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Quick Hits for the Weekend

I think I found a sales representative in Lowell, and he is expected to sell advertising to local businesses. My guy has 15+ years of sales experience, with the last 3 being online sales. The best part is that he lives in Lowell, and he knows the city of Lowell.   This will hopefully help to take the site to the next level.

Yesterday, Rick Latona introduced DigiLoan.com, a longer term loan company which will help people finance large domain purchases, primarily domain names that are sold via his auctions and newsletter. This is going to bring more liquidity to the domain industry, which could and should help to drive more sales in the near term.

I have always had a personal aversion to debt, but I had a long conversation about the benefits of debt with a friend who does hotel asset management. While I don’t wish to use debt as a means to buy domain names yet, I do see the value it can bring to a company – especially when a domain name comes on the market for a limited time, never to be for sale again.

Jamie had some success selling domain names to end users. I’ve discussed this before in blog posts and in a couple of interviews, and I think this is a great way to sell a domain name. It might be a bit more labor intensive and require some educating, but those sales can still be had if you have great domain names.

The auction list for the GeoDomain Expo was released last week.   There are some pretty good names on this list, although I think I have enough work on my plate…. Newburyport.com is almost finished and then I will have to start adding more time-sensitive content.

It’s 76 degrees and sunny here in NYC right now… time for a walk in Central Park.

Why I Like GeoDomains

As I mentioned before, I am in the process of writing a series about geographic domain names (geodomains), and I plan to discuss everything from acquiring geodomain names, developing geodomains, and monetizing geodomains. I don’t know how many posts the series will be, nor do I know how far apart they will be posted, but I hope this series is helpful to people who are interested in learning more about the industry. I welcome and look forward to visitor comments, as I think those will probably be even more beneficial than what I contribute.

I think the best place to start the series is to discuss why I like geographic domain names, and there are several reasons.

1.) People always want information
When people are looking to find a business in a city, take a vacation, go on a business trip, or move to a particular city, they generally do quite a bit of research beforehand, much of which is done online. Often times, these people will use a search engine to specifically key in what they want + the city/region (New York Restaurants) for example. Having the city/region domain name gives you a strong advantage in search engine optimization, especially for longer tail keywords.

2.) No inventory
Geographic domain names do not have any type of product or inventory. People who visit are typically looking for information related to the geographic area, or in the case of keyword geodomains (NewYorkDoctors.com), they are looking for specific information. I live in an apartment and have no space for any type of product. I also don’t have much of a technological background, so I am not comfortable about hosting an e-commerce site using a drop shipper. Because of this, I can provide visitors what they want without having to worry about inventory or fulfillment.

3.) Type-in traffic
I’ve always found that my pure city .com domain names get type-in traffic, and much of the time the traffic is fairly significant, especially when compared to my generic category defining domain names. People are accustomed to typing in the keyword, and they assume the city .com is a developed site. When I buy a geodomain name, my goal is to provide whatever they want that is related to the city.

4.) City Loyalty
People tend to be very loyal to cities of importance to them. This is very similar to specific brands at the supermarket or drugstore. These people care about how “their” city is projected online, and many will offer their opinions about the website. Loyalty is good to drive return visitors to your site. Also, I have found that businesses want to be associated with a geodomain name.

5. Content Galore!
There is a TON of information for just about every state, city, town, and region available online and in local libraries. This information can be used as a research tool to build unique content on your website. There are also a lot of local websites and businesses who are happy to share their unique content to build your site while enhancing their visibility.

TRAFFIC Silicon Valley Auctions

Both Moniker and Rick Latona have released preliminary lists for live auctions that will take place during the TRAFFIC conference in Silicon Valley April 27-30. Below are the lists, with my favorites bolded. Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the auction, as I am traveling to Burbank for a few days right after the GeoDomain Expo in San Diego.

