How To Find Domain Names

Two excellent sources of domain names are forums and auction sites.

Forums

While you might think that domaining forums are full of highly experienced domainers who snap up bargains in a nanosecond… think again! There are, in fact, many valuable domains that go unnoticed in such forums.

This could be for a number of reasons. For example, the seller may not have posted enough information about the domain… Or the domain may not appear very attractive because the seller hasn’t been able to monetize it… Or the domain name and/or post has simply “slipped through the cracks”.

However, while the price of a domain name comes down to what the market will pay… its true value depends on how you can monetize it. Value is most definitely in the eyes of the beholder! If you can see an opportunity to monetize a domain name that isn’t obvious to – or even possible for – someone else, you may have a bargain on your hands.

The other great thing about buying domains is that you don’t have to buy them straight away. You can “taste” them. For example, if you’re interested in a given domain, send a message to the seller and ask if you can taste it by having them point the domain to your web server. This will allow you to get some statistics on the traffic to that domain. Based on the level of traffic – but subject to a few qualifications discussed later in this report – you’ll get an idea of how much money it might earn you depending on how you wish to monetize it. So too, you’ll be able to come up with an amount you think the domain name is worth. Of course, this should be the maximum you’d be willing to pay, not how much you offer to buy the domain for – which should be as low as possible.

Another type of post to look out for on a forum is an offer to sell a list of domain names. Unfortunately, these sellers are less likely to let you taste all their domains – especially if the domains number in the hundreds or more. But whatever the seller says about the domains… don’t believe them. You just can’t afford to take claims about traffic on face value. So presume they are telling you fibs and do what analysis you can do. I’ll be discussing some of the due diligence you can undertake below, but some of the key information to examine includes: search engine rankings, Alexa rankings, search engine links, type‐it‐in popularity, and any other data you can lay your hands on!

Auction Sites

While there are many domain name auction sites, TDNAM is good for new domainers because it tends to feature plenty of ultra low cost domains – some with reasonable traffic. Sedo tends to have high quality domains, but often at high prices.

If you’re using TDNAM, check out the names listed on the “expired” tab and sort them by traffic (click on “traffic” once, let the screen refresh, then hit it again).

Now, you do need to take these traffic statistics with a grain of salt – they can easily be inflated – but your own due diligence can reveal some hidden gems. It’s also important to make sure that the links going to the domain are relevant to the highest value use of that domain (usually based on what the domain name has most recently been used for). I know this may seem obvious, but I’ve seen many instances of domain names being used for all sorts of content. Over the years, they get links from a variety of sources. Therefore, when you see a domain name advertised on an auction site, check out where the traffic is coming from and ask yourself:

1. Is this the type of visitor I’m trying to target?

2. If I use x type of advertising on this site, is it going to be relevant to this visitor?

3. Can I really monetize it?

How To Sell A Domain Name

Apart from generating income via parking, considerable money can be made by selling domain names.

Selling a domain name may be your initial strategy… or may be a way to make money from a domain name that is no longer generating sufficient income from parking. Whatever the case, your first step in selling a domain is to offer it for sale. Many domainers list domains for sale on auction sites, however you can also post them on forums or quietly contact a professional buyer (for example, a professional domainer or a company that may wish to commercialize the domain).

If you plan to post a domain for sale on a forum such as DNForum you should, at least, include some basic information about the domain, such as:

* Full domain name (including its extension);

* Number of unique visitors over a period of time. This should be, at a minimum, the number of unique visitors for one month, and at best, the number of unique visitors over 3‐4 months; and

* Offer price.

I’ve found that if you provide more information, you’re more likely to get a higher price for the domain. By providing more information, people know you’re serious about selling the domain and are likely to take greater interest. So here are some of the extra items I suggest you include when offering your domain for sale:

1. The origin of the traffic by country. For example, 95% from the United States.

2. A breakdown of incoming links by search engine.

3. The actual links to any directories that list the domain name.

4. The age of the domain name – when was it registered?

5. A list of alternative uses of the domain name. For example: The domain name can be used as a movie title such as <insert title> The domain name is also an abbreviation for: <insert companies or things with the abbreviation>

6. If it’s a “typo domain” clearly explain what the typographical error is.

7. If the domain could possibly violate a trade mark, clearly state that. (This may protect you from possible legal action).

8. If the domain name is in a foreign language, explain what the word(s) mean.

9. If the domain name is parked, specify where it is parked and provide links to more information about the parking company.

10. If the domain name is parked and earning revenue, then post how much, what the currency is (e.g. USD or Euro) and over what time period.

11. The current registrar. If it’s one where you can push the domain name to someone else, then say so in the listing.

One final point – I don’t recommend including a “buy it now” price as this puts a ceiling on how much people will bid. After all, someone might come along and pay more. Earlier this year I planned to sell a domain name and invited expressions of interest on a forum. I thought I’d get two, maybe low 3 digits for this particular domain… but I actually got a 4‐figure offer!