What I read about domain names in a day
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Since buying my first domain name, I got very interested in the business surrounding domain names (domaining). So yesterday, spend some time to learn more about the domain names. First thing I learn is that anyone coming into domaining now is about 5 years too late. Most (99%) of the generic names (weather.com, transport.com, books.com, etc.) were taken when shrewd investors snap up great names during the dot com bubble burst. So, if you come in expecting big money, you have to be extremely far-sighted or very creative in thinking up new names. Second thing is that even parking your domain names in Google adsense filled pages will only give you small change (after the yearly renewal fee and hosting fee). The key is still thinking up good creative names.
Below are some resources I use to research on the topic.
Domain Names Forums
www.webhostingtalk.com
Namepros.com
www.namefaqs.com/
In these places, you can ask questions and read up on different aspects of domaining. Namepros.com is especially good and most of the veterans there are helpful.
Keyword search
tools.seobook.com
www.wordtracker.com
adwords.google.com
To choose a good domain name, you have to research thoroughly. All these tools except wordtracker.com are free. But from what I have read, wordtracker is the best keyword search tool in the business.
Domain names search
instantdomainsearch.com
www.bustaname.com
Use these to find domain names that are not taken. 9 out 10 keywords you type in are already taken. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Dropped names
www.premiumdrops.com
Here is a website that will allow you to search names that have expired or going to be expired. There are some nice names to be found here, but you have to ask why do the previous owner allow it to be expired. You can also filter by pagerank or Alexa rating to know whats the traffic like before.
Domain Name Registration
www.1and1.com
www.godaddy.com
Self-explanatory.
Parking of Domain Names
www.parked.com
www.sedo.com
On these sites, you can park your domain to earn some cash. The reviews at Namepros.com says that parked.com pays a higher rate.
Domain Valuation
http://estibot.com
http://leapfish.com
Domain name appraisal guide
Type in your domain name to let them estimate the value of your domain. Blogmunch.com is currently worth USD$220.00 at estibot.com and USD$43.00 at leapfish.com. Take everything with a pinch of salt.
Domain names story
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2005/
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/
Now, if you decide to go into the business, here are some inspiring stories to motivate you.
So, there you have it. All that I have learn in one day. These information is by no means comprehensive, as there are lots of knowledge to be gain still in domaining. But I think this is a good starting point. Okay, got to go think of my own domain names. No peeking.