Friday, November 23, 2007

Important Advice For Domain Owners Hoping To Resell Their Domain Names

Important Advice For Domain Owners Hoping To Resell Their Domain Names

By Edwin John

Have you ever wondered how successful domain speculators sell their domain names?

I recently interviewed some big names to learn their secrets. Due to the length of the discussion I have had to break up the entire conversation to several segments.

We begin our exclusive 6 part interview series with the following question.

"What is the most important advice you would give to new domain owners hoping to resell their domain names?"

Our panel includes:

Michael Collins (VP Marketing, Afternic.com),
Zane Lawhorn (President, 1 Domains International, Inc),
Michelle Miller (COO BuyDomains.com)
Daniel Mejia (DomainsBot.com),
Stewart Reynolds (EchoArts.com)
Joe Devlin (ToGoDotCom.com)
Robert S. Kieren (NameProdigy.com)
DomainSpa.com
Andrew Allemann (WebMasterExpert.com)
William J. Piniarski (Owner of Webcs.com,Time2Sell.com)
Michael Green (Marketing Guru & Founder, HowToCorp.com)

Joe Devlin: Do your homework. Know what makes a domain name valuable and have a plan before you register a domain. A domain name is in essence a business card to the world. Match the message a domain name can send with a business that needs to send that message and you have created value.

Andrew Allemann: Don't buy too many domains before you sell one or two. You may not be buying quality domains and may never sell them.

Stewart Reynolds: Have your domain names appraised to find out which names are the most valuable. Then have the most valuable domain names pointed to a page where prospective buyers can contact you. On that page post your asking price and request offers.

Michael Collins: I guess it would seem self-serving to say list them at Afternic, but letting people know your domains are for sale is the first step. There are many ways to promote your domain for sale. Listing them on leading domain name exchanges and putting a for-sale notice on a website hosted on your name are among the best. Set a reasonable price. The biggest mistake I see is overpricing. There are many people who think their two and three word generic domains with limited market size are worth tens of thousands of dollars. If you do not have successful experience selling names, consider a reputable appraisal service. You have to be careful with appraisals too. Many appraisals are inflated to entice people into marketing relationships.

Michelle Miller: Price the name realistically and use a trusted broker BuyDomains.com offers a 100% FREE listing service that allows anyone to post their domain for sale. Our site gets over 50 million hits a month, instantly giving individuals the opportunity to gain free exposure and sell their name.

About the Author: Edwin John is an author and webdeveloper His ebook "How I Sell My Domain Names" ranks #1 on Yahoo and Clickbank. http://www.OpenForSale.com Find out if your domain name is wanted: http://www.DNames.org Free domain name tools http://www.DomainName-Search.com Would you like to know more of what these experts say. Visit: http://www.OpenForSale.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

How to profit from expired domain name registration.

How to profit from expired domain name registration.


After the dot com crash, expired domain names and expired domain name traffic have been a source of potential income. It is important to inexpensively obtain the automated tools required to track the thousands of domain name registration and abandoned websites that are removed from the domain registry and become available for purchase.

Expired domain registration and the expired domain name traffic associated with them have been only available to those who had an automated system and tools.

Now, automated tools and resources are available for identifying, appraising and even buying these domain names on autopilot.

Expired domain names are those that had previously been registered to another owner. These domain name registration are available to the open market because of non-payment of the domain name renewal fees. Such domain names are returned to the open market about forty-five days after the expiration date.

Many domain names even point to fully functioning websites while many are registered for speculation. These names are registered by speculators in the hope of obtaining a profit on the resale of the domain name.

Numerous other domain names are registered for website development, but do not appear online. In a number of these cases, the domain name owners do not follow through with respect to the website development and allow the domain registration to expire.

However, there are a number of expired domain names with fully functioning websites, receiving daily traffic from the search engines, links and banner ads. The expired domain names that get this daily traffic can earn revenues if these are redirected to another website or marketed with affiliate programs.

