Picking a domain name is like a first kiss — nobody would blame you for not making the best decision, but if you get a great one, it’s wind beneath your wings a lifetime over.
Never in the history of mankind have we had this opportunity: to buy a piece of land in our little corner of the world with the potential curb appeal that stretches to both sides of the equator.
There’s a reason why ParkCityRealEstate.com was sold for $60,000. Five years from now, people will understand that “steep” price. I hope you do, sooner than later. And you don’t necessarily have to spend high five figures.
How to pick domain names:
If the domain you like is available in Go Daddy, think very hard before you get it. This is a bad sign. You are not saving money by getting a domain at register price. Either the name has limited potential traffic or you’re acquiring a misspelling.
- Location, Location, Location — you are saving a ton of money when you build on a right location. Your site’s domain is your location on the Internet. Put thought and firm budget in your domain before building anything (website). You will save hundreds of hours of marketing and at least $10,000 in trying to attract links.
- Avoid branded names. (Unless you have a big idea it’ll pass like a ship in the night.)
- Buy generic names that the general public would be attracted to. Do not attach your name to your domain.
foot traffic image via shutterstockHow to buy (it’s really simple, but requires lots of emails and an ounce of negotiating charm):
- After you do your research on what kind of names you want to buy, type it in your browser and check the WHOIS data. Contact that person. Rinse and repeat for the other names.
- Buydomains.com
- Sedo.com
Sample Initial Contact Email (to send to domain owner):
Subject Line: Whatever.com ($2,500?)
Hi,
I see you are the owner of Whatever.com. I’m in the process of trying to find a domain name for a client I am building a website for and think your name could be a good fit. I am contacting different domain owners, as we have it in the budget to buy a cool name and Whatever.com is on the list we came up with.
Would you be interested in selling it for $2,500?
Let me know and I can have the funds wired to you next day or PayPal’d to you. Just let me know your PayPal address.
Thanks for your time.
-YOUR NAME
Hope you have a memorable first kiss domain.