Moniker auction:
111.org $1 – $5,000
15yearmortgagerates.com No Reserve
24.org $25,001 – $50,000
700.com $10,001 – $25,000
accreditation.com $5,001 – $10,000
ad.com $250,001 – $500,000
affiliateadvertising.com $1 – $5,000
aircraftengines.com $5,001 – $10,000
allterrainvehicles.com $5,001 – $10,000
allusion.com $1 – $5,000
announced.com No Reserve
antihistamine.com $5,001 – $10,000
athletic.com $25,001 – $50,000
authorization.com $10,001 – $25,000
automating.com $5,001 – $10,000
backgammonsets.com $1 – $5,000
backhoe.com $25,001 – $50,000
baptistchurches.com $1 – $5,000
barbequegrill.com $5,001 – $10,000
bargain.travel $1 – $5,000
bicentennial.com $1 – $5,000
bionic.com $5,001 – $10,000
blackpanthers.com $10,001 – $25,000
BoatRepairs.com $5,001 – $10,000
bottledwater.com $25,001 – $50,000
breeding.com $25,001 – $50,000
bribes.com $1 – $5,000
buffoon.com $1 – $5,000
BuildingPermits.com $5,001 – $10,000
businessbankruptcy.com $1 – $5,000
californiacommercialrealestate.com $1 – $5,000
CampingSupplies.com $10,001 – $25,000
Cancun.org $5,001 – $10,000
caribbeanvacations.com $100,001 – $250,000
carpetstores.com $5,001 – $10,000
chargingstations.com $10,001 – $25,000
cheerleaders.org $1 – $5,000
collegecourse.com $10,001 – $25,000
comedyclub.com $50,001 – $100,000
commitment.org $1 – $5,000
corporatejets.com $50,001 – $100,000
cosmetician.com $5,001 – $10,000
creditchecks.net $1 – $5,000
cureforcancer.com $1 – $5,000
datingwomen.com $5,001 – $10,000
debtcollection.org $1 – $5,000
debug.com $10,001 – $25,000
dietandexercise.com $1 – $5,000
dietician.com $25,001 – $50,000
diets.net $10,001 – $25,000
discountairfares.org $1 – $5,000
discretion.com $10,001 – $25,000
domainauction.com $100,001 – $250,000
downriggers.com $1 – $5,000
EarnMoney.com $1 – $5,000
europeanvacations.com $100,001 – $250,000
ewills.com $5,001 – $10,000
ExecutiveAssistant.com $5,001 – $10,000
exhibiting.com $1 – $5,000
explored.com $10,001 – $25,000
fatalattraction.com $1 – $5,000
federalairmarshals.com $1 – $5,000
ferriswheel.com $1 – $5,000
filebankruptcy.com $50,001 – $100,000
filet.com $10,001 – $25,000
financing.net $50,001 – $100,000
findjobs.com $100,001 – $250,000
fixture.com $25,001 – $50,000
flatpaneltvs.com $5,001 – $10,000
flightinstructors.com $10,001 – $25,000
FloridaAttorney.com $5,001 – $10,000
foreclosurerefinance.com $1 – $5,000
freightlines.com $1 – $5,000
garagekits.com $1 – $5,000
gardencenter.com $10,001 – $25,000
gardenofeden.com $10,001 – $25,000
ghoststories.com $25,001 – $50,000
glasspanels.com $1 – $5,000
glutenfreerecipes.com $5,001 – $10,000
golfcaddy.com $1 – $5,000
governmenthousing.com $10,001 – $25,000
graders.com $5,001 – $10,000
greatfalls.com $10,001 – $25,000
hairwax.com $5,001 – $10,000
HeadShot.com $5,001 – $10,000
highspeed.net $1 – $5,000
homemortgage.net $5,001 – $10,000
hotproducts.com No Reserve
illegalimmigrants.com $10,001 – $25,000
imageconsultants.com $5,001 – $10,000
indianaforeclosures.com $1 – $5,000
influential.com $10,001 – $25,000
intelligentdesign.com $1 – $5,000
invasion.com $10,001 – $25,000
john.mobi $1 – $5,000
Jonesboro.com $10,001 – $25,000
junk.net No Reserve
kidnap.com $10,001 – $25,000
kingcrab.com $5,001 – $10,000
laptopcomputers.info No Reserve
lineart.com $10,001 – $25,000
lists.net $1 – $5,000
liveauctions.com $25,001 – $50,000
loancalculator.com $250,001 – $500,000
lz.ca $1 – $5,000
maintaining.com $1 – $5,000
marketingfirm.com $50,001 – $100,000
marriages.com $25,001 – $50,000
mbajobs.com $50,001 – $100,000
mediarooms.com $10,001 – $25,000
migraine.com $100,001 – $250,000
millionaire.org $5,001 – $10,000
modernhouses.com $1 – $5,000
mouthguards.com $1 – $5,000
moviemaking.com $10,001 – $25,000
movingservice.com $1 – $5,000
mr.org $5,001 – $10,000
noevil.com $1 – $5,000
nonprofits.com $10,001 – $25,000
officesupplystores.com $1 – $5,000
onlinetelevision.com $10,001 – $25,000
organicchicken.com $5,001 – $10,000
organictea.com $10,001 – $25,000
oxygentanks.com $10,001 – $25,000
packages.net $1 – $5,000
photodeveloping.com $1 – $5,000
physicalexamination.com $5,001 – $10,000
pinballwizard.com $1 – $5,000
pitches.com $5,001 – $10,000
plans.com $100,001 – $250,000
popupblockers.com $1 – $5,000
pornos.net $25,001 – $50,000
primers.com $5,001 – $10,000
punks.com $1 – $5,000
realty.com $1MM – $5MM
redistribution.com $1 – $5,000
reelect.com $1 – $5,000
refund.me $1 – $5,000
reimbursement.com $1 – $5,000
rejected.com $5,001 – $10,000
relatives.com $25,001 – $50,000
rentcenter.com $10,001 – $25,000
repaired.com $10,001 – $25,000
researchcenter.com $10,001 – $25,000
respected.com $1 – $5,000
retrain.com $5,001 – $10,000
roomairconditioners.com $10,001 – $25,000
sacked.com $5,001 – $10,000
salinas.com $50,001 – $100,000
samuraiswords.com $25,001 – $50,000
SanBernardino.com $25,001 – $50,000
santaclara.com $100,001 – $250,000
season.com $25,001 – $50,000
sham.com $10,001 – $25,000
shutter.com $10,001 – $25,000
siamesecats.com $1 – $5,000
silos.com $10,001 – $25,000
slots.asia $10,001 – $25,000
sports.info $5,001 – $10,000
stallions.com $10,001 – $25,000
statenislandrentals.com $1 – $5,000
steakknives.com $10,001 – $25,000
stimulant.com $5,001 – $10,000
sued.com $1 – $5,000
sushirestaurants.com $10,001 – $25,000
taxinformation.com $5,001 – $10,000
Telemarketers.com $25,001 – $50,000
terrorist.com $10,001 – $25,000
toasterovens.com $25,001 – $50,000
trafficaccidents.com $10,001 – $25,000
transferring.com $1 – $5,000
travelconditions.com $5,001 – $10,000
usedhummers.com $10,001 – $25,000
viajes.com $1MM – $5MM
vixen.com $10,001 – $25,000
wager.co.uk $1 – $5,000
weddingcards.com $10,001 – $25,000
WeddingGift.com & WeddingGifts.com $250,001 – $500,000
workoutclothing.com $1 – $5,000
ycg.com $1 – $5,000

