It’s not very often you stumble upon a domain hobbyist that has played a critical role in the innovation and automation of domain registration and web hosting services, to say the least.

But today’s guest, Rolf Larsen, not only played a critical role, but is recognized as a long-standing pioneer of Internet access, Domain name registrar and Web Hosting services throughout Europe and Scandinavia, and onto the greater globe.

The struggle is real when it comes to the buying and selling of domain names. Domain investing and development, neither one is for the faint of heart.

Domain investing has become highly competitively over the last 3 or so years — expiring domain auctions, especially with COVID putting tight clamps on gambling, a thriving industry, pushing a large number of the population into alternative investments — stock market and domain name investing.

While increased competition is one thing, there are a number of threats lurking to wipe out a domain investors portfolio and legacy as the domain industry matures.

In a recent podcast, I sat down with Michael Gargiulo, a long-time domain investor and developer, and serial entrepreneur.

If you were to peruse the list of domains owned by today’s guest, then you would likely conclude this individual is well on their way to becoming a “living legend” domain developer, if not already there in some aspects.

Having met today’s guest, Peter Askew, at Rick’s Asheville Meetup, he’s not short on life or domaining experience nor height, likely being one of the tallest, if not the tallest, domain investors and developers in the industry.

The domain industry can be quite an insular experience, especially if you don’t connect with others, attend meetups and conferences, or participate in online forums and blogs.

Then, the complexities of domain buying, selling, leasing, and development increase exponentially when adding in language barriers, time zone, cultural and socioeconomic differences.

It’s one thing to be a domain hobbyist, domain investor, domain developer, domain broker, or domain consultant within one’s own backyard, per se.

However, today’s podcast guest truly understands what it means to be a global domain investor in one of the world’s fastest growing major economy, India.

It’s the $64,000 — perhaps a million dollar — question most domain investors ask or ponder from time to time when purchasing and renewing domains.

If you’re a domain investor, and this question hasn’t crossed your mind, then you’re likely wasting money, time, and effort calling yourself domain investing.

With almost a decade of domain investing under my belt now, I’ve learned the importance of answering this question and operating my domain investing business with strict adherence to a strategic timeline for every investment.

Naming a product, service, company, or project can be very time-consuming, to say the least. In fact, sometimes, selecting a name can be more challenging than actually executing the idea.

Nothing kills the mood like checking the domain availability only to find out that someone else had your same thought and beat you to it first. Now what?

Should domain investors seriously consider “sweet spot” domain investing as a viable strategy?

This very came came to mind as I watched, listened, and reviewed Paul Nicks’ — Vice President, Aftermarket at GoDaddy — NamesCon keynote: Domain Trends & Insights.