discuss Aesthetics and Domaining

[ThatNameGuy]

For the purpose of this discussion, here is Websters definition of aesthetic; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetic

Until NP Member Bob Hawkes mentioned "aesthetics" recently in regards to the domain Epik.com i hadn't given it a whole lot of thought. The more I think about it, aesthetics is everything! If something isn't appealing to the eye who's going to buy it? And this goes for words that can even be sexy

Although "aesthetic" is a long and somewhat awkward word, it's appeal/meaning had me registering four domains using it; 1 for Domains, 1 for Brands, and 1 each for Graphics and Logos.

As they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and good looking domains sell better than ugly domains.

Comments?

 

[Ategy]

There are tons of factors at play when it comes to domains .. how they visualise on screen or on a billboard/ad most definitely is one of them, even if it's a less obvious one.

I'm not sure if there have been any studies on this, but I think it's fair to say that word/brand geometry can play into the memorability factor. Words can also be made to look "cool" with certain fonts or logo techniques.

How important it is can differ greatly depending on the growth strategy of the potential business.

It's a little more relevant when it comes to shorter brandables.

That being said, just because a domain looks good does not mean it's a good domain .. and vice verse. It's simply one small variable that comes into play in the overall evaluation. I certainly wouldn't go out buying domains with the primary justification only being that they "look good".

Ironically "Aesthetics" is a horrible word on many fronts including in terms of actual aesthetics, and also just spell-ability.

Readability, is a bit similar when a 2 word domain has the end of the first word and start of the second word have the same letter. If it's a really good domain, that's never been a real deterrent for me, but there are some domainers who strongly avoid such domains. Again .. simply one of many variables.

I can't remember the actual term that was used, but I know this has been discussed before.

 

[karmaco]

Aesthetics is important but the problem is opinions on what is aesthetically pleasing varies from person to person regarding everything including domains. It has to appeal to someone enough to buy it. Other things factor into that appeal. Sometimes it just boils down to being “liked” and its price and nothing else. People have different standards and budgets.

 

[ThatNameGuy]

Aesthetics is important but the problem is opinions on what is aesthetically pleasing varies from person to person regarding everything including domains. It has to appeal to someone enough to buy it. Other things factor into that appeal. Sometimes it just boils down to being “liked” and its price and nothing else. People have different standards and budgets.

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/pantone-color-classic-blue-2020/index.html

This is why details like colors are so important. For an old guy I'm in to things like fashion, art and style. Most people can tell the difference between beauty and the beast. The more beautiful the domain the easier it is to sell. And keep in mind, "Sex Sells" even if it's subliminal.

For me, this is why "outbound" and "AI" are so important for success. Thanks for commenting, and Happy New Year to ya! Oh, i do like your Avitar/Moniker....Aquarium scenes are aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, not to mention soothing and relaxing. Good Luck!

 

[Winfluence]

Great topic...

I sometime think that 2 words that end and start with the same letter can definitely be unattractive and confusing, for sure... Like for example whiteelephant.com, basssystems.com, blackkitchen.com, grasssnake.com, etc

I have seen decent keyword combinations and avoided regging or purchasing them for that very reason...

 

[ThatNameGuy]

Great topic...

I sometime think that 2 words that end and start with the same letter can definitely be unattractive and confusing, for sure... Like for example whiteelephant.com, basssystems.com, blackkitchen.com, grasssnake.com, etc

I have seen decent keyword combinations and avoided regging or purchasing them for that very reason...

Using your examples sometimes you see them like this; whitelephant.com blackitchen.com I think those work aesthetically, but where the three "sss" come together, I don't know what you can do for that. Thanks

 

[Winfluence]

Using your examples sometimes you see them like this; whitelephant.com blackitchen.com I think those work aesthetically, but where the three "sss" come together, I don't know what you can do for that. Thanks

Those kinds of domains are just no-goes for me, unless it's exceptional like casinoonline, cryptootc, otccrypto...removing the double letter is not professional and requires extra explaining...

