Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Detailed Review
Domain Tools
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Product Overview
Introduction to Dan.com
Dan.com, formerly known as Undeveloped, is a domain trading platform that simplifies the process of buying and selling domain names. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Dan.com is designed to make domain name trading easy, fast, and secure. The platform facilitates the buying and selling of domain names, providing a transparent and user-friendly environment for domain traders.
Target Audience
The primary target audience of Dan.com includes domain investors, web developers, and individuals or businesses looking to acquire or sell domain names. The user base is predominantly male (69.19% to 70.67%), with the largest age group being 25-34 year olds.
Key Features
- User-Friendly Interface: Dan.com aims to make domain trading accessible to everyone by providing a straightforward and easy-to-use platform.
- Transparency: The platform emphasizes transparency in its operations, ensuring that users can trust the process of buying and selling domains.
- Domain Management: Dan.com allows users to manage their domain portfolios efficiently, including the use of their nameservers for over 900,000 domain names.
- Sales and Traffic: The platform generates significant traffic, with around 1.5 million unique visitors per month and $2 million in monthly sales. It also offers features like installment plans and rental options, which are not commonly available on other domain marketplaces.
- Search Algorithm: Dan.com uses a sophisticated search algorithm to rank domain names and sellers, ensuring that users can find relevant domains quickly.
- Global Reach: The platform attracts traffic from various countries, with the United States being the top country, followed by India, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Overall, Dan.com is a streamlined and transparent domain trading platform that caters to the needs of domain investors and individuals looking to buy or sell domain names efficiently.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Updates
Dan.com has introduced a new user interface that focuses on usability and efficiency. Here are some key features:
- Portfolio Management: The platform has a completely revamped and advanced way of managing domain portfolios. The interface is designed to be spacious yet space-efficient, with a focus on scannability. This allows users to find and update their domains more quickly.
- Sorting and Filtering: Users can now sort their domains by extension, which is helpful for managing and updating pricing or removing expired domains. There is also an infinite scroll feature, eliminating the need for constant page clicks.
- Bulk Actions: The interface allows for bulk actions, enabling users to change pricing information, sales page settings, and other details for multiple domains simultaneously.
- Domain Ownership Verification: Dan.com has introduced a new verification nameserver that is accepted by all registrars, making domain ownership verification more straightforward.
Ease of Use
The platform is designed with ease of use in mind:
- Improved Aesthetics and Layout: The interface is divided into different sections to make it easier and faster to find the necessary information. Users can change the for sale page template of a domain directly in the overview.
- Categories: An upcoming feature will allow users to group domains into categories and apply different settings to each category. For example, users can create a category for high-priced domains and apply a specific sales page type (like BIN Make Offer) to those domains.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by several factors:
- System and Infrastructure Upgrades: These upgrades have resulted in faster load times and an improved user experience. The system also includes better search engine indexing.
- Safety and Security: Dan.com emphasizes safety, with a system that monitors all transactions and prevents fraud. Each transaction is manually reviewed, and the company ensures that all employees are thoroughly screened for expertise and moral character.
- User Feedback and Support: While there have been some negative experiences reported by users, such as issues with transaction handling and customer service responses, the platform generally aims to provide a hassle-free experience for buying, selling, and transferring domains.
In summary, Dan.com’s user interface is streamlined for efficiency, with a focus on making domain management and trading as simple and intuitive as possible. The platform continues to evolve with new features aimed at improving the user experience.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Key Features and Functionality
Dan.com Overview
Dan.com, formerly known as Undeveloped, offers a range of features and functionalities that make it a versatile and efficient platform for domain management and sales. Here are some of the key features and how they work:
Domain Categories
Dan.com allows users to create custom categories to group their domain names. This feature enables easy organization, making it simple to access or edit high-value domains quickly. Users can categorize their domains in any way that suits their needs, enhancing portfolio management efficiency.
Portfolio Management Improvements
The platform has seen significant improvements in portfolio management, including optimization for mobile and tablet screens. This ensures that users can manage their domain portfolios effectively across various devices. Additionally, features like hiding columns help customize the portfolio view, making it easier to manage on smaller screens.
Advanced Sorting Options
Users can now sort their portfolios based on “recently viewed” domains, which, although it may take a few seconds for large portfolios, provides a more personalized view of their domain inventory. The portfolio views column is also updated more frequently to reflect user activity.
