Domain valuation - Are we wrong?

[kaz2]

Hi all

From reading the threads on this forum it appears that a high valuation for a domain name is based one high overture count for keywords, numbre of google searches etc.

The problem I have is that if you look at the list of domains sold for over $10,000 in the DNJournal it appears that most of the high value domains, if typed into overture and google have neither (1) a high overture count or (2) a high google count. In fact, some of them have very little in terms of results and, worse still, NIL type-ins with the dotcom extension (this is allegedly a key factor in high value domains).

Now, does this mean that methods recommended for selecting domain names are a bit wide of the mark or am I missing something here? My feeling is that the key issue is really, above everything else, value in the eyes of the end-user and not value based on keywords, google, overture etc.

If I am, apologies, as I am still a newbie and keen to learn more.

Thanks.

 

[kaz2]

slobizman, what is your feeling on a scenario like the following: the name landguide.com is taken but the name landguides.com (plural) is available. Would you consider it worth registering the plural if it was an attractive name with a large potential market (I have used fictitious names but they represent a situation I have come across).

 

[deb]

read, watch, listen and educate yourself about the future. anticipate and have vision. i dont worry about all that google stuff any more. two very healthy $xx,xxx sales in the last 2 weeks and both with few references in google and few unique clicks per month.

 

[kaz2]

read, watch, listen and educate yourself about the future. anticipate and have vision. i dont worry about all that google stuff any more. two very healthy $xx,xxx sales in the last 2 weeks and both with few references in google and few unique clicks per month.

Thats great stuff deb! Can I ask how long you had held these names for and how did you sell them - was it via an auction with Sedo or Afternic or did you market them yourself?

(I am asking how long you held them for because I have had a previous poster refer to the fact that people sometimes sit on a name for a very long time until the right buyer comes along.)

Thanks deb!

 

[markfromslo]

slobizman, what is your feeling on a scenario like the following: the name landguide.com is taken but the name landguides.com (plural) is available. Would you consider it worth registering the plural if it was an attractive name with a large potential market (I have used fictitious names but they represent a situation I have come across).

If it is a very strong name AND it makes sense as a plural, then I would do it if the cost is not high. You can always offer both to the buyer for a premium, or sell each one to two different buyers; and after you've sold the first one, if you get lucky and the buyer makes a popular site you can collect parking revenues on people keying in the wrong singular/plural version of the name.

 

[deb]

Thats great stuff deb! Can I ask how long you had held these names for and how did you sell them - was it via an auction with Sedo or Afternic or did you market them yourself?

(I am asking how long you held them for because I have had a previous poster refer to the fact that people sometimes sit on a name for a very long time until the right buyer comes along.)

Thanks deb!

both about 6-8months and i was approached directly. i find mostly tire kicker offers at sedo.com. serious end users contact u directly as they already have that particular domain in mind so you have better bargaining power :imho:

i dont use afternic :td:

 

[kaz2]

both about 6-8months and i was approached directly. i find mostly tire kicker offers at sedo.com. serious end users contact u directly as they already have that particular domain in mind so you have better bargaining power :imho:

i dont use afternic :td:

Thats interesting deb. Can I ask you why you don't use Afternic and, if you don't list them with either Sedo or Afternic how were you able to get your names out into the marketplace? How did the buyers know the names where for sale?

 

[deb]

Thats interesting deb. Can I ask you why you don't use Afternic and, if you don't list them with either Sedo or Afternic how were you able to get your names out into the marketplace? How did the buyers know the names where for sale?

i use sedo and some others. i dont use afternic because (i cant say)

i have some very average domains as well that i thought were good when i registered them 3 years ago but they pay for themselves in parking so i hold onto them in hope

oh, and the parking pages indicate that the domain "may be for sale" so the enduser can contact me directly which is actually the best way :imho:

 

[kaz2]

i use sedo and some others. i dont use afternic because (i cant say)

i have some very average domains as well that i thought were good when i registered them 3 years ago but they pay for themselves in parking so i hold onto them in hope

oh, and the parking pages indicate that the domain "may be for sale" so the enduser can contact me directly which is actually the best way :imho:

Thanks for that deb - apart from sedo, who else have you used? I have some domains parked but they are doing too well traffic-wise. Only 1 is averaging 10 unique views a day bu with no clicks - this is down to the fact that Sedo will not let me put a more appropriate keyword that fits with the search queries; consequently, their own keyword throws up non relevant ads. It's very frustrating!

Is 10 views a day good for a non-optimised parked domain - is it worth developing and applying SEO for more traffic?

 

[deb]

Thanks for that deb - apart from sedo, who else have you used? I have some domains parked but they are doing too well traffic-wise. Only 1 is averaging 10 unique views a day bu with no clicks - this is down to the fact that Sedo will not let me put a more appropriate keyword that fits with the search queries; consequently, their own keyword throws up non relevant ads. It's very frustrating!

Is 10 views a day good for a non-optimised parked domain - is it worth developing and applying SEO for more traffic?

i hear domainsponsor.com are good and im looking at changing over in a few months

i DONT recommend sedo for parking, but do recommend them for selling, they are No1 in the sales field.

10 uniques isnt much, try it with another parking company. :imho:

 

[kaz2]

i hear domainsponsor.com are good
10 uniques isnt much, try it with another parking company. :imho:

Thanks deb, that tip is much appreciated; I'll try domainsponsor. Does the amount of unique visitors depend entirely on the keywords set for the domain or does the keyword value of the name come into it at all?