to drop, snapped it up, and then tried to sell it back to me! Little did they know, I was the one who’d just let it expire.
In this case, it was more amusing than anything else. But it got me thinking – what if I hadn’t meant to let it drop? What if someone had grabbed it and started holding me hostage over it? It could have caused real problems.
Why It Gets on My Nerves
It’s frustrating when domainers hoard domains that could be used to create real value. When you’re trying to build a brand and can’t secure the domain you want because someone’s squatting on it, it can be infuriating.
I get that everyone needs to make a living, and some domainers see this as a legitimate business. But it’s the ones who cause confusion, or worse, try to hijack domains to hold people ransom, that really get to me.
Protecting Yourself Against Domainers
So, what can you do to protect yourself from these situations? Here are a few tips:
1. Keep an Eye on Your Domains: Make sure you’re aware of when your domains are due for renewal. Set up auto-renewals or calendar reminders. You don’t want to lose a domain accidentally because you forgot to renew it.
2. Buy the Extensions You Need: If you’re building a brand, consider purchasing not just the .co.uk, but also the .com, .net, or any other extensions that might be relevant. It’s better to secure them early on than to try and get them back later.
3. Use Backordering Services: If there’s a domain you’ve always wanted and it’s about to expire, you can use backordering services to try and snag it when it becomes available. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot.
4. Be Prepared to Negotiate: If all else fails and you really need a domain that’s owned by a domainer, be prepared to negotiate. But don’t jump at the first price they offer. In my experience, they often start high, but will come down significantly if you’re willing to walk away. I once got a domain down from $3,000 to $700 by being firm.
5. Monitor for Brand Confusion: Keep an eye on other versions of your domain and make sure no one’s using them to mislead your customers or dilute your brand.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, domainers are just part of the online ecosystem. While they can be frustrating, especially when they cause confusion or hold domains hostage, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Remember, it’s important to stay vigilant and proactive when it comes to your domains. Secure what you need upfront, keep track of renewals, and don’t be afraid to stand your ground if someone tries to sell you back your own domain.
And if you’re a domainer reading this, maybe consider the impact your actions have on those of us trying to build genuine value online.
Thanks for sticking with me through this little rant. As always, SEO isn’t that hard when you understand the basics. Keep optimising, stay curious, and don’t let the domainers get you down.