Earning Profit from Expired Domain Names & Expired Domain Name Traffic:

1. Buying for speculation - There is now a large and highly profitable market for reselling domain registration at present, and speculators are looking out for developing technologies and trends. Evolution is constantly taking place in technology and trends. There are markets, being watched closely right now, that are expected to grow exponentially within a short span of time. It should be a good idea to locate and register expiring domain registration that are related to new trends, technology and markets in order to earn substantial profits.

2. Buying expiring domain names and redirecting the targeted traffic - Targeted keyword domain names can help to get traffic from those simply typing in keyword rich domain names into the address bar and hitting the enter key.

3. Buying expired domain name registration and putting up generic websites - Using tools like easy website building software, third party payment processors, auto responders and other applications, even a novice could put generic websites online with keyword rich domain names that should appear in the search engine rankings. These websites can be built using expired domain names to drive traffic to them and the domain registration and the developed website could then be sold together with the domain name, as a value added commodity.

4. Buying expiring domain names of websites that are already online – A number of expiring domain names are, actually, already functioning websites. The owners of these websites either did not renew their domain registration for some reason or simply stopped operating the website. In fact, quite often, these websites already have traffic from links to other websites, search engine rankings and even directory listings.

5. Buying expired domain names and using them for marketing affiliate programs - Affiliate programs are a good way to acquire an online business without even having a product. Affiliate marketers redirect traffic from the affiliate website to the website of the actual product or service and charge a commission or a fee when any of the redirected traffic results in sales. Affiliate programs have become an automated turnkey solution for a number of entrepreneurs, especially novices.

One can locate and register expired domain names that closely target the market of the affiliate programs and then draw that targeted traffic into the website with expired keyword rich domain names with content that satisfies the informational needs. Then the users can be led onto the sales page of the product.



About The Author:

Copyright © Active-Domain.com (http://www.active-domain.com). All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted freely provided the resource box, Web addresses and copyright information remain intact.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Internet Basics: A Domain Name is Like a Ticket Stub

Internet Basics: A Domain Name is Like a Ticket Stub

Ever go to a function where they?re going to be drawing for prizes later? When you come in, they give you a ticket stub and keep the other half for themselves. Your stub has a unique number on it. The part they kept has that same number on it.

When it?s time for the prizes, they stir up all the tickets and pull one out. And did you win? How can they know for sure? Simple.

They read that unique number out and you jump! That?s how they know who you are.

In fact, they can find you in the middle of the entire crowd, and they don?t need to know your name, or your face, or anything about you. As long as you jump up when they call out that unique number, they can find you. That?s one efficient system.

That?s what a domain name is like.

A domain name such as mywebsite.com is a unique identifier. Once you own a domain name, nobody else can. Sure, they can buy mywebsites.com or miwebsite.com, but not mywebsite.com.

And if anybody anywhere wants to find your site, all they need to know is that your unique identifier is mywebsite.com. They type mywebsite.com into their browser and your website jumps up. The domain name connects people with where your website is located, even in the middle of all the other websites, and all because every domain name is unique.

But what if you want to buy the domain name coolstuff.com and someone else already owns it? Well, you have some options:

·Buy a similar domain name, such as reallycoolstuff.com (if it?s available)

·Buy the coolstuff domain name but with a different extension, such as coolstuff.org or coolstuff.ca (if they?re available)

·Contact the owners of coolstuff.com and see if they?ll sell it to you. To find out who owns a domain name and how you can contact them, simply type in the domain name at the following page:

https://secure.registerapi.com/services/whois.php

At the end of the day, a domain name makes it easy to find a single website amongst all the other websites out there.

And that?s why a domain name is like a ticket stub.
Grant Pasay - EzineArticles Expert Author

Copyright (c) Grant Pasay 2005. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety (including author bio/links) to anyone you wish.

Grant Pasay is a professional website copywriter, advertising copywriter, and SEO copywriter serving clients in Vancouver, BC and everywhere. Grant is also the author of the FREE e-book, "The Internet Is Like A Refrigerator."