 

[BaileyUK]

I'm one of those that have constantly probed and commented on the 'Word Art' of domains. The term Aesthetics, while technically correct will probably require a dictionary look-up by many NP's members.

I think a lot of members have a creative streak that allows to not only be creative in word combinations but also recognize when a combo has visual appeal also. This of course particularly applies to Branding and not to generics (unless used for branding)

There is a formula that I have followed since day one back in 1999 and I have always focused on product and business names in the main.

1. What is the product or business concept that I am trying to name
2. What two words will give me a visual balance in each word length.
3. Can I enhance the visual appearance by substituting a particular word in the Combo
4. Never ignore the Global appeal of a word, avoid local or County limitations of spelling or term.
5. Surprisingly perhaps, but certain letters are far better at dividing word pairs than others, while others create flow. Curved lettering, Capitalization, Blending all play their part.
** I could probably stretch this list to about 20 that I subconsciously use, I'd have to have a long think and write them down

My success has played out in identifying new products ,markets that had yet to fully develop but to my mind were just a matter of time. My best examples were in touchscreen technology and future apps. while we were still using cathode ray screens and the word App would probably be recognized as a shorten term for Yapp.

There are other markets that I found I could explore because of my background and knowledge of the markets. Apply creativity to the markets you Know NOT, ones you don't is my key advice.

 

[ThatNameGuy]

I'm one of those that have constantly probed and commented on the 'Word Art' of domains. The term Aesthetics, while technically correct will probably require a dictionary look-up by many NP's members.

I think a lot of members have a creative streak that allows to not only be creative in word combinations but also recognize when a combo has visual appeal also. This of course particularly applies to Branding and not to generics (unless used for branding)

There is a formula that I have followed since day one back in 1999 and I have always focused on product and business names in the main.

1. What is the product or business concept that I am trying to name
2. What two words will give me a visual balance in each word length.
3. Can I enhance the visual appearance by substituting a particular word in the Combo
4. Never ignore the Global appeal of a word, avoid local or County limitations of spelling or term.
5. Surprisingly perhaps, but certain letters are far better at dividing word pairs than others, while others create flow. Curved lettering, Capitalization, Blending all play their part.
** I could probably stretch this list to about 20 that I subconsciously use, I'd have to have a long think and write them down

My success has played out in identifying new products ,markets that had yet to fully develop but to my mind were just a matter of time. My best examples were in touchscreen technology and future apps. while we were still using cathode ray screens and the word App would probably be recognized as a shorten term for Yapp.

There are other markets that I found I could explore because of my background and knowledge of the markets. Apply creativity to the markets you Know NOT, ones you don't is my key advice.

Hello Bailey and Happy New Year. You're correct about the term/word aesthetic, but that didn't stop me from regging DomainAesthetics.com and LogoAesthetics.com. I know they're worth the cyberspace they take up, but they make me feel closer to the action I rarely mess with tech type names because most technology is way over my head. That said I do/did reg a couple of domains; Hitech.homes and Hitech.golf and I can assure you I know ZERO about each although Hightech.golf led to Laser.golf.

With regards to App, I'm not sure if this is important or not, but I did reg 9Time.app not knowing what I was doing, but it appears we will be developing an App for 9Time once we get a little capital.
That's it for now Bailey. I wish you and your family well in 2020, and many decades beyond

 

[Reddstagg]

Good morning,

I'm from an era when spilling and grandma were impotent. Now I get down wid da kidz and shorten everything except my domain names it seems.

Love them or loathe them, but surely hyphens and hyphenated words would increase the aesthetics of a domain name.

For example:

whiteelephant.com
basssystems.com
blackkitchen.com
grasssnake.com

would then become:

white-elephant.com
bass-systems.com
black-kitchen.com
grass-snake.com

There were a many more hyphenated words when I were a lad and all of this was fields.

We even knew what an acronym was.

What if the person you are trying to sell to was also of an era when words were hyphenated? You may find that if you don't include the many facets of word and phrase aesthetics in your domain names you may be reducing the size of your end user.

Reggardds,

Reddstagg