Domain Listing and Sharing
Dan.com has optimized the preview functionality for domain listings and sharing. When users share their domains on social media or with others, a default preview is displayed, enhancing the visibility and presentation of the domains.
Automated Domain Ownership Transfer
The Domain Automation Network, powered by blockchain technology, automates domain ownership transfers, making the process faster, safer, and more transparent. This network also supports new domain purchase and use models such as renting domains, lease-to-own, and fractional domain ownership.
Hybrid PPC for Sale Page Template
Dan.com introduced a new Hybrid PPC (Pay-Per-Click) for sale page template that has significantly improved conversion rates, with pages converting about 80% better than the previous versions. This template also enables backlinks and subdomains to increase PPC traffic and income.
Enhanced Security
The platform has implemented an alternative text message (SMS) 2-factor authentication (2FA) method, providing an additional layer of security. Even if users have already enabled 2FA via an authenticator app, the SMS 2FA can serve as a backup method.
System and Infrastructure Upgrades
Dan.com has made significant system and infrastructure upgrades, resulting in faster load times, decreased bot traffic, and an improved user experience. These upgrades also enhance search engine indexing, making domains more discoverable.
Inventory Sanitization
The platform features a daily monitoring system that keeps the inventory clean by deleting confirmed dropped or expired domain names. Sellers receive an email notification regarding the deleted domain names, ensuring the inventory remains up-to-date.
API and Integration
Although Dan.com is shutting down its integrator API in September 2024, this API had previously allowed third-party integrations to offer domains for sale outside the Dan platform. The API was crucial for creating multi-platform listing managers and integrating with other domain marketplaces.
User-Friendly Settings and Edit Pages
The platform has introduced a more user-friendly way of making changes in settings and individual domain edit pages. This includes a clear and intuitive interface for editing domain details and settings.
Technological Innovation
While Dan.com does not explicitly highlight AI-driven features in the domain tools category, its use of blockchain technology and automated processes indicates a strong focus on technological innovation to streamline domain management and sales. However, specific AI-driven functionalities are not detailed in the available resources.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Performance and Accuracy
Automation and Efficiency
Dan.com has made significant strides in automating domain name processes using IBM Blockchain technology. This integration has enabled the automation of domain transfers, lease-to-own options, and other complex transactions, which were previously manual, time-consuming, and often involved intermediary brokers. This automation has increased the efficiency of domain transactions, allowing for over 3,000 transactions per month per escrow agent, a substantial improvement from the previous 300 transactions.Transparency and Public Ledger
The use of blockchain technology provides a public domain transaction verification ledger, which replaces the outdated WHOIS database. This ledger ensures transparency by tracking domain ownership and legal liability, reducing the risk of legal challenges associated with domain rentals and leases.Domain Pool and Inventory Management
Dan.com has created an unused domain pool to aggregate inventory from various sources, making it easier for users to find available domain names. This shared inventory system enhances the overall efficiency of the domain market by centralizing unused and available domain names.Scalability
The blockchain solution implemented by Dan.com is highly scalable, capable of handling 600,000 transactions every half hour. This scalability is crucial for future-proofing the platform and supporting a large volume of transactions.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
User Experience and Platform Integration
Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the platform, such as the need for manual editing of listings (e.g., changing to camel casing) and the lack of an option to keep domains unlisted or not for sale. These issues can be time-consuming and may lead some users to migrate their domain names to other platforms.Security and Ownership Verification
There have been concerns about domain name listing by scammers after users remove their names from Dan.com. Although the platform does not support fast transfers, which mitigates some scam risks, the issue of unauthorized listings remains a concern. Improving ownership verification processes could help address this issue.Integration with Other Platforms
Dan.com’s recent merger with Afternic may bring about changes in how the platform operates and integrates with other domain marketplaces. Ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining or improving the current level of service will be crucial for user satisfaction.Conclusion
In summary, Dan.com has significantly improved the efficiency and transparency of domain name transactions through the use of blockchain technology. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in user experience, security, and platform integration, which need to be addressed to maintain user trust and satisfaction. Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Pricing and Plans
Commission Structure
As of February 1, 2023, Dan.com has a revised commission structure:
- 15% commission for domains sold that are pointed to nameservers at Dan, Afternic, or Uniregistry. This applies regardless of where the domain sells on the network or through the landers directly.
