The last post here on Teenius (a guest post by Teenwebguru) was all about picking a good domain name and, more importantly, what made a good domain. In the comments there were several people who were saying that they struggle to find good domains, so this post will be dedicated to different methods to find quality domains.
Why is it so hard to find good domains?
Before we discuss ways to actually find good domains, I feel it’s important to address why good domains are so hard to find. Well, basically, one of the ways to make money online is domaining. This consists of buying good domains, keeping them until their value goes up, and then selling them on for a high price. So, when you’re looking for a good domain, you’re not only competing with thousands of other webmasters, but also domainers.
OK, so now we’ve got that out the way, lets get on to how you can find some really good domains:
Imagination
For starters, think one up for yourself! I do realise that this isn’t practical for everyone, but if you have some time on your hands, brainstorm ideas on a piece of paper. Look around at other domains you like for inspiration, too. If your inspiration is lacking, try someone else’s! Do a tweet asking for some help or post up on a forum… you’ll find that people are usually more than willing to help out a fellow webmaster!
Hold A Contest
This is a great method to find domains, and one I’ve used several times in the past. Go on to a forum such as DigitalPoint and there will be a huge section for Contests. Make a new thread in there with a prize of around $5 (I usually pay $5-10 depending on how important the domain is to me) and be very specific about what you want. I once held a 48 hour long contest for $5 and I got over 70 entries!
Use Domain Suggestion Tools
OK, I’ll be honest, these aren’t the greatest innovations the internet has ever had, but they are still useful and can be good for fuelling your imagination and inspiration. Do a Google search for one or check out the one on Name.com. Don’t be too disappointed if you can’t find anything, but you’ve got a better chance than sitting there getting frustrated!
Buy A Domain Off Someone Else!
Remember that you don’t have to register the domain yourself. As I mentioned earlier there are domainers that will have portfolios with some amazing domains in them, so just look around at some domains that are for sale. If you can’t see anything you like, email a domainer and ask them if they have anything related to your niche!
This tactic does, however, have a couple of problems. Firstly, the domain might not be at your preferred registrar, and secondly, the domainers will try and rip you off… always try and haggle for a lower price!
Have Your Say!
Have I answered your questions? Do you have anything more to add? Well, if you do, please feel free to leave a comment below. I always reply to good comments so you can be sure you’ll get an answer. I also return comments, so if you leave a comment here, you can expect a comment on your blog from me.
If you liked this post, please consider sharing it with others via one of the icons below. Thanks!
I was really having problem with finding Domain name Simon.. This post is really gonna help me out, well explained.
I’ll suggest if you add a short list of available domain name checker and domain name generator websites?
Enk.’s last blog post..Create Custom Sidebar in Wordpress Blog
Glad it helped… there were a few people who commented on the last post who couldn’t find good domains, so I figured I’d give them a help.
In terms of the domain name generators, just Google it and there will be thousands of results. I did a quick check last night and there was one decent one near the top
Hey this is a cool post, i have bought domains from other guys, m glad you included this point in the post.
Buying from other people is a huge part of making money online, whether you’re just in it for a bit of fun or doing it seriously. I find that many of the good domains have been taken, so it’s well worth taking a look at the marketplace.
This post should really help you in finding domain name.. But a tip from me.. before buying a domain name from someone else or somewhere else, please do check its history.. It might be banned by google. Check if it is indexed by Google. Check if it is a drop domain. whois.domaintools.com should be the best place to check domain history.
Splendid Kid’s last blog post..Make Money Online Selling Private Advertising
Very good point, sorry I didn’t include that
I didn’t properly research Teenius, and it was infact a film in 2007 so I have to compete with all those pages in the search engines before I’ve even started! Lessons to be learnt there
Now that’s a scary thought – Blogussion.com was a domain that had expired and I picked up. Never thought to check the history. But I think everything is fine as I haven’t noticed anything with the domain.
Great tip though, I will definitely keep that in mind since the only thing I know about domains is how to register them. xD
Alex | Blogussion.com’s last blog post..Dealing With Blogging Challenges You Just Don’t See Coming
Yeah, research is definately a biggy when it comes to domains. One wrong move and you could find yourself really struggling (like I was, lol)
I would say that you probably cannot hold a contest until have another blog LOL. If you are going to buy your first domain then you cannot hold a contest. I would appriciate the idea of Suggestion tool or even Keyword research tool will do it well for you. Anyway great post Dude!
Cheers
Harish’s last blog post..Why You Should Promote Your Contest? And How ?
Just hold the contest on an internet forum such as DigitalPoint. When I hold domain contests I always have them there. Just make sure you get people to enter via PM/email otherwise others might steal it before you can register!
May be you are right too Simon. I have never held a contest like that.
Harish’s last blog post..Why You Should Promote Your Contest? And How ?
Really like the post Teenius! There’s some great tips for coming up with domain names here.
One of my domains came from my mom.): I couldn’t come up with a good domain name, and she came up with Web Journey. My mom barely knows how to use a computer and yet she came up with the name I use. That shows it’s really good to get ideas from a fresh mind.
teenwebguru’s last blog post..40 Common Negative Thoughts
Thanks for the nice comment. Yeah, getting inspiration from other people is definately a great way of finding good domains
I guess it’s true what they say then – you can find inspiration in the oddest places!
Alex | Blogussion.com’s last blog post..Dealing With Blogging Challenges You Just Don’t See Coming
Still, can someone suggest me good domain name for my personal blog with name Enk. ? thenk / theenk aren’t available. Dont change enk to enki or enky kinda thing. Please, need good suggestions!
Enk.’s last blog post..Create Custom Sidebar in Wordpress Blog
Hold a contest! I personally find this the best way of finding a domain as you’re getting loads of inspiration from other people, so you get a much broader range of domains
Nice ideas, good thinking with the contest idea; well done on bringing that one up. One thing I would also say is use a domain finder. They cost like $5, I got one off eBay a while ago for $10 I think and was able to find some great domain names I sold for a decent profit.
Keep up the good work mate
Daniel – WPThemeKid’s last blog post..WPThemeKid Didn’t Sell!
Cool, not heard of those before so will definately check them out. Thanks for the suggestion, Daniel!
When I search for a new domain name.. I prefer two things..
Either search for a name which shows 0 result in SERp’s or use a domain name which got keywords.
Finding a domain name and then using it effectively is not a big deal, but for branding purpose I always go with a name with 0 result in search engine.
Harsh Agrawal’s last blog post..My SEO strategy to make shoutmeloud search engine friendly
Thanks for the comment, Harsh.
I agree to a certain extent with what you’re saying, but I think that if you get a brandable domain and fill it with great content, the search engine ranking will come in time anyway
This post should really help you in finding domain name.. But a tip from me.. before buying a domain name from someone else or somewhere else, please do check its history.. It might be banned by google. Check if it is indexed by Google. Check if it is a drop domain. whois.domaintools.com should be the best place to check domain history.
thanks, this looks good and I must say that whtever you do you need to check it before, if you are putting ur money into something to buy. “Great results come to people who are inquisitive”
Thanks for the comment.
If you look at one of my newer posts, ‘The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying Domains’, you’ll see that I included the research point in there
Thanks again!
i think you should not need to contact any domainers, because there are many great domains that are not registered there, all you have to do is just keep on brainstorming what domain is great for your niche.