When trying to get paid in the domain space you have to offer something that is a must have. Now many tools get a few subscribers but it also motivates others to create a free tool that offers similar features.
The latest site out there that is moving to a paid model is ZFBot. A post on Namepros mentioned that the site was now going to cost $10 a month.
Hookbox posted:
You have got to be kidding me. I can understand charging 10 bucks a month for a service that actually gives you 10 bucks worth of tools but come on ZFbot you are not there yet.
In the thread there is a reference to Ramped.com charging from the start and a couple posters felt that pretty much ended interest in that website.
Of course Domain Tools caused a ruckus last year when they raised their prices.
Domain Tools situation was a bit different, for one, they really didn’t care if they kept domain investors, they are looking for bigger clients at the enterprise level.
DomainIQ.com fills the void for Domain Tools in my opinion. (I am a paid subscriber).
Secondly they offered a lot of tools that domainers use. Not just one product like ZFBot.
GenericDomainFinder.com was another free service that just woke up one day with a dialog box. I would have never paid for that service, sorry it’s just not that valuable.
There are many free alternatives to a lot of tools out there. Recently Domain Tools wanted to take another jab at domain investors and make a paid Domain Tools membership mandatory for access to DailyChanges.com.