For copy that captures your business message without any of the hassle, go to http://grantpasay.com/

Check out Grant's FREE e-book at http://grantpasay.com/refrigerator/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grant_Pasay

Monday, November 19, 2007

Domain Registration: Register Your Domain but Don't Rush Into a Hosting Package

Domain Registration: Register Your Domain but Don't Rush Into a Hosting Package

One of the first things that a new business needs to do is establish a web presence. That usually starts with registering a domain name and then purchasing a hosting package. Many of the domain registrars also provide hosting and they should, it is logical to pair these services. These registrars almost always create an attractive hosting + domain registration package and new businesses almost always go for it. There is nothing wrong with offering these packages and there is usually nothing wrong with the services themselves. The problem is buying into something before you know what you really need. These packages are, in most cases, very basic in their capabilities. Most will not support any type of database programming. This lack of functionality will drastically limit what you can do with your new site. I have some suggestions for the new businesses out there.

1. Register your domain but don’t commit to a hosting package. This is very important because until you have received the advice of the person or company developing your web site you could be wasting your money.
2. Enlist the services of a freelance web developer or a local web development company. This will prove to be a valuable step in establishing your web presence. The freelance web developers tend to be much less expensive than development companies. They are used to getting new companies up and running quickly.
3. Allow your developer to secure hosting and work it into the cost of your web site. Web developers almost always have 1 or 2 hosting companies that they know are reliable. This can also be beneficial because the new hosting can be used for development under a different domain name. Web hosting companies provide a temporary URL that can be used until you are ready to go live with your site.

The bottom line is to check with your web developer before you commit to anything. If you enlist the services of a good developer/designer you will not have a problem securing exactly what you need for your web site.

Aaron Davis is a freelance web/application developer. He has been a web/application developer for more than 12 years. His specialty is .NET development with C# and SQL Server.

http://www.davis-webs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Davis

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Internet Domain Registration - Establishing and Transferring Your Domain Name

Internet Domain Registration - Establishing and Transferring Your Domain Name

If you’re in business, one of the most important things to you may be your ability to establish an internet presence. Operating some type of functional web site for your business helps your customers find you, can present additional marketing opportunities through e-commerce, and offers advertising opportunities that you can not get elsewhere. Companies that do not have a web site lose business to companies that do all the time.

Of course the real key to your web site is the internet domain registration. Everybody wants www.mybusiness.com – the problem is that domain names are unique and can be taken by anyone. If you don’t register your desired domain name right away, someone else could take it. The fact is that internet domain registration can turn into a sneaky competitive game. In many cases business owners have gone to register a domain name and found that it had been registered years before they every started the company by some group that is in the business of registering domains and then turning around and selling them for exorbitant rates.

A humorous story came from the 2005 municipal election in North Las Vegas, Nevada when one candidate realized that the incumbent mayor had not registered an internet domain name. The incumbent registered the mayor’s name dot com and as many variants of it that he could come up with, literally stealing the Mayor’s plans for a web site out from under him. The tactic didn’t win him the election, but the candidate managed to annoy the mayor quite a bit and still owns the internet domain registration names to this day.

The key to avoiding these sorts of problems lies in early registration of your desired domain name. If you find the one that you want (or a close variant of it), register it immediately. Even if you’re not prepared to set up a web site yet or won’t be for several years, register the domain right away anyway.

Registering a domain name before being ready to set up its web site will require the domain name being transferred to the servers of your desired host when you are ready to establish the site. Transferring the domain name once you have selected a web host is a very simple process, but does require you to establish the change with both the registration company and the new host. The new host will provide you with the server information that you, in turn, will need to provide to the company with whom you originally registered the domain. There may be a short waiting period (typically 24 to 72 hours) while both servers get the information updated. Once that process is complete, you’ll have your domain safely residing on your host’s servers and your site (as long as it’s been built) will be ready to go.

