Valuating domains BEFORE you buy them?

[GoPC]

Is there a good, solid way to estimate a domain's value BEFORE you pick it up? I mean, I've read over and over where someone has posted a domain here or on another forum to assess its value and then one (the fastest one of the bunch) goes and register's it out from under the poster.

That aside, what ways can you get a general feel for what a domain might be worth before you buy it.

EDIT - Please no references to OVT scores and searching with or wothout quotes on Google... Please, something more tangible and less interpretive. If it exists :D

GoPC

 

[fonzie_007]

You're probably not going to like my answer... but...

When dealing with longer domain names that contact full words, I generally ask myself 4 questions:
1) What extension is the domain I'm looking to reg
2) What is the likelihood someone's going to type in this particular domain (i.e. what's it's potential traffic)
3) What is the potential value of selling this domain to an end-user/reseller (TM issues included in this)
4) How valuable are the parking keywords

Of course, they are very subjective questions and you can use different tools to help you answer them. Generally, if I feel I can at least get 2x my regfee back on the domain, I may reg the domain.

 

[GoPC]

WRONG!!!!

I do like your answers

Thanks!

GoPC

 

[fonzie_007]

Glad to hear the subjective nature of my answer didn't tick you off...

 

[Damion]

I would primarely take the end user perspective in mind. Think if you where a end-user for the domain in question would you be interested?

Sometimes it's the descriptiveness that is a deciding factor, making the domain memorable and therefor adding value. (Value depends on the industry)
Does it hold Type-in traffic potential?

A descriptive domain also ads a little prestige and status in some instances making it valuable for a end-user.
Afterall the domain would be unique in it's kind.

In the end it's the final and payed bid for a domain that decides true value for a domain.

 

[GoPC]

Based on your post(s), I invested in these domains today:

EasyLendMortgage.com
QuickCreditLoans.com
FastCreditService.com
QuickCreditService.com

1) What extension is the domain I'm looking to reg? All .com - Check!

2) What is the likelihood someone's going to type in this particular domain (i.e. what's it's potential traffic)?OVT shows the terms searched and Google shows nice hits for them. Direct type-in, I've never been able to figure that, but it seems good... I found them by typing the terms into Google.

3) What is the potential value of selling this domain to an end-user/reseller (TM issues included in this)? High, I think. Credit and Mortgage domains are usually pretty good movers, aren't they?

4) How valuable are the parking keywords Good here too... the keywords are very valuable. Good PPC revenue potential or Google Adsense/YPN

Descriptiveness Very good I think... The point of these domains is well established and obvious.

Your thoughts? AM I on the right track?

GoPC

 

[yandig]

Here's the formula that I use for domain valuation:

Reg. Fee (usually around $7)
+ (15 - domain length) ^ 4
- (price of oil / number of vowels in domain)
+ $7500 if domain is .biz
- day of month x 9
+ 1000 x number of big-pocketbook domainers within shouting distance

That should give you a good starting point for your valuation. I would allow a modifier of 2 or 3 % depending on the actual distance of the big pocketbook domainers.

 

[fonzie_007]

EasyLendMortgage.com
QuickCreditLoans.com
FastCreditService.com
QuickCreditService.com

You should be able to recover at least 2x regfee for those IMO. You're on the right track.

 

[GoPC]

2x huh? That's it? Not the best news I suppose. I'm just looking at the PPC payouts on Loans, Credit and Mortgage sites and thinking what kind of revenues that should mean. I see more than 2x potential. But. maybe I'm worng.

But thanks anyway. I appreciate your candor.

GoPC

 

[fonzie_007]

I'm not giving a firm appraisal, I'm just saying that at the very minimum, you should be able to double your money from those domains. The sky's the limit...

 

[GoPC]

I realize that. Thanks again.

It would just be nice to read that a domain was "worth $xxx,xxx MINUMUM" for a change LOL!

Anyway, I'm going to develop and take advantage of the many, many affiliate, PPC and Adsense payouts available for these high paying markets.

Wish me luck.

GoPC

 

[Damion]

Good luck

 

[GoPC]

EDITED - Oops... miswrote the domain. LowPercentageRate.com (not Interest). Sorry... apparently still saused.

I just reg'd LowPercentageRates.com and got some feedback that the name didn't describe anything specific, so it was worthless. Perhaps another dud? I envision this one as a place to go for low interest rates on homes, cars, loans, whatever.... Branch out into different catagories from there.

Even though I was extremely tired (and a bit sauced) when I found it, I still think it's a pretty good name.

Anyway, thanks again guys.

GoPC

 

[gazzip]

LowInterestRates.com is a very nice one IMO

Did you just hand reg it ?

If urltrends info is correct it was previously reg'd Since April 7th, 1998

PageRank: 1/10
Alexa Rank: Not Ranked

Incoming Google Links: 0
Incoming Yahoo Links: 1
Incoming MSN Links: 0
Incoming Alexa Links: 1
Overall Incoming Links: 2 (Overlap is possible - Estimated 2 unique links)
Outgoing Links: 22 (Ratio: 0.000% - Each Link Receives Approx. 0.039 PR) [ View History ]

Page Information:
Title: Lowinterestrates.com
Description: Lowinterestrates.com

Online Since: April 7th, 1998


Nice and I did'nt mention Over**** :hehe:

I would definetly develop that one similar to creditcards.com, as far as I know credit card companies pay good money for new sign ups, set up lots of affiliate links


.

 

[GoPC]

Sorry Gazzip... I mispoke. It's LowPercentageRates.com (not Interest).

Sorry about that.

GoPC

 

[gazzip]

Sorry Gazzip... I mispoke. It's LowPercentageRates.com (not Interest).

Sorry about that.

GoPC

Ahh well, it would've been a sweet one for a hand reg LOL


.

 

[Source]

To augment my esteemed colleague "Fonzie", there are two minor additions to his list and yours (ovt + google). If the name is a cctld keyword and you are buying it on the express notion to flip it for a profit, it's a good idea to insure there will be a potential audience for your sale or site, especially if the reg fees are $NN.

While no technique is 100% perfect, I have found that a quick search of the keyword in Sedo is a worthwhile test. If the name returns other cctlds with good traffic and bids, this you can improve your level of confidence / odds of making a sale.

Additionally, if your name is a solid / good "fit" for the cctld, this too will increase your odds of regging a winner. For example, one name sold recently was NSFW.tv. Perfect for dot tv. No so great as a dot cc.

This two tests along with google and ovt have been a recipe for success for me in predicting strong cctld keyword purchases.

 

[GoPC]

What is a "hand Reg"? I suppose this is the opposite of a "_______" Reg? If so, what is this technique?

GoPC

 

[gazzip]

Hand registered by you - ie: Not bought in a drop or from someone else


.

 

[gou]

Here's the formula that I use for domain valuation:

Reg. Fee (usually around $7)
+ (15 - domain length) ^ 4
- (price of oil / number of vowels in domain)
+ $7500 if domain is .biz
- day of month x 9
+ 1000 x number of big-pocketbook domainers within shouting distance

That should give you a good starting point for your valuation. I would allow a modifier of 2 or 3 % depending on the actual distance of the big pocketbook domainers.

That's actually pretty interesting...