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Meet a Domainer: Andrew Allemann, DomainNameWire.com

Sunday, 15 August 2010 22:48

Name: Andrew Allemann

Birthday: Nov 5
Age: 32
Website: DomainNameWire.com and DNWStats.com
Current City: Austin
Forum nickname(s): austinandrew or DomainNameWire

About my company: I have a number of business entities, under which I operate several different sites. The oldest one is Domain Name Wire, which I started in March 2005. Recently, I launched DNW Certified Stats, a tool that makes it easy to share domain name parking stats.

Best development project: I like to think I develop businesses rather than web sites. But right now all of my "development" time and passion goes into DNWStats.com.

Best domain sale: Without disclosing the domain, my top sale was for about $25k. It was a term for a category of software, and I bought the domain name for about $5k.

Then there are the "almost sales", where someone offered me much more and started making payments, then backed out. Those have taught me to never count money until it's in the bank.

Hobbie(s) (besides domaining): I spend much of my time with my family, including my 3-year-old daughter and wife. I also like watching baseball (go Cardinals!) and running. And of course concocting new business ideas.

1) How did you start in the domain industry?

I got started back in 1997. I was in college at The University of Texas and wanted to create a web site. Naturally I needed to register a domain. From there I decided that domains were an interesting play, so I started registering them. Back then it was $70 to register a domain name, which was some serious beer money. So unfortunately I didn't register as many domains as I should have. While still in college I started a business doing domain name appraisals. After graduating I did domain investing on the side.

I then started Domain Name Wire in 2005, but had a full time startup I was working on, so it was in the back seat. A couple years ago I switched exclusively to the domain name industry.

2) What was your career or job before entering into the domain industry?

After college I worked for a software company and then a telecom company. But I was never thrilled; I was more excited about the entrepreneurial ventures I did on the side. In 2005 I finally pulled the plug, left corporate America (with my boss at the time) and started a technology licensing company. I learned a lot in that venture. The company is still around and has a lot of Fortune 500 clients, but I'm no longer involved day-to-day.

3) What do you feel is the best aspect about the domain industry?

The camaraderie. I like hanging out with everyone in the industry. It's collegial. It's fun.

4) What do you feel is the worst aspect about the domain industry?

The domain industry is still fairly small and doesn't get much respect outside our circles. It's not viewed as professional. To be fair, at times certain parts of the industry have been unprofessional, which has kept the industry from becoming what it could be.

I'd also say the industry can be like lemmings, always trying to jump on the latest fad even after it's already dead.

And don't get me started on why domainers haven't taught themselves about the rest of the internet marketing industry, and just go around saying "they don't get it".

5) Who are your role models in the domain industry? Who are your role models in life?

I don't know that I have any role models in the industry. I've never thought about that. There are a handful of people that I admire, such as Frank Schilling. Here's a guy who's made a ton of money in the industry and he's happy to share what he's learned. He's a class act.

Outside the industry, I admire all entrepreneurs who've taken a stab at a new business. Regardless of if they succeeded or failed, it takes serious guts. Better to fail than to not even try.

6) What monetization methods do you focus on the most?

I like trying alternative monetization methods, such as Octane360. I've had plenty of experience with rapid site building as well, but I'm not convinced that creating sites quickly to be monetized by PPC will ever be a sustainable business.

7) Where do you believe the domain industry will be in one year?

I think we'll see some of these alternative monetization strategies really delivering results by then. This could change the types of domains people are buying and selling.

We'll also be talking about new TLDs, which won't be available yet but will be on the horizon.

8) What advice would you give newcomers?

First, don't believe everything you read.

Second, create your own path. If you try to copy everyone else, you're probably too late. Do something innovative. Bring something you learned from another industry and apply it to this one.

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Comments (3) Add comments

MIchael Castello August 16, 2010

Andrew's DomainNameWire is one of the top domain news sites and one that I read regularly. He is dedicated to his trade and has a true grasp of the workings of this space. Enjoyed reading the article Tia. You should do more of these.

TiaWood August 16, 2010

Hi, Michael. In addition to that, I commend him for what he is trying to do with DNWStats which I feel is a much needed service. Thanks for the comment. More articles like these are already in progress.