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discuss Have you figured the logic behind brandables?

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Arpit131

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I have always wondered how to differentiate a good brandable domain name from a bad one?

Is it only the pronunciation that is responsible for its value?
Are there any other factors that differentiate a good one from another?
I see some average names sell for $4000 or so while some good ones receiving no offers at all.


Your insights would help in understanding this better!
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
I have always wondered how to differentiate a good brandable domain name from a bad one?

I think brandables are highly subjective. I will share my own domain as an example.

L I T E G R A P H .com

I think it is a great brandable for tech niche. But, one of the premium brandable domain market recently rejected it. Here are few reasons why I think it is a good one.
  1. I can imagine it being a good fit for several technology niche. Example - Cryptography based startups
  2. Short and Easy to remember.
  3. Easy to pronounce with good flow of words.
  4. I would be proud to have this name on a visiting card.
  5. The prefix word "Lite" has a lot of sales on namebio with average sale price of $1,883 and so does the word "graph".
BUT, it is a rejected one. Do you think that I lost my confidence on the name because a "marketplace" rejected it ? NO Sir. Absolutely not. There could be a lot many things going wrong under the hood, we will never know. Ultimately, one must know what he is doing.

PS - If you can, please state some names you consider are good but are not getting offers. Maybe they aint that good after all. Same logic may apply to names that you think are average/bad.
 
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I don't think there is anything bad about brandables. It's the best bet for individuals/startups/companies who can't shell big amounts on real word/keyword domains and need to have social media handles available for their businesses.

Most of my tiny little portfolio contains brandables or more specifically hybrid domains. I really really like them, and that's the only stuff I can afford to purchase from auctions or hand reg them.

But the main drawback of brandables is that there is no specific end-user market for them. It's like aiming in the dark. Brandable marketplaces are the only platforms to get them sold. Very few domainers might be able to sell them through outbound/inbound.

I once had an end user inbound enquiry for two of my brandable domains from the same organization. I quoted them low 5 figures because they were a very big international company and shelling this out shouldn't be bothersome to them.

Then later I realized that they were just individuals trying to create a startup using the big companies' name and using another extension of the trademarked company.

I tried to explain to them the importance of renaming their existing company and trying to show them worth of brandable and all. But they insisted that they could not shell more than 3 figures for the domains.

I agreed since I had few renewals coming up and just when I sent them the invoice, they backed out saying that they needed an aged domain with high DA, PA , backlinks and press releases from big companies like Bloomberg and other big media companies and very high established traffic like thousands in a day or so.

They wanted it all for 3 figures. Explaining to them wasn't fruitful because I had spent already an entire day in my inbox to educate them about how to brand their upcoming startup.

I am sure 1-2 years from now they will regret their decision to turn down this golden opportunity.

Yes, some lame names sell for high 4 figs while great names go into expiration. Although I have no idea of the secret sauce to sell them regularly, I see a few domainers sell them on eBay for around $500 on daily basis.

I am too trying to hunt a method to sell them on autopilot. not looking for very big profits, but a low-mid 3 figures of regular profits should make me happy.

I will be watching this thread to see if an expert brandable seller would throw some tips or tricks to get them sold like hot cakes.

Thanks.
 
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It’s value is based on if someone wants to buy it or not—simple as that. I see really mediocre brandable names sell all the time. There is no way to predict end user or investment domainers taste in names. All very subjective.
 
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What I know is that the world of brandable domain names made me a better domainer.

In fact, the reason I don't buy rubbish domains anymore is that, "focusing on brandables", but you gotta work with branding experts, marketplaces etc, observe & learn.. BB & the others.

Enjoy it too..
 
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Brandables are the only types of domains where I can't figure out the difference between golden and trash names.

I steer clear of them.
 
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Should be memorable easy to pronounce and understand with proper spellings. They are not for reselling.
 
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I would argue that brandables are the most difficult area to become expert in, and as such they should not be something tried early in a domain career. It does seem very subtle sometimes the difference between what sells for mid 4 figures and what never gets a single query. I suspect there are strong cultural differences, so what is a good brandable in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, North America may be very different..

