IDN Research Tool Blog

Read my previous post first if you haven’t already. Basically, the technique that I outline in the last post is similar to this one, but this time, you are looking for domains which can be easily optimized for SEO and has a significant Overture search count.

How does this work? Google and other search engines have a tendency to put the .com domain name which contains the exact users search query as first on the search results page. So for instance, you go to Google and type a search for ‘marketing tips’ - If marketingtips.com contains the same topical relevancy and has several inbound links, Google will most likely rank it in the first position.

Using the Domain Research Tool, you can quickly find domains that are expired and available for you to register. It immediately gives the Overture search count for expired domains, which is a very rough estimate of how many people searched for that keyword phrase the previous month (note: it’s pretty inaccurate because it combines singular/plurars and is influenced by search marketers spamming it)…

For example, let’s say you find the domain name ‘televisionlistings.com’ is available – which has a Overture search count of 11,546. You would buy the domain and then figure out a way to monetize it. Now, here is where most domainers fail . They basically put up a page that shows a bunch of ads and hope someone types their domain in by accident or they just happen to rank for a term using natural SEO and then get a few clicks on their ads. Well, that’s the wrong way to go about monetizing the domain.

What you want to do is think of a business model around this domain. So think about what unique service you can provide to people who visit your site. What value can you add? What unique features can you offer? Can you fill a market need? You can easily rank #1 for this domain, so why blow it by making the site spam?

For this example, you might provide a simple Google style url box that asks the user to submit their zip code and then directs them to Yahoo’s television guide. On your home page, you might also publish RSS feeds on local entertainment news, Del.icio.us entertainment news, and daily youtube videos on fashion. You can now stick an Adsense ad on there. Not only will you probably achieve the #1 spot for “television listings” – you will also have built a site that has some value to visitors (in which case, they may return).

A variation of this method is first researching which affiliate you want to work with. I like the affiliate networks Link Share, Commission Junction, and Financial Affiliate Marketing. Sign up as an affiliate and then start by looking for affiliate programs in which you have an interest in or know a lot about. Once you’ve found the program, use the domain research tool and search for words/ word stems in that industry. Once you’ve found a nice domain that is available, you can now set up a nice business model around the affiliate site. This way it’s a bit easier to monetize the site instead of first searching for a domain then trying to make money off it.

Using the domain research tool in conjunction with a bit of SEO and a business mind, you will do well.

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