- 25% commission for domains sold that are not pointed to these specified nameservers.
Financing and Payment Plans
Dan.com offers financing options that allow buyers to pay over an extended period:
- Buyers can pay over up to 60 months. Previously, this was limited to 12 months.
- For payment plans extending beyond 12 months, a premium is added, ranging from 10% to 30%. Half of this premium is shared with the seller, and the other half goes to Dan.com for managing the payments and escrow.
- The minimum monthly payment under installment plans is $99.
Lease to Own
For Lease to Own transactions, Dan.com has unified its commission and service fee structure with Afternic:
- Sellers can receive a commission discount based on the number of months selected for the Lease to Own transaction. For example, a 37-month term can result in a 0% commission rate due to a 15% commission discount.
Additional Features
- GoValue Pricing Tool: This tool, powered by GoDaddy’s machine learning valuation model, helps sellers estimate the value of their domain names and set Buy It Now (BIN) prices more effectively.
- BIN Pricing: Sellers can set or modify BIN prices for their domains using the GoValue tool, with the flexibility to adjust prices within a range of $0 to $25,000.
- Category Management: Sellers can categorize their domain name portfolio for easier management and tracking through the addition of a ‘Category’ column in the ‘For Sale’ view.
- Brandable Template: Sellers using the brandable template can now choose to display or hide the domain name on the landing page image to better showcase the domain’s logo.
No Free Options or Tiers
Based on the available information, there are no free options or tiered plans mentioned for using Dan.com’s services. The pricing is primarily based on the commission structure and the use of specific nameservers.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Afternic
One of the key integrations is with Afternic, a prominent domain resale network. Dan.com users who are opted-in for the distribution network have their domain inventories automatically integrated into the Afternic DLS Network. This integration does not require setting up an additional account, ensuring greater exposure for the domains without extra hassle. However, if domains are already listed on Afternic, those listings will take precedence over the Dan.com integration.
In a more recent development, Dan.com is in the process of migrating its platform to Afternic. Users can self-migrate, auto-migrate, or opt out of the migration process via the Migration Center on their Dan.com dashboard. This migration allows users to leverage Afternic’s features, such as Lease to Own, Custom Lander, and Custom Checkout Link, which have been developed in collaboration with Dan.com.
API Integration
Dan.com offers an API-first integration through its API Partnership Program. This program allows partners to integrate Dan.com’s domain distribution network into their own platforms with ease. The API handles all aspects of domain transactions, from payment collection to ownership transfer, and charges a fixed 10% fee per transaction. This integration is customizable to match the development resources and needs of the partner, enabling them to build their own UI and manage their domain sales options effectively.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
The platform ensures that transactions can be accepted on any device, making it versatile for different business models. This means that whether you are using a desktop, tablet, or mobile device, you can smoothly buy, sell, and transfer domains through Dan.com. The unified market created by the Open Distribution Network bridges the primary and secondary domain markets, providing access to a large pool of unused domain names across various devices.
Enhanced User Experience
Dan.com has also enhanced its buyer control panel to improve the user experience. Buyers now have full access to their payments and invoices, while resellers and recurring customers can manage all their transactions and negotiations within a single panel. Additionally, the platform has introduced more automation, such as Latin characters validation and automated domain transfers, to make the process smoother and faster.
Overall, Dan.com’s integrations and compatibility features are aimed at making domain trading easier, more efficient, and accessible across different platforms and devices.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Phone Support
You can contact Dan.com’s customer service using their toll-free number at (844) 951-2224. Other phone numbers include (737) 218-6046 and 3 120 244 1097.
Email Support
Dan.com responds to emails quickly, with an average response time of 20 minutes on business days and 45 minutes on weekends. You can reach out to their customer service, jobs, media, or opt-out of marketing emails through their contact page.
Live Chat
Live chat support is available from Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 10:00 PM (CEST).
Additional Resources
Help Center
Dan.com has a comprehensive help center where you can find answers to many common questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can submit a form to inquire further.
Domain Brokerage Services
Dan.com offers a brokerage service that helps with domain negotiations. Their experienced brokers can handle the negotiation process, ensuring transparency and the best possible price for your domain.
