150 Domain tips

[IconPacks]

Hi guys,

Thought it would be interesting to create a thread where everyone contributes a few tips to make a Top 150 domain tips list. Just general snippets of advice/knowledge that might prove useful to other domainers/developers out there. If we get over 150 tips I'll update the thread title.
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Rules
- only 1 sentence per tip.
- must relate to domain names (buying/selling/development etc...)
- tips not facts, so can be opinions.
- no duplicates.

I'll start, with 5 from me.
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1) Create brandable domains by replacing the first letter(s) of a common word.

2) Don't start work developing an idea around a domain that you don't yet own thinking you can grab it when you're ready!

3) Don't use hyphens in the domain if you can help it.

4) Does the domain look good in upper and lower case?

5) Say the domain out loud before registering it, is it easily pronounceable over the phone?

 

[yandig]

11) Check Google and/or Overture search results for the exact term.

 

[Spade]

Search through lists of expired domain names.

 

[NameClerk]

13. It's a good sign if PPC advertisers are bidding on the exact terms that make up your domain name.

Example: AssemblyServices.com

-Bill
%%-

 

[gazzip]

14) don't register too many at once - spread the renewal times !

Great idea Greg
.

 

[Domainate.com]

15) Limit yourself. Don't register everything that looks good, but only a select few, the best of the domains that look good. Selling domains is not as easy as it seems, even for those of us that have some success with it. Domains that are simply decent can easily get lost within the millions of listed domains out there.

16) If all your research and domainer intuition point to a successful sale at a certain level with a domain you've purchased, don't get discouraged if you don't get the level of bids you want right away. Be patient!

17) Research various different domain markets and find the one that suits you best, whether it be brandable made-up .com names, top keyword ccTLDs, or something inbetween.

18) If you really want to feature a domain at a particular marketplace, make sure it's a high-quality name that otherwise would not easily be found. Check the listing visits on your best names, pick the one with the least amount of listing views, and feature that name.

19) When you believe you have a good understanding of high quality domain names ($x,xxx or higher) and feel you have 1 or more of them, make an attempt to get those elite names into showcase/top names at the domain marketplaces you have then listed at. It's always free and can only mean more traffic to your listing.

 

[seeker]

20) Do NOT search for domains unless you can IMMEDIATELY register them once you find a suitable domain.
If you find a great name, chances are it will be gone the by the 'next' time you want to reg it.

 

[IconPacks]

21) Use acronym searchers to discover additional meaning to a domain.

22) Domain 'hacks' can add additional value if done in a clever way and matched with an appropriate extension (e.g. del.icio.us, click.it)

 

[domainer50]

23)Dont use reg fly
24)Dont be afraid of ccTLDs

 

[Skinny]

25) Buy trademarked domains At Your Own Risk and be prepared to drop it at any time.

 

[ChineseDomain]

26) Try to buy one good domain rather than to register 10 domains with the same money

 

[domainer50]

27) Do PPC research before you buy a name.

 

[RegisterRants]

28) Be ready to drop if need be
29) Don't spend more than you can afford
30) Don't make this your primary business.

 

[briman1970]

31) When partnering with someone, get your agreement in writing. Get clear agreement statements from all parties, regardless of your affiliation(s) with them. At the least, save a screenshot of all chat sessions and/or save all email discussions.

32) Don't regret a sale for longer than a few seconds. If you find out later that the name was worth much more, the buyer would've/could've paid more, etc., consider your "loss" as money well-spent on a lesson well learned.

 

[cache]

38) don't fall for appraisal scam

 

[Michelle]

39) Remember to use any discount codes when registering or renewing, this will save you lots of money

40) Check the name is not blacklisted

41) Invest in the future, the past has already been bought :hehe:

 

[HcDomains]

42) It is MUCH easier to find a sweet Domain in drop list than develop a new one by yourself



BTW, I have a Serious question here:
I am going to develop my new site DNTips.com (Plz refer the post discussion/279955-dntips-com-develop-it-or-sale.html). Can I list all Tips here as part content of my new site? Or it is against the Intelecture Property of NP (Or members who contributed to this thread) ?

 

[IconPacks]

43) If you start registering lots of domains get yourself a domain reseller account to lower the price per domain.

44) Use domain searching software for advanced domain hunting.

 

[JoeCanadian]

45) Choose your registrar carefully. You want a registrar with decent prices, a good reputation on this board and free pushes. Using a well know registrar makes it easier for people to buy from you. GoDaddy is a good choice - although you have to keep track of discount codes to get their best pricing. Moniker is also a good choice and offers discount pricing to NamePros members.

 

[shockie]

(infoicq: i think it is against intellectual property rights unless you make a note on your site saying it was taken from here)

 

[peaches017]

46) Slow down. When you find 10 solid names in your own mind, register only the best one or two.

 

[IconPacks]

47) Be careful with combining words, they might create unforeseen meanings for your domain! (e.g. Pen Island -> www.penisland.net)

48) Parking your domain can provide extra revenue when your domain is idle.

 

[Lasher]

34) Don't buy names that you don't intend to renew.

Have to disagree a little with this one, I registered FindAWII.com back in May knowing it would only be of any value during the pending console launch shortage. It has more than paid for itself 20 times over since then but probably won't get renewed and was never planned to - once there's plenty of these things on the shelves it's PPC will drop like a rock. Perhaps modify to:

34) Don't buy names that you don't intend to renew, unless they are for a specific occasion.

?

 

[IconPacks]

You guys wanna number up yours tips?

 

[domainer50]

56) Stear clear of ebay unless you have a solid name.

 

[ecalc]

57) Sales threads with the word "premium" in the title rarely offer premium names.