The internet domain registration and transfer for your business web site is a simple process and can be completed through automated online systems in most cases. Clearly the most important part of this process is the registration of the domain name and this should always be done as soon as possible, even if it is going to be years before you’re ready to get the actual web site up and running.

John Michaels is a freelance author for WebHostPacks.com where he regularly publishes articles on how to find a cheap web host and reviews of low cost web hosting services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Michaels

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Domain Name Registration And Hosting

Domain Name Registration And Hosting

By Keith Thompson

Domain name registration is a necessary, easy, and strategically important first step in establishing an online presence, whether for business or otherwise. A well-chosen domain name registration can set you up for success with your new site in so many ways, the most prominent of these being increased search engine traffic. Here's some vital elements to consider when executing your domain name registration.

A good domain name registration, particularly for an online business, (which is the main focus of this article) is easily done, but at the same time requires choices that will impact your site's effectiveness. So here, in no particular order, are some things to bear in mind when doing a domain name registration.

The extension - Will it be a .com, .net, .org, .info etc. Any of these will get spidered and indexed by the search engines, but if you can get a .com for your chosen name you'd be better off,as this extension is more common and carries an air of legitimacy with it.

Try not to have you domain name registration with your web host.The reason being that should you decide to part ways with your host, (and this isn't uncommon!) it's potentially a massive headache to move your domain as well. Split them up: you'll beglad you did!

Your domain name registration, purchased from a reputable company should run you somewhere between $1-10, depending on the extension and the amount of time you sign up for.

Probably the most important aspect of your domain name registration is the choice of keywords to use in your domain name. Try to use the main keyword or phrase you'd like to optimize the whole site for, and see if you can craft a domain name around it. The search engines seem to favor keyword-richdomain names. Nuff said.

Keep it short if possible. A shorter name is easier to remember than a long one.

Don't use your company name unless it has your keywords in it.There's no point in ranking high for your name if no one is looking for it yet.

Try to keep your domain name registration topically relevant. As search engines get smarter and smarter, sites that display total relevance will rank higher than catch all sites.

Lastly, be sure to avoid other companies trademarks and copyrights in your domain name. For example, let's say you're an affiliate of The Sharper Image. It's tempting to use some version of that name to promote your affiliate site, but don't do it, unless of course you'd like to meet their lawyers!

To sum up, your domain name registration is easy to do, but important to do well. It can make the difference in whether you get found or not!

Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com

Domain Name Registration - What NOT to Choose as a Domain Name for Your Business

Domain Name Registration - What NOT to Choose as a Domain Name for Your Business

Choosing a domain name for your business can be one of the most important decisions you make. You want something that relates to your business, is catchy and is easy to remember. Just keep in mind what you don't want.

Top 3 Types of Domain Names to Avoid:

* Names that don't apply to your business or industry: Sounds obvious, I know, but with the millions of domain names that are taken, choosing an obscure name can be a tempting trap to fall into. However, the likelihood of customers finding you gets that much more difficult with a vague name. Also, prominent display on major search engines is harder to acquire.

* Names that are very long: The longer the name, the easier it is for people to forget it altogether or remember it incorrectly. So keep it as short and simple as possible. However, if your business name is long and you're well established in your industry, your best bet may just be sticking with your current name.

* Names that are owned by someone else: It's not possible to secure the exact same domain name as someone else but it is possible to be infringing upon another's trademark or common-law rights with a confusingly similar name. Mistakenly, many times a new company will assume its trade name is legally clear merely because it was able to purchase a dot com or other domain extended name. Prior to securing your domain name, be sure to have comprehensive research conducted on the domain name.

Be creative in choosing your domain name – just remember what to avoid!

Shannon Moore is the General Manager, East Coast for TradeMark Express. Since 1992, TradeMark Express has met the needs of their clients with comprehensive research, application preparation, attorney referrals and trademark consultation. For further details, please visit us on the web at http://www.tmexpress.com or call Shannon directly at 800.340.2010.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Moore