Rick Latona’s Auction (first half)
French.com $200,000
rickshaws.com $1,000
propertymanagers.com $8,500
antiqueautosales.com $1,000
Belgium.com $500,000
apartmentnetwork.com $1,000
Sofas.com $250,000
apparelshow.com $1,000
divorcio.com $50,000
archers.net $1,000
SavingsBonds.com $1,500,000
asianflu.com $1,000
TripleCreditReports.com $33,000
bigsizes.com $1,000
Seoul.com $750,000
footballs.net $1,000
PinballMachines.com $40,000
pickles.net $1,000
JobPlacement.com $100,000
TennisCamp.com $1,000
Novelties.com $90,000
spa.travel $1,000
Palermo.com $65,000
jet.travel and jets.travel $1,000
RemoteControls.com $25,000
mudracingtires.com $1,000
Purebreds.com $15,000
HealthSnacks.com $1,000
TempLabor.com $15,000
MotorcrossRacingTires.com $1,000
NiceLegs.com $6,000
Matchable.com $1,000
SleepingPill.com &
SleepingPills.com (pair) $500,000
ConcealedGunPermit.com $1,000
DietPill.com $500,000
DataReader.com $1,000
Menos.com $18,000
NetMarketers.com $1,000
SanJose.net $7,000
BuckeyeState.com $1,000
coaddiction.com $5,000

