jtchris

Everything I read concerning domain value is related to current traffic, ease of spelling, amount of words etc. Even domain name appraisals will use such criteria to value.

While I can understand that an existing name would bring more $$ if sold, I've also seen some high dollar names sold that to me just doesn't make sense as to why the sold price was so high.

Obviously if you have a certain name and someone wants it they would be willing to pay more but some of these I can't imagine why the $$ is so high.

An example is AdolescentDepression.com which sold for $1938.00. To me this domain, while it's specific about the topic it's also difficult to spell in relation to ease of use.

There are numerous 3 word names that sell for some rather high dollars as well, at least high in my opinion.

Guess this is more of a comment than a question but I'd be interested in others opinion of this topic.

JT

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snoop

You are missing three of the most important criteria when analyzing a keyword domain,

-keyword popularity
-extension
-keyword value

The other key one, traffic, you have identified though really it is related to the first two criteria above. Difficulty of spelling and number of keywords is of lesser importance that the factors above. Number of keyword is to a degree a flow of of keyword popularity, longer terms tend to be less popular and are generally less likely to be typed in as domains which is a major reason why bigger sales are skewed towards shorter domains.

AdolescentDepression.com is a good name. You've knocked in terms of being difficult to spell but that is like knocking a Lotus because they break down a lot, it has other excellent attributes. In terms of a domain, most things are right with it.

yandig

Excellent observations!

What I've noticed is that it doesn't seem to matter if a domain is long or hard to say --- as long as it contains the right keywords. Look at recent auction sales, and you'll see lots of 3-word or even 4-word domains going for fairly big bucks.

I sold a name in the last Moniker silent auction that wasn't my best domain by far, but it had good, applicable keywords.

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krx

Snoop, I wonder if you or others could elaborate on your methods for determining each of these factors (save extension which is self evident), especially keyword value and traffic. I'm guessing keyword popularity means OVT and google/yahoo results, yes?

SimpleDomaining

well, when it is about generic domains, it does not matter how long they are. Domain above is generic because of the terminology, which mean , that the words combination in this case is natural. Generic domains are hard to find, and they are expencive.

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jtchris

All important points and I agree Snoop about the AdolescentDepression.com being a good name. It's certainly relevant to the topic and although I haven't checked the keyword popularity I would assume it's at least fair.

Perhaps that wasn't a good example. There are numerous names that are not even remotely indicative of the name. LLL names are a prime example unless it's a very popular term such as USA or TLC which of course are easily recognizable.

I just don't see how someone will pay an above average price for a name that doesn't have keyword popularity or is related to the site topic.

Perhaps if I figure that out I'll get rich..

sdsinc

It's not all about length but memorability.
Each sale is unique... sometimes an average domain gets sold for good money just because the end user wanted it.
This can be misleading to the newbies because they may be led to think that every mediocre domain can sell for big bucks. It just ain't true.

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Porte

When we try to valuate a domain, we should do some sorting. We will find many cases and possibilities.

Pattern Domains such as LLLL; and its brands CCCC CVCV, VCVC, etc. and Market already set price for these combo's.

Short and Brandable such as 5-letters domains

Keyword-based Domains such as FootballNetwork.com, WebDesign.com, so on.

Estimating a Value depends on:
_Length, sound, memorable?
_General, specific?
_One word, two words, more?
_Market Growth? A domain related to Real Estate is not like a domain related to Funny Games
_Keywords popularity (for keyword domains only) Google results for the keywords, OVT, searched times.


Let us add an important factor; which may let a domain worth $100, get sold for $1000

In bold; Demand on the Domain; End-User; What the Buyer is willing to Pay; the Importance of the domain for the Buyer

Though; sometimes it's misleading. How?
You read a domain that contains 3 words get sold for a few thousands. And you go search for similar ones (And plenty are still free) but you get no where close to that price. This is what we have to name Demand and Supply

The basic layer of all markets, beside all evaluation tools, and it's very important. There is no rule or conditions; all domain appraisals are pre-valuations, does not certainly mean they get sold for that price.

fenal

Regarding Keyword Value, im guessing that people check out google ads an such things to get a rough guide of a keywords value but generally how stable do keyword values stay? do they tend to stick at similar numbers for a while or is it something that someone should go by at the current values and with the hope of them staying similar?

snoop

Acroymn names are a different kettle of fish to keyword names. Corporate enduser potential, rarity, letter quality (inc pronounability) and extension are the main factors.