I can see the attraction of brandable marketplaces for startup owners, and I think we will see more of them. I actually see room for more brandable marketplaces, including those that concentrate on a single country code and on other extensions.

I am currently reading a rather great book called Logo Savvy that despite the title and beautiful logos has 300 cases from around the world with branded names. I am going to when finished write a review on NameTalent on it.

I think all of us dabble a bit in brandables, but it is one topic I feel I know so little about them. Thanks for the thread and I hope more will respond.

Bob

ps in case not obvious, my short response to the title of the thread is "No" :xf.wink:
 
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I have always wondered how to differentiate a good brandable domain name from a bad one?

Is it only the pronunciation that is responsible for its value?
Are there any other factors that differentiate a good one from another?
I see some average names sell for $4000 or so while some good ones receiving no offers at all.


Your insights would help in understanding this better!
A brandable is top when you remember it even if you don't understand it(s value / price).
 
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For me, a great brandable name is:

- Short or relatively short. Most often 4-9 letters.
- Easy to pronounce and remember
- Sounding and looking good.
 
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I am still trying to understand what a brandable is.

Some say it's a made up word, like Google.

Some say it's a mix of words, like Instagram.

Some say it's a dictionary word like, Apple.

Some say it's not a geo, but what about Amazon. (Well never mind this one, but you get the point)

If someone can explain exactly what a brandable is, please do.
 
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There are many types of brandable: invented like Google, Twitter - 2 words like MicroSoft, Instagram - Dictionary word used as brands like Apple, Pillow and so on, so I don´t think anyone can explain exactly what a brandable is.
 
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I think the word itself explains it well as in, a brandable name is a name that gets 'branded' on people's minds connecting that made-up name with the company the name is attached to.

We, as domaineers, can do more than sell a domain, we actually materialise a company's 'existence' in people's minds. That's why brandables are so valuable imo.
 
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I have always wondered how to differentiate a good brandable domain name from a bad one?
....
Your insights would help in understanding this better!

Have you figured the logic behind brandables?

Don't Look For Logic!
:) (>>> Be original)