Domain Transfer Service
The domain transfer process is highly automated and convenient. The Domain Transfer Team is well-trained to handle any type of transaction, including questions about payments and technical transfers.
Corporate Office and Other Locations
For more formal inquiries or visits, Dan.com has offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Athens, Georgia, USA. You can find the exact addresses on their contact page.
Engagement and Support
Dan.com is committed to providing fast and dedicated support. Their brokerage service, for example, allows you to submit brokerage requests directly from your transaction window, ensuring a fast and easy automated process with transaction transparency.
By utilizing these resources, users can ensure their domain buying, selling, and transfer processes are smooth and well-supported.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Pros and Cons
Advantages
User-Friendly Interface and Streamlined Process
Dan.com offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes listing and selling domain names easy, even for those who are new to the process.
Variety of Selling Options
The platform provides multiple selling options, including fixed-price listings, auctions, and a brokerage service for high-value domains. This flexibility allows sellers to choose the best approach for their domains.
No Listing Fees
Dan.com does not charge any fees for listing domain names, making it a cost-effective option. You only pay a commission if your domain sells.
Transparent and Fair Commission Model
The platform operates on a commission-based model, ensuring transparency and fairness in transactions. For payments, Dan.com charges a relatively low fee of 9%, which is one of the cheapest in the industry.
Passive Income through Rentals
Dan.com allows you to rent out your domain names, generating passive, recurring income without the need to sell the domain. This can also help the domain acquire traffic and SEO benefits due to development.
Detailed Analytics and Reporting
The platform provides detailed analytics and reporting tools, enabling you to track the performance of your listings and make informed decisions about pricing and marketing strategies.
Disadvantages
Potential Misuse by Renters
When renting out a domain, there is a risk that the renter might use the domain in ways that the registrant might dislike, even if the terms of use include general references to abuse.
UDRP Risks
Even nominal use by a third party could trigger a UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) scenario, which can be problematic.
DNS Propagation Issues
Short-term rental periods can trim off a minimum of 48 hours for DNS propagation, which may inconvenience the buyer.
Impact on Future Sales
The domain’s acquired backlinks and traffic during rental periods can become recorded metrics, potentially complicating a future sale.
Commission Fees
While the fees are relatively low, there is still a cost associated with using Dan.com for transactions, such as the 9% commission fee for payments.
By weighing these pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether Dan.com is the right platform for your domain management and sales needs.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing Dan.com, a prominent domain marketplace, with its competitors, several unique features and alternatives stand out.
Unique Features of Dan.com
- Domain Listing and Management: Dan.com offers a user-friendly platform for sellers to list and manage their domain portfolios, including easy price setting and control.
- Comprehensive Domain Search: Buyers can utilize a streamlined search process to find domains, and the platform is integrated with Afternic’s distribution network for broader market reach.
- Customizable ‘For Sale’ Pages: Sellers can create mobile-optimized ‘For Sale’ pages to attract buyers.
- Lease-to-Own Option: Dan.com provides a lease-to-own option, which is facilitated by their use of IBM Blockchain technology to automate domain transactions, including leasing and renting.
- Blockchain Technology: Dan.com uses IBM Blockchain to automate domain transfers, ensure transparency, and handle a high volume of transactions efficiently.
Alternatives and Their Key Features
Odys Global
- Verified and Vetted Domains: Odys Global offers brandable, premium-aged domain names that have been checked for SEO value, clear history, and quality backlinks. This platform is ideal for those seeking domains with guaranteed quality and post-purchase support.
- Customer Support: Odys provides full support on domain value, TLDs, and domain transfer processes, along with in-depth research on niches and affiliate marketing strategies.
Sedo
- Large Marketplace: Sedo is the world’s largest domain marketplace, catering to startups, companies, and individuals. It offers services like domain parking, professional trading, and brand protection through domain acquisition.
- Global Reach: With over 2 million customers in more than 150 countries, Sedo provides a broad platform for buying, selling, and parking domains.
Uniregistry
- Comprehensive Management Tools: Uniregistry offers a range of tools for searching, filtering, registering, managing, transferring, and organizing domains. It also includes a market access feature for purchasing, listing, and selling domains.
