Do you know the individuals who have expanded their internet domain ownership into thriving businesses through their unique niche or platform? It takes years of dedication, learning technical skills, and trial and error to achieve success. Unfortunately, domainers are often despised in marketing and developer communities due to their reputation for buying low and selling high.

The constant release of new TLDs by registrars has only contributed to diluting the market. Many domainers rely on basic monetization techniques as they lack proficiency in marketing, development, and design. It's clear that some domainers prioritize greed over adding genuine value to the industry.

It's not uncommon to discover the domain you want is already owned by someone else. This can lead to contact with a cybersquatter who demands high fees for the domain. Domainers, who manage large portfolios of domains, are often viewed as greedy and unscrupulous. However, misconceptions about domainers abound, and it's time to set the record straight.

While some domainers do earn millions from big sales, they are few in number. In reality, most domainers treat domain investment as a hobby or a supplementary source of income due to the unstable nature of the market. It takes a considerable amount of time and investment to even break even, let alone turn a profit. Additionally, most domainers view their collections as assets that may come in handy at some point in the future.

Contrary to popular belief, domaining is not an illegal activity. The distinction between cybersquatting and domaining is important, as cybersquatting involves purposefully registering a domain for the purpose of selling it to the trademark owner. Domaining is simply an investment strategy, and owning multiple domains is not in itself illegal. Only in cases where cybersquatting infringes on a registered trademark does legal action occur.

Ultimately, the perception of domainers as unethical and greedy is based on a small minority of professionals who engage in questionable practices. By shedding light on the realities of domaining, we can shift the conversation towards the many individuals who approach this practice with integrity and fairness.

While domaining has provided a substantial income, it has never been my main source of revenue. My goal has always been to create something of my own and achieve passive income that meets my expenses. However, the domain market has become increasingly illiquid since 2007, limiting the potential for profit.

Domains function like lottery tickets, with no statute of limitations and the possibility of winning at any time in the future. However, the unpredictability of returns makes it difficult to rely solely on investing in domains. While I believe the domain market will eventually regain liquidity, there are currently more interesting markets to explore. The stock market, for example, offers opportunities to profit from both growth and decline.

While it is true that there are domainers who prioritize profit over adding genuine value to the industry, it is important to note that not all domainers fall into this category. There are indeed individuals who have expanded their internet domain ownership into thriving businesses through their unique niche or platform. These individuals often possess a combination of technical skills, marketing knowledge, and entrepreneurial drive, which allows them to successfully monetize their domains.

Some domainers have built successful businesses by developing websites on their domains, creating valuable content, and driving traffic through effective marketing strategies. Others have focused on building a portfolio of high-value domain names and selling them to interested buyers at fair prices. Additionally, some domainers specialize in specific industries or niches, leveraging their expertise to provide targeted solutions to businesses and individuals.

Here are a few examples of individuals who have successfully expanded their internet domain ownership into thriving businesses:

1. Kevin Ham: Known as the "Domain King," Kevin Ham is a Canadian domainer who has built a highly profitable business by acquiring and monetizing premium domain names. His portfolio includes domains like Lawyer.com, DebtConsolidation.com, and Computer.com.

2. Mike Mann: Mike Mann is another prominent domainer who has turned his domain investments into a successful business. He founded DomainMarket.com, which offers a vast selection of premium domains for purchase. Mann has also been involved in philanthropy, using his domain profits to support charitable initiatives.

3. Andrew Rosener: As the CEO of MediaOptions, Andrew Rosener has established himself as a leading expert in domain investing. His company specializes in brokering high-value domain name sales and providing strategic consulting services to clients looking to maximize the value of their domains.

4. Frank Schilling: Frank Schilling is a well-known figure in the domain industry, having built a significant portfolio of valuable domain names through his company, Uniregistry. He has also ventured into new top-level domains (TLDs) and operates a successful registrar platform.

These individuals have demonstrated a combination of entrepreneurial skills, industry knowledge, and a keen understanding of market trends, allowing them to thrive in the domain industry. It's important to note that their success is often a result of years of experience, learning, and adapting to changes in the marketplace.