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Buying Domain Names Based on Search Rankings

Elliot Silver
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14

I haven’t done this before, but I am thinking about it and would like some advice. Have you ever gone out to buy a domain name based on the current natural search position rather than the domain name? For example, if you have a great oil painting-related domain name that doesn’t rank well in Google, it might be in your best interest to try to acquire the highest ranking website (currently 1st-art-gallery.com) and do a 301 redirect to your domain name.
Although content is king and Google would probably notice that you don’t offer the same website content as what was on the #1 site, you would be able to retain the inbound links that the other website has. Since one of (if not) the biggest ways Google ranks domain names/websites is based on the inbound links, your great domain name with poor links would all of a sudden have a ton of inbound links.
Personally, I have never tried to buy a shitty domain name simply because it ranks well in Google, but since I have begun developing some of my better domain names, it might be worth doing. If anyone has done this before, I would really like to hear how this would help the domain name/website to which you 301 the higher ranking name. At the next update, would Google recognize your new name as the higher ranking website?

Why I Don't Publish Press Releases

Elliot Silver
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5

I’ve been sent many press releases from domain-related entities lately, and I haven’t published more than a couple of them. Although some of the companies are operated and/or managed by companies with whom I do business, I didn’t publish them as I saw them posted elsewhere. As much as I am always connected to the Internet via Blackberry, I am not always by my laptop or able to write a blog post.
Unless there is something unique I can add to the story – such as my own personal analysis of a situation, I don’t see a reason to post repetitive things.   With RSS readers, email news feeds, sites like Domaining.com, I think most people who choose to read my blog read many other blogs, and I personally think it’s annoying to read the exact same thing in several places. As my friend Francois told me back in November (which I have taken to heart because he is right):

“Sorry to be rude but these posts are ANNOYING!
Simply because it’s annoying to read again the SAME post you have previously read in Sahar, Frank, Ricks, … blogs without any additional information or a different point of view developed.”

The purpose of this post is to say why I haven’t published many press releases.   Some people have taken that personally, and I wanted to make sure they know it isn’t anything personal.

Sales Updates

Elliot Silver
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3

A couple of quick updates.   WeddingEntertainment.com has been sold, and the transaction should be completed by early next week.   LastWillAndTestament.com also sold, and the deal is to be completed today.
Back to work for now.

McCain & Ridge? Ohio Democratic Party Thinks So

Elliot Silver
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0

It appears that the Ohio Democratic Party believes that Senator John McCain will select Tom Ridge as his Vice Presidential running mate. According to the Whois database, on August 18th, Todd Hoffman from the Ohio Democratic Party registered the domain name McCainRidge.net. At the moment, the domain name resolves to a generic Godaddy landing page with links to John McCain buttons and political messages.
While some people might immediately claim that the Ohio Democratic Party is cybersquatting on this domain name, I would like to point out that there isn’t necessarily any evidence of bad faith in this registration – unlike many others who intend to profit from selling the domain name. Should the Ohio Dems decide to post an anti McCain/Ridge website, their rights to free speech would probably be protected under the US Constitution’s First Amendment, although I am not an attorney.
At the moment, the only entity profiting from the registration is Godaddy who is monetizing the name – presumably unbenounced to the registrant. IMO, the real legal question is this: if the Ohio Democrats utilize their First Amendment rights and they attempt to solicit contributions on the site, would this be considered a bad faith registration, as they are profiting off of a famous name/brand?
I think this is more of a John Berryhill question!

McCainRidge.net Whois Record
McCainRidge.net Whois Record

Monster to Acquire Generic Domain Names

Elliot Silver
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1

Rob Monster, the serial entrepreneur and venture capital angel investor behind Monster Venture Partners is looking to acquire more great generic domain names to turn into businesses. The company is raising capital in order to make these strategic investments. According to a blog post on Seattle Post Intelligencer,

Monster will continue with the firm’s strategy, which is rather unique in the venture business. The basic concept is to acquire compelling domain names — such as Patents.com or Wifi.com — and then recruit experienced managers to build new businesses around those sites.
With the new capital, Monster says they plan to acquire more domain names “that can be incubated into great companies.”

Recently, Monster Venture Partners and Castello Cities Internet Network announced a partnership where Monster’s company would work with CCIN to develop Traveler.com. By investing in successful start-up companies at their early stage, Monster hopes to emulate Berkshire Hathaway’s strategy of investing in successful companies from inception.
There is no doubt that there are some good domain names on the marker, but the challenge is finding the right domain name at the right price, with the ability to implement a winning business plan executed by an experienced management team. It is going to be interesting following the success of Rob Monster as his company’s investment portfolio grows.

Just Asking for a UDRP from the NBA

Elliot Silver
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5

With the NBA set to announce the name of the newly relocated Oklahoma City basketball team, rumors have been circulating that the team will be named the Thunder. The rumors seem to stem from the registration of OKCThunderBasketball.com as a reason for this, although OKCBarons.com seems to be owned by a law firm in Oklahoma City.
Nonetheless, I must point out something that would seem to be asking for a UDRP. Out of curiosity, I searched for the Whois on ThunderBasketball.com, as this would seem to be a better domain name to own. The name has been registered since 2005, which would indicate the owner didn’t register the name in bad faith or to capitalize on a professional basketball team called the Thunder. Perhaps the owner’s son played for an AAU or local team called the Thunder.
However, I believe he is making a huge mistake that will surely cost him his domain name if the Oklahoma City team is renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder. The owner currently has a statement on the site: “Thunderbasketball.com For Sale… To the highest bidder. Make an offer at info@thunderbasketball.com”
While this certainly doesn’t show the owner intended to profit off of an NBA franchise, a UDRP panel could and probably would interpret it that way. If this isn’t damaging enough, he has an Adsense block advertising “OKC Basketball Tickets,”Sonics Fans – Hoops” and “Supersonics Ringtones.” The NBA is aware of the UDRP process, and is currently 3-1 in UDRP decisions.
There is always a fine balance between trying to sell a domain name that has become sensitive (for whatever reason) and not putting yourself at risk. It would be likely that the NBA and other fans/speculators would contact the owner in an attempt to purchase the domain name whether the owner had the statement up there or not. Putting a for sale sign up at this time is putting the domain name at serious risk.

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