- Dedicated Support: Users benefit from dedicated account managers with years of industry experience, helping to increase revenue from domain investments.
BigRock
- Extensive Domain Registration: BigRock is an ICANN-accredited registrar with over 6 million domains under its management. It provides efficient domain search engines and a wide range of web presence solutions.
- Web Hosting Services: BigRock also offers various web hosting services, making it a one-stop-shop for domain name needs and web hosting.
Google Domains
- Variety of Domain Endings: Google Domains allows users to choose from over 300 domain endings and includes features like email forwarding, privacy protection, and DNSSEC. It also offers 24/7 support and integrates with Google Workspace.
- Simple and Secure: Google Domains provides DNS servers running on Google infrastructure, ensuring speed and security.
Choosing the Right Platform
Each platform has its strengths:
- Dan.com is ideal for those looking for a user-friendly platform with low transaction fees and advanced features like lease-to-own options, facilitated by blockchain technology.
- Odys Global is better for those seeking vetted, premium-aged domains with strong SEO value and excellent post-purchase support.
- Sedo is suitable for those needing a large marketplace with global reach and various domain-related services.
- Uniregistry is great for users who require comprehensive domain management tools and dedicated support.
- BigRock and Google Domains are good options for those looking for a combination of domain registration and web hosting services.
When deciding, consider your specific needs, such as the type of domain you’re looking for, the level of support you require, and the additional services you might need.
Undeveloped (now Dan.com) - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Dan.com
Q: What is Dan.com and what services does it offer?
Dan.com is a platform for buying, selling, and managing domain names. It provides a range of services including domain sales, financing options, portfolio management, and integration with other domain marketplaces like Afternic and Uniregistry.
Q: How does the domain financing option work on Dan.com?
Dan.com allows sellers to offer financing options to buyers, enabling payments to be spread over up to 60 months. For plans extending beyond 12 months, a premium is added, ranging from 10% to 30%, with half of this premium shared with the seller and the other half going to Dan.com for managing the payments and escrow.
Q: What are the commission rates for selling domains on Dan.com?
As of February 1, 2023, Dan.com has increased its base commission rate to 15% for domains sold through their platform when pointed to nameservers at Dan, Afternic, or Uniregistry. If the domain is not pointed to these nameservers, the commission rate is 25%. However, importing your own leads continues to operate at a 5% commission rate.
Q: How can I manage my domain portfolio on Dan.com?
Dan.com offers several portfolio management features. You can create and manage custom categories to group your domains, hide or show specific columns to customize your view, and use new sorting options such as “recently viewed.” Additionally, the platform has optimized portfolio management for mobile and tablet screens and introduced features like a parked domain filter and more frequent updates for parked statuses.
Q: What security measures does Dan.com have in place?
Dan.com has implemented several security measures, including a new alternative text message (SMS) 2-factor authentication (2FA) method in addition to the existing authenticator app 2FA. The platform also notifies users of login attempts from new IP addresses and has added additional account security measures to protect user accounts.
Q: Can I integrate my domains with other services on Dan.com?
Yes, Dan.com allows integration with other services such as GoDaddy CashParking PPC pages, which can be used directly on your domains. Additionally, opted-in domains are added to Afternic’s DLS network, increasing the visibility and sales potential of your domains.
Q: How does Dan.com handle domain transfers and payouts?
Dan.com has automated domain transfers and payouts to make the process smoother and faster. The platform uses Dan bot automation to streamline these processes, ensuring that transactions are handled efficiently and securely.
Q: Are there any new features for sharing and categorizing domains on Dan.com?
Yes, Dan.com has introduced features that allow you to share custom categories with buyers, making it easier for them to browse through your domains. You can add these categories to your public seller store for better visibility.
Q: How often are portfolio statistics and parked statuses updated on Dan.com?
Portfolio statistics and parked statuses on Dan.com are now updated more frequently, ensuring that the information is more accurate and up-to-date. This includes more frequent syncing of parked statuses and generation of SSL certificates.
Q: What if a buyer defaults on a financing plan on Dan.com?
While the specific details of handling defaults are not outlined in the available sources, it is important to review the agreement between Dan.com, the seller, and the buyer to understand the terms and responsibilities in case of a default. It is recommended to check the terms and conditions provided by Dan.com for such scenarios.