Generic or Brandable?

[capiche]

I would just like to hear other's opinions on what type of domain is the best to register. When I started this, it seemed like generic was the way to go. Still today, a lot of domainers think the value will only rise for good generic keyword domains.
Lately though, I see a lot of "brandable" types of names selling and also notice that some domainers concentrate on them.
What do you think?

 

[DOMiNIC]

Great Post Capiche.

For those who got into the game years ago there was opportunity to pick up generic terms that created natural traffic.

But when you think about it how many Fortune 500 companies or High Street Retail Chains do you see with generic names?

The problem is with having a portfolio of brandable domains is that you need a fair spread of names to stand a chance of hitting the JackPot.

You also need to have good taste in your selection. A name you may find appealing may not appeal to most companies.

I think the future is good for brandable names but you should always go for the .com as any company will want to trademark their Brand Name.

 

[Jammer]

Great Post Capiche.


But when you think about it how many Fortune 500 companies or High Street Retail Chains do you see with generic names?

That's the answer right there....ebay,sony,suburu and most brands etc etc are not generic names...they are generally made up or brandable names.
The rationale for generic names is mainly the value of type in traffic ,but that is no guarantee.My opinion is that I would first want a brandable name and then go for the generic afterwards to try to lessen the cost of advertising,if it had traffic..

 

[DOMiNIC]

I think the answer is that if you can afford to maintain a portfolio of Good Brandable Domains, then its worth investing.

You have to accept that out of maybe a hundred names only one will sell but it should be for big bucks.

A good example was fashionwalker.com sold by a member here for $17,000 to a Japanese Fashion Magazine.

I think its also good to have several domains in each category, so that if a potential buyer thinks one domain is to expensive you can offer another alternative cheaper.

Another thing to consider is China.

At this point most Chinese companies trade wholesale using Export Agents and companies like Alibaba.

The Chinese will be the biggest market for Western Brandable Domains in the future.

 

[capiche]

I think having a mix is a good option. I see so many people with 100's, sometimes 1000's, of nothing but brandable names and they are neither getting traffic or selling anything though.
I also notice when reviewing past sales on Afternic, DNJournal, etc, that there are a lot of brandable sales, some big, but most are on the lower end, whereas most of the good generic names command more money.
Also when new extensions are born, speculators and the like immediately go for the generic keywords in that extension. Since the extension is new, their is obviously no real traffic.
Thanks for your opinions guys. I would also like for some of the forum leaders and RJ to chime in if they get a chance.

 

[TUFKATH]

rep added. interesting topic!

 

[capiche]

rep added. interesting topic!

Thanks Taylor! Appreciate it.

 

[DOMiNIC]

I guess if I had a $million budget and wanted to build a great brand on the web, I would spend a small portion to get the brand name I want, registered on all extensions and trademarked, then spend the rest on relevant generic keyword domains to drive traffic to my BrandName.com

Unfortunately I don't have a $million budget.

 

[namenut]

I think a balance of niche or brandable names and Generic traffic names is the way to go for me. It seems like the "homerun" is in the niche or branded name. The consistant or generic names support the effort at the "homerun" with traffic. :imho:
Namepros has open my eyes to the domain name "big picture" were in the past mine was the niche or "homerun" target. I only wish I had found namepros years ago when I started buying domain names.
As for the china market, I agree, and hold couple of asian domain names now. I think more education on the generic names and the whole traffic revenue aspect is my next direction with a few niche projects thrown in. In reverse of my my pre-namepros days. :imho:

Happy Safe Holidays
namehut