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?

 

[briman1970]

I'm sorry, but Dn Analyzer seems to be a parked page. Not cool :hehe:

You can download it here... http://www.download.com/Domain-Name-Analyzer-Generator/3000-2381_4-10306477.html

 

[Jackie]

120) Consider using an escrow service, especially when conducting transactions of a high value. When using an escrow service, the escrow company will act as a middle man for the transaction. The buyer will first pay the escrow company, then the seller should ship the goods (domain name). Once the buyer has confirmed that he/she has received the goods, the escrow company will pay the seller. If the seller fails to ship the goods, then the buyer will receive his/her money back from the escrow company. This helps to ensure for a smooth transaction and helps to prevent either party from being scammed. But there is a price for this convenience. Usually, the escrow company will charge a percentage of the transaction value as a transaction fee. The buyer and seller must agree prior to the transaction as to which party is responsible to pay this "escrow fee".

 

[IconPacks]

edjackiel thanks for your tips, please try and keep them as short as possible though

Here are some more from me;

121) If you own a lot of domains and have catch-all email setup on them you may be getting a lot of spam, consider turning off catch-all and have just one email address per domain (info or sales @xxxxxxx.com) redirect back to your primary email address.

122) Some domain registrars will give you a personal renewal code which can save you some money (~$1 off/domain) if you are renewing a lot of domains.

123) For commercial domains it is recommended to keep your domain name relevant to your content (don't sell skis at petfood.com for example), if a potential customer can tell what you likely sell just from looking at your domain name that's a great start.

124) Reply to anything you consider is a genuine bid on your domain name, even if it is a lot lower than you expected you can always counter with a higher offer and start a dialogue with the buyer.

125) Play this Domain Name Appraisal Game - you have to guess the sale price on 10 domains in a row, you get graded at the end and get to see the actual price the domain sold for. Playing this simple game for an hour can improve your knowledge of what domains are worth and what they can sell for.

 

[ofclean]

126) If an extension has tons of short, premium names available, that's probably because there is no demand for them.

 

[IconPacks]

127) Watch out for registrars that offer unofficial domain extensions. (e.g .shop, .xxx, .cool) these names only work with certain ISPs otherwise users need to install a 3rd party browser plug-in to see the domains.

128) Keep a watch list of potential names you are considering buying.

129) If you are unsure of a domain (especially potentially brand able ones) ask trusted friends and family on their opinion of the name(s).

 

[faisj]

130: Don't rely on organisations like greatdomains.com they only provide there opinion,
they are not screened by anyone for there work and they can't say what is a Premium Domain. You always judge a domain yourself or ask multiple opinions like here at NamePros.com
131: See The PPC Parking Guide.com for information (and signup) at PPC Parking Programs
http://www.theppcparkingguide.com/

 

[gazzip]

Bump......almost there ! :blink:

132) research your domains keyword/s in Google news, it may help to give you an idea of the potential endusers that may be interested in it.

Added > Google News Alert is handy for this, just put in your keywords !


.

 

[trlg]

86) Check domains with DN Analyzer. If a name shows as taken, go to whois.net and confirm that it actually is. Using several registrars to check for available names will result in the name being stolen by a registrar, a taster or a squatter.

sorry, but i fail to see the logic in this. Is there any special reason for trusting in (the owner of) whois.net to not do the same above any other registrar (you're saying that "Using several registrars to check for available names will result in the name being stolen by a registrar, a taster or a squatter.")? After all, whois.net is also owned by a commerical entity, verio.net. You're assuming that u can trust verio.net here? (i'm not saying u can't, btw, but... this definitely seems to be the assumption here).

 

[Dotmainer]

7) Don't register domains while under the influance of drugs or alcohol. (just say no)
8) Keep the domain length down don't over do it. On Average get 10 char domains.
9) Keep the word count down in the domain name. 3 is pushing it, 4 is overboard.


these tips are copyright to me, any use of these tips will require royties to be paid in full before use, any reproduction of these tips will be meet by a fireing line, where you will get a choice of smoking for the last time before you are shot dead. haha j/k

7) -> why not ? i dont see this as tip !

104) Invest in .info! They will become big in the near future!

104) -> this is not tip because go into .mobi section and they tell you .mobis will become big, and in .tv-section same, some others tell you just to register .com's

 

[godolphin]

133) Have a look at related keyword sales at dnsaleprice.com before registering, buying or selling domains. You will be able to gauge the demand for a particular keyword in the aftermarket and determine a ball park price for your domain name.

