New, boss wants me to find specific domains...

[drat55]

I have purchased domains for my own use but have never done much domain name research before; I am not someone who plans to get into the business of buying & selling domain names.

Still, my boss wants me to do some specific research fairly quickly and I'm not sure the best way to proceed.

I have been asked to find expired domain names with certain keywords in them that were in archive.org for at least 4 years with a page rank of at least 1.

I was looking around on Sedo.com and it seems like a decent tool - I can enter those keywords, and it does have a simple domain name analyzer (think it pulls data from urltrends.com) - is this the best way for me to go, or is there a better option?

Diana
I can spend a limited amount on domain research tools if necessary - maybe a couple hundred bucks - but would certainly appreciate advice from people more experienced than I am.

Thank you!

 

[likepeas]

tried. www.domaintools.com

 

[Len]

Most anything that is over 4yrs old or was used as a website for 4 yrs with a PR1 will have been taken when it dropped. You will be extremely lucky to find something like that still floating around unregistered. I would suggest you post in the 'domains wanted' forum for something with the keywords and other requirements you are looking for. You are not committed to buying but you may see something that is ideal.
Good Luck!

 

[nielsencl]

Yeah, I'd have to ask what the point was? Anything expired may quickly lose any PR, and if the old site was on a different topic than what you have planned, well I just don't know what you would gain?

I think it would be better to buy a domain /site that is currently active and on the topic that you want for your site. If you want to PM me about the project or get my phone number I'd be happy to talk about it with you.

 

[drat55]

Well, if I can't find anything I'll let my boss know - but just yesterday I DID buy a domain name that was for sale, it was active from from 2002 to 2006, the domain name IS very relevant (in fact, it's an exact match for one of keyword phrases we pay a lot for in Google Adwords) - so the boss is pleased.

I am only looking for domains/sites with specific relevant keywords. And I must confess that I don't really understand how Google (or any other search engine) assigns value to sites that have previously been indexed, but my boss says they do. And his success indicates to me that he probably knows what he's talking about.

So far I've found a few domains - to me, the hardest part of this is figuring out what to pay. It's sure hard to assign value to a domain. I sold one of my own websites recently (for $30K) but think I just got lucky (right buyer, right time.)

 

[nielsencl]

Well, I do think that Google stores more information about domains than most of us realize, and it may make sense to keep historical data for a domain, perhaps in case the old site returns, or something equally great is placed on it again...? But it would make more sense to limit the importance of that and place more value on current content, or the history of the current "version" of the content.

Still, one cannot argue with what works and if your boss knows what he is doing by producing results, that's great!

As far as what to pay, that's easy: As little as possible as long as you don't offend someone or spend more time haggling than is worth it. What to offer and what to ask for seem to be common problems for most people. I think if you can remove the "emotion" it becomes much easier. Then it's just a matter of knowing your seller or buyer and your own business goals and limitations. Self-confidance seems to be a big key to me. Being able to walk away from a deal give you an edge. Being approached also gives you an edge. Contacting a buyer with an email address that ends with a Forture 500 domain name puts you at a disadvantage, in my opinion. They may treat you more seriously and be willing to work out a deal, but the price will be elevated.

Contacting a seller using an aol.com email address may make it a little harder to get the seller's attention, but I have to think the final price will be lower.

 

[drat55]

Good points! For me, it's a bit easier to remove the emotion in this instance cuz it's the boss that's paying, not me!

I approached someone yesterday - confusing signals as to whether a particular domain I was interested in was available - but made sure I didn't use an email address or anything that might reveal my affiliation. Good point there, too. The guy IS willing to sell, will be interesting to see what he & my boss work out (through me, I guess.)