Domain Vertical Portfolio
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A strategy of acquiring and monetizing domain names in specific verticals, particularly focusing on VPN review and comparison sites. The example shows how Comparetech.com built a highly profitable business through this approach.
Key Points:
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Business Model:
- Review and compare VPNs on dedicated websites
- Generate revenue through affiliate commissions when visitors purchase VPNs
- Focus on high-quality, targeted content for specific verticals
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Comparetech Example Results:
- Revenue: $12M trailing 12 months
- Profit: $10M
- Traffic: ~1M visits per month
- Exit: Sold for approximately $200M
- Timeline: Started in 2015
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Key Success Factors:
- Simple website design (doesn't need to be sophisticated)
- Focus on SEO to drive organic traffic
- High-margin affiliate business model
- Targeted vertical (VPN services) with good commission rates
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Operational Approach:
- Write comprehensive VPN reviews
- Include affiliate links to various VPN providers
- Get commission kickbacks from whichever VPN the visitor chooses
- Maintain relatively low overhead costs
This business model demonstrates how a focused domain strategy in a specific vertical can create significant value despite relatively modest traffic numbers.
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.