Double Dumb Domain Mov(i)e

I just saw a commercial for a new Paramount movie called “State of Play,” staring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, and Rachel McAdams. The URL chosen by Paramount was StateofPlayMovie.net. First off, Paramount is forgiven for not buying or leasing StateofPlay.com because it’s owned by a company of that name.

However, I don’t know why they chose the .net of a second class domain name.   They did buy the .com (StateofPlayMovie.com), but that domain name doesn’t resolve.   Jeeze… if you are going to brand the .net and you own the .com, at least forward it to your active website.

It’s 2009, and some companies don’t get the basics… DUMB x 2!

picture-1

I’ll Take the Bait

I’ve been in firefighter mode the past few days, especially today with Newburyport.com, so I haven’t had a chance to post anything substantial. I’ve been busting my hump for the past several weeks meeting with people for advertising on Lowell.com & Burbank.com, which has been difficult.   Ironically enough, after launching a foundation of a site on Newburyport.com just over a week ago, I already have an advertiser lined up for when I fully launch.   Needless to say, I am working overtime to get the site launched and generating revenue…

Anyhow, I just saw a post from Mike Cohen, and I will take the bait on it. I know Mike can have an abrasive personality when he posts on blogs and forums, but he has privately given me some good advice over the past couple of months related to my developed websites. Granted some of the advice hasn’t been adopted by me yet due to time constraints, it has been helpful to me and has generated new ideas. Mike says that he is going to share something that will help you, and I am going to take him at his word.

Sure Mike is also an advertiser, but I am not being paid to write this or post a link.   I am very interested in learning what he has to say about development – and am interested in seeing what he has to share with others.

Researching Source of Offer

It’s important that you do as much research on the source of your domain offers for a variety of reasons to see why the person wants to buy your domain name.   I think most of the reasons are obvious, but as ccTLDs continue to increase in popularity, there is one more thing to check before replying to the offer or inquiry.

If your .com domain name ends in a popular ccTLD extension, you should look to see if the ccTLD is developed, as many domain owners realize the importance of owning the corresponding .com domain name. Bit.ly is a very popular URL shortening service. Not only do they own the Liberian ccTLD (.LY), but they also own Bitly.com for protective purposes.

While many entrepreneurs on a shoestring budget will be happy to launch on a ccTLD that is more vanity than anything to do with the ccTLD, most will realize that they are losing traffic. In Bit.ly’s case, people continued to refer to the company as “Bitly” so visitors who think in .com as a default simply visited Bitly.com, which they are fortunate to own.

If your company owns a name like XXXXXXXXin.com or something like that, and you receive an inquiry, don’t just check USPTO, Google and other common places. You should also check the Whois for XXXXXXXX.in as well.

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