The #1 Brand of the early 90's was (?) Lollapalooza > FYI: Originally a highly successful tour, not just one major city.


```
Interesting Fact: The word “Lollapalooza” itself dates back to the late 19th century and literally means “an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.”
https://consequenceofsound.net/2017...apalooza-lineup-from-worst-to-best/full-post/
 
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I think the word itself explains it well as in, a brandable name is a name that gets 'branded' on people's minds connecting that made-up name with the company the name is attached to.

We, as domaineers, can do more than sell a domain, we actually materialise a company's 'existence' in people's minds. That's why brandables are so valuable imo.

Thanks for the insight. I think I have this in mind when I registered this name:

BitGol.com
 
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I am still trying to understand what a brandable is.
(...)
If someone can explain exactly what a brandable is, please do.
I can explain exactlyyy what "brandable" means - at least in myyy thoughts / words:

Everything* that is considered by someone in every way** as suitable to turn it into a brand***.

*This can be a ("natural" = "real", "normal", "common", ... or an "artificial" = "made up", "abstract", "conceptual", ...) picture (photo / graphics) / text (which can then also be used as a domain name for example) / audio (one or more sounds) / video (film, animation) / object (different materials) / fragrance / flavor / ... or a combination of (some or even all of) these.

**subjective (personal views about how "marketable" it is) + objective (brand - / tm - laws)


***In other words, every existing brand was considered as "brandable" by someone before it got "branded".

The limit is the
skyyy
 
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brandable by definition 'is the ability to become a brand'

so, what brandable domainers are doing is selling a name that potentially can be used to name a company, product or service.
 
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HAHA, this is a great post - it really shows the diversity of opinion on brandables.

Wish I could say I was an expert - I'm not, but my good sales (2.5K+) are always brandables.

According to, 2 reputable sources BB & BP, I am "right" about 20% of the time hahahaha. in the last 6 months I have had about equal sales on BB & Afternic - so I guess I would put myself at about 35% of an expert?
 
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Ask yourself if you have a tin ear. gunkwhizz(.)com doesn’t work on any level. Neither do topstrangler(.)top or trafficwalker(.)com. All available, if anyone would like. I liked trafficwalker for a hot second, and then wondered about the market, which is a) people who walk in traffic, live to tell about it, and are also interested in watching themselves or others walking in traffic (i.e. develop it), or b) brand-seekers. With almost 8 billion people on the planet, I still don’t like my odds. Words and stuff don’t make a brandable name. Brands usually aim for a positive and evocative rather than descriptive name which is expansive enough for growth aspirations, e.g. Elon Musk’s reasoning why teslamotors(.)com was restrictive.
 
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If you can absolutely positively beyond a shadow of a doubt visualize someone naming their company your exact name then its a good brandable. Period.
 
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110% agree with you...

tho, there are always those one-off head scratchers you see sold and think - what were they thinking!
 
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I am too trying to hunt a method to sell them on autopilot. not looking for very big profits, but a low-mid 3 figures of regular profits should make me happy.

I will be watching this thread to see if an expert brandable seller would throw some tips or tricks to get them sold like hot cakes.

Thanks.

It's a tough niche for regular income. Maybe some expert can share their views who is actually making this.

I am currently reading a rather great book called Logo Savvy that despite the title and beautiful logos has 300 cases from around the world with branded names. I am going to when finished write a review on NameTalent on it.

ps in case not obvious, my short response to the title of the thread is "No" :xf.wink:

Looking forward to your review. Kindly share the link with us! Looks like we can learn from the gist of the book.
HAHA, this is a great post - it really shows the diversity of opinion on brandables.

Wish I could say I was an expert - I'm not, but my good sales (2.5K+) are always brandables.

According to, 2 reputable sources BB & BP, I am "right" about 20% of the time hahahaha. in the last 6 months I have had about equal sales on BB & Afternic - so I guess I would put myself at about 35% of an expert?

Can you share more insight on the types of name you pick up, where do you pick up from(or hand reg) and more?
 
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Looking forward to your review. Kindly share the link with us! Looks like we can learn from the gist of the book

I will for sure post the link in this thread. I have finished reading it, and jotted down some ideas, but like a book to bounce around in my head for a little while before doing a published review, so it will still be a while though. Thank you so much for your interest.

Bob
 
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given the fact all domain is try to become a brand, it is too big tpoic, so firstly, i want define the context here on brandable domain..

company use say, water.com as its brand, it is great, but this is not the brandable i am talking about, deepwater.com also can use as a great brand....it is also out of my definition of brandable domain....we normally call it two words domain...

so, the brandable in this reply means some letter combination while not a real word or words combination, but people still think it suitable as a brand...

with this definition...I list some logical in my mind:

the lenth...4-5 is my own rule...
the voice ...pronouceable or semi-
the pattern ...looks good, may have repeat letter, may be looks just like a real word , or only contain short letter as an addtion quality(refer to my other reply.question)...
the meanning...may suggest some kind related meaning while u look it...

write too much....comments welcome...
 
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I'm just trying to get into this brandable names game, and already I am becoming frustrated by the selection processes at the marketplaces.

One selection criterion I have decided upon is a "telephone test". If I don't like the idea of picking up a telephone and saying the domain to a customer as a company name introduction, that idea gets shelved.

The advice I was given on starting out was to keep to 6 letters or less for made-up words, look for a niche (like weed or bit) if >6 letters, put two words together for a semi-memorable combination (eg. jellypepper, recently sold), or look for a name that is one letter different to a dictionary word. BB do seem to like "two sibilant syllable" names, but they rejected two of mine recently. And all that spiel about "we like foreign" - I tried some of those and they no likee.


As an aside, BB's star premium domain this week is DAZ.com, price $450k . You would need a brass neck to use it for anything, I would think ...
 
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