Domain name learning process

[mstephens2013]

Has anyone else found that they have become far more selective with domain names as they go on?
I'm saying this as someone who hasn't been in the game that long. When I started, I looked at droplists and thought probably 60-70% of names were worth registering. I now find my self struggling to find a few names in a weeks worth of lists (admittedly, I only use one droplist source).
I've also found that my methods for selection have changed, I'm no longer spending hours using keyword planner but now look at the name and employ that "gut feeling", although I recognise mine won't be as finely tuned as others on this forum.
I guess I'm just thinking aloud and probably stating the bleeding obvious but would be good to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences.

 

[Murray]

I don't envy your task of trying to find worthwhile stuff to register by hand, have you had any success so far with selling anything?

What droplist are you using? domainview or dce are about as good as you're going to get for uks

You know sometimes I will look over a droplist and there will be a name I will like but I'm not sure about, so I don't load it and watch to see if anybody else catches it & if no one does I assume I was wrong it wouldn't have been worth anything..

I'm quite conscious of not wanting to end up with 100's of "maybe" domains, which is surprisingly easy to do if you just register a couple every day over a period of time.

 

[Edwin]

You're on the right track, for sure. If you're finding loads of good free to reg domains then your criteria are far too loose and you have to get much more specific.

 

[mstephens2013]

I'm quite conscious of not wanting to end up with 100's of "maybe" domains, which is surprisingly easy to do if you just register a couple every day over a period of time.

This is another reason for me being more selective!

I haven't sold anything yet but my strengthened wheat/chaff filter would have maybe only bought one or two of the names in the same position today.

I've been using the domainlore droplist, will check out the other two you mentioned.

 

[websaway]

Has anyone else found that they have become far more selective with domain names as they go on?
I'm saying this as someone who hasn't been in the game that long. When I started, I looked at droplists and thought probably 60-70% of names were worth registering. I now find my self struggling to find a few names in a weeks worth of lists (admittedly, I only use one droplist source).
I've also found that my methods for selection have changed, I'm no longer spending hours using keyword planner but now look at the name and employ that "gut feeling", although I recognise mine won't be as finely tuned as others on this forum.
I guess I'm just thinking aloud and probably stating the bleeding obvious but would be good to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences.

Do a "if I was you exercise" put yourself in the shoes of companies that could add value through your ideas.
If you use this process you avoid registering rubbish and it's a huge self education.
When you look back at your portfolio you will start to see the value you have created.
Don't only look for names that can be flipped, without experience you are going to get quickly demoralised as you try to sell your inexperience to others.

 

[mstephens2013]

Do a "if I was you exercise" put yourself in the shoes of companies that could add value through your ideas.

This is my primary criterion now, I look at the "brandability" of generic domains as opposed to EMD value. If I ring up an end user with an EMD domain I'd have to explain the benefits of EMDs, if it's "brandable" it should sell itself.

I've just started developing some of the domains, hoping to learn more about SEO if nothing else.

 

[Retired_Member39]

This is worth having a look at to get a (rough) idea of what domains have sold in the past.

http://www.domainprices.co.uk

I also use crazydomains.co.uk (not to reg domains) to have a quick browse at which other extensions the domain is taken in, these are just tools ofc.

 

[mstephens2013]

This is worth having a look at to get a (rough) idea of what domains have sold in the past.

http://www.domainprices.co.uk

I also use crazydomains.co.uk (not to reg domains) to have a quick browse at which other extensions the domain is taken in, these are just tools ofc.

Thanks, is there any reason for not using crazydomains to register domains?

 

[Retired_Member39]

Thanks, is there any reason for not using crazydomains to register domains?

They don't have a very good reputation.

 

[cc976a]

This is my primary criterion now, I look at the "brandability" of generic domains as opposed to EMD value. If I ring up an end user with an EMD domain I'd have to explain the benefits of EMDs, if it's "brandable" it should sell itself.

I've just started developing some of the domains, hoping to learn more about SEO if nothing else.

Although partly true, trying to sell a brandable domain to a business can be like trying to double glazing to someone who already has it. They have a 'brand' - why would they change?

EMDs can be a little easier simply as they can rank easier than brandables, not by as big a gap as there used to be - but still a gap, plus for offline marketing it's easier to remember a company if the domain is what you're looking for - plus for online advertising your add can be more clickable if your domain is the product / service being searched for

I remember trying to pitch a webdesigngeo.co.uk domain with good local exacts - and even the 15 companies I approached didn't see the benefits (even though 20% were bidding on the keyword). Some asking why they would need the domain as they already 'had a brand'

It's a difficult industry that is laden with a lot of rejections. Best advice would be to try, if you have the time and skills, to develop a good brandable / generic to Page 1 of G for a nice keyword. You'll have resell and advertising opportunities and much easy to sell a benefit that a hopeful benefit

 

[scottmccloud]

I find it much more useful to look at a domain from the points of view of why I WOULDN'T register it. Saves you a fortune.