134) In your signature at Domain Forums list select names for sale, it does help sometimes, of course quality of the name matters too.

 

[SharonTucci]

Sharing some tips

Hey guys..... After reading the financial success thread, I thought it might be a nice idea if people who have been around domains for a bit took a minute or two or three to share one or more tips.

I'll get the ball rolling and hopefully others will chime in

Try and not be a jack of all trades when it comes to domains unless you have incredibly deep pockets to begin with. Try focusing instead on a few areas. Ones you can learn about inside and out. This makes it easier to get SOME kind of momentum going, to maximize sales opportunities, to maximize monetization possibilities, to be able to spot good deals on the acquisition side, to be able to purchase domains at a fair price that you can make an immediate profit on because you know how to best monetize or you have the benefit of volume.

 

[Spade]

My best tip would be to read read read.... If you dont know the newest and latest news or sales information, you dont know whats hot... you wont know what kind of domains to attack and you'll find your always one step behind everyone else... Try to have the forsight to see whats ahead and beat your fellow domainers to it...

 

[MinionDH]

*Focus on cashflow*

Instead of buying hundreds of names at reg fee - buy 1 solid generic name with traffic (preferably .com - be sure to avoid TMs). Park the name, save the monthly revenue, and then use the money to buy another name with traffic. If you sell the occasional domain, again, use the money to buy another name with traffic. Keep repeating and you will have solid portfolio and steady income.

"Follow the traffic. Follow the money" -Frank Schilling

 

[Damion]

A good tip i picked up in another thread a while back:

Try to spread your renewal dates as much as you can, it sucks to let domains go that you don't want to let go simply because the total of renewals in one month is to much to cope with.

 

[paxton]

Try to get the highest possible rev share from your PPC providers. Sometimes all you have to do is contact your account manager and ask politely. Other times you can "negotiate" a higher bonus for parking revenues by promising to move revenue domains that are currently parked at a competitor.

It doesn't hurt to ask, and you could find yourself making anwhere from 10% to 40% more revenue each month simply by inquiring about an upgrade.

 

[Domainate.com]

For people starting out especially, scrutinize each and every potential name you get. For every 100 names I considered good and worth registering, I registered the best 1-3 names only. Remember that there are millions upon millions of domains listed out there for sale, so for yours to stand out, they must be the best of what you can find, not just names that seem good. Yes, that means you're going to have to do a lot of research and name searching in order to build a portfolio, but it helps keep you from spending too much, from getting too many "fluff" names that really are worth reg fees or little more to most people, and ultimately you wind up just using time vs. money upfront. Then after you achieve success, you can switch it up, only buy a few names vs. registering a couple hundred, and you will be spending money to more or less save yourself time and energy and allow yourself to focus more on a couple of premium quality names vs. hundreds of okay registered ones, which can include possibly developing on one of those premium names. I'm still in transition with this myself. :P

Also, IMO if you're going to use a website to promote your own names, pick a good name to have it on. Time and time again I see people with their domains for sale on a site on an ugly domain, and they don't realize it would be akin to an interior designer working out of a poorly-designed office!

BTW, good thread Sharon...tips threads are always good and useful to people, and I like Paxton's tip and may try it out on some parking companies.

 

[Chappy]

Take risks.....

 

[bfluid]

Take CALCULATED Risks.......

 

[VURG]

I've found PremiumDrops very useful recently. Costs nothing to join. It slows down a lot but I think that part of this is because it is so popular. Join it and test it out while it's still free!

I very much agree with NameTraders "Find 100 good domains, Only register the best" philosophy. With reguard to unregistered and dropping domains, I'd also say it is useful to develope techniques so that you do that in a concentrated period so that the best are still there when you decide to get them.

Don't get too upset about the opportunities you miss. Learn from them. Nobody wins all the time. In life, you often have to lose before you win.

Buy names you like. It's just more enjoyable that way. Don't buy names you don't like just because lots of other people do.

Work out your strengths and how you can apply them to domains. Work out your weaknesses and how you can get others to help you.

Patience. You get your good months and your bad months. Spend your good months preparing for your bad months.

 

[Dotmainer]

A good tip i picked up in another thread a while back:

Try to spread your renewal dates as much as you can, it sucks to let domains go that you don't want to let go simply because the total of renewals in one month is to much to cope with.

It would be better ... ORGANIZE.
Start with excel, write down all names you bought, amount you paid for them,
and when renewals are coming.