Two years ago, we brought to your attention a business practice that had us (and many of you) raising eyebrows. Remember that seemingly “official” letter from Domain Listings LLC? The one that cunningly appeared to be a bill demanding $228? Well, brace yourselves because, unfortunately, it seems they are still at it.
Despite our initial warning and the relentless efforts by diligent watchdogs, we find ourselves revisiting the issue. Domain Listings LLC continues to send solicitations that closely mimic legitimate invoices, causing confusion among business owners. Only this time, the stakes are higher. Now they’re asking for a whopping $288 per year for their so-called service.
Earlier this month I received a text message from a dentist asking if he needed to do anything with a solicitation he had just received in the mail from “Domain Listings” for a website listing offer of $288. He included the picture below of the solicitation. I quickly replied, “no, throw it away!”
As we stressed in our previous post, these notices are not bills. They are solicitations – an aggressive marketing technique designed to induce a feeling of obligation.
Domain Listings LLC, similar to other companies like US Domain Authority, claim to offer an annual “website listing” service. It’s a proposition that might seem valuable at a glance, particularly when you see your website domain name displayed prominently. However, let’s reiterate and underscore this point: **you do not need to pay for this service**.
To the uninitiated, these letters may seem like necessary expenses for domain name registration. But let’s clear the air: domain name registration is managed by domain name “registrars”, for instance, GoDaddy or Network Solutions. Solicitations from Domain Listings LLC or any similar entity have no bearing on your actual domain registration.
The service they’re peddling? A listing on an internet directory. Our stance on this remains as steadfast as ever: it’s not worth your hard-earned cash, certainly not at $288 or even at the previously quoted $228.
Now, you might wonder why such an upgrade in their charge within two years. Is the service better? Is it more efficient? Are there added benefits? To our best knowledge and based on our thorough examination, the answer is a resounding no.
As businesses continue to evolve in a digital-first world, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about the services we opt for. Make sure you know what you’re paying for, and always double-check “invoices” that you weren’t expecting.
Don’t let these misleading solicitations siphon away your resources. Focus on what matters – strengthening your online presence, providing value to your customers, and optimizing your real marketing strategies.
As always, we’re here to support you in navigating the complexities of the digital marketing world. For more insights on optimizing your marketing, check out our podcast, “Biz & Life Done Well.“
Remember: Stay informed, stay vigilant, and don’t be fooled by solicitations masquerading as bills.
