Picking Quality Keyword Domains in 3 Quick Steps

In a pinch, there are 3 metrics you can quickly check to determine the profit potential of keyword domains. The domain's keywords should be checked for keyword search volume, monetization potential and keyword frequency. In my opinion, they're also listed in their order of importance. This is far from a comprehensive examination but it will reveal a few key characteristics about a domain name that can help you determine if it's worth registering or not. I would advise much more diligence when purchasing a higher priced domain in the aftermarket.

In short, good keyword domains make it easy to match products and services to the people looking for them. For the following example we'll use the domain name herbalcapsules.com and more specifically, the phrase "herbal capsules" for keyword analysis.

1. Keyword Search Volume - Simply put, keyword search volume is the amount of search queries for a given search term over a specified amount of time. Currently, the most widely used tools to determine search volume are Wordtracker, Overture, Keyword Discovery, and the Google Adwords Tool. The search volume for the exact keyword phrase "herbal capsules" will give you a rough idea on the likelihood of receiving direct type-in traffic at herbalcapsules.com. The figures are not directly correlated, meaning 1,735 monthly Overture searches will not translate into 1,735 direct type-ins at herbalcapsules.com. In fact, it'll probably be a very small percentage of that. There really isn't a reliable formula to determine that "X" amount of search volume will equal "X" number of type in visitors. Just know that the higher the search volume, the more potential traffic either through direct type-ins or SEO development based on the "herbal capsules" keyword phrase.

If no search volume exists for a particular phrase than you might want to reconsider registering that domain, especially if it's for the sole purpose of earning PPC revenue from type-in traffic. Lack of search volume doesn't mean that particular keyword domain is worthless. It does however require that traffic be generated from an additional source, such as development and link building. A keyword domain with low search volume can actually perform quite well once developed, especially if it has good advertising potential and keyword frequency.

2. Monetization Potential - Are advertisers bidding on the keywords that make up your domain? Once you've identified a market in step 1, you need to determine if there are products and services to help you monetize that traffic. Probably the quickest way to do this by performing a keyword search at Google.com ("herbal capsules") and observing the quantity and quality of ads that appear through the Google Adwords program. Quality is determined by the focus of the ads. Are they tight and on topic, containing the keywords that make up your domain? Try to disregard the "catch-all" ads often served up by advertisers like Ebay, BizRate and Local.com as they will not provide the targeted ads that your visitors are looking for.

If your keyword domain shows strong results amongst Adwords advertisers, it's very likely you'll find a number of other monetization opportunities through various affiliate marketplaces and PPC programs. Adsense is not the only game in town when it comes to website monetization. It does however provide a quick checkup for monetization potential.

3. Keyword frequency - Keyword frequency represents the number of times a keyword phrase appears in a search engine's index. The "results" appear in the upper right corner at Google.com after a search query has been performed. In my opinion, it's more a function of how common a phrase is, not how popular it is. Still, it can provide valuable feedback when it comes to making a domain registration decision. Do not register a domain based solely on the fact that it has a high keyword frequency. As a general rule, the higher the keyword frequency, the better as this signals that the keyword phrase is commonly used. However, exceptions to this would be phrases such as "more than" (morethan.com) and other common connectors which will return millions of Google results but really have no clear use as a keyword domain for monetization purposes. You'll also want to scan the results to make sure your keyword phrase is being used in the context that you expected it to be. Many times various punctuation marks may be present in the results which will dramatically skew the results (See "small medium" as an example).

On the other hand, a domain such as PergolaKit.com ("pergola kit") which returns less than 10,000 Google results may seem too obscure to register when in fact, it's a great keyword domain. In this case, you've come across a small, focused niche that will actually perform very well. If you run "pergola kit" through steps 1 and 2 it will become obvious why.

That's it for now. Hopefully these tips will come in handy the next time you're deciding whether a domain is worth registering or not.
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Free Domain List #10

A wide range of domains in today's list. ChoosingWinners.com would be a suitable domain for a gambling advisory. BathtubConversion.com would probably convert very well for a "how-to" site or a bathroom remodeling contractor. Want to create a site dedicated to the horror movie genre, SlasherFlick.com is for you. Be kind and limit your registrations to 5 names. That means you Randall.

AwesomeLists.com
BathtubConversion.com
BowlingLegends.com
CakeInformation.com
CapitolHall.com
CaseExaminer.com
CheapSkills.com
ChoosingWinners.com
CreditStability.com
FuelPromo.com
GasMedications.com
GermanVan.com
GetBookmarks.com
HomepageDealer.com
HousingLending.com
IceCones.com
IllinoisCostume.com
InvestorEdition.com
PhoenixDecor.com
PillPouch.com
PromotionPacks.com
PsychiatricSite.com
RiskyEndeavor.com
RuralSeclusion.com
SafeSeptic.com
ScotlandCricket.com
SelfHypnotized.com
SiteDemographic.com
SlasherFlick.com
SpeakAustralian.com
SpotClear.com
StockOverruns.com
StreetMonitors.com
TerraceMeadows.com
TestInvestment.com
ThermalWeapons.com
TradeProfessor.com
TrustedBrokers.com
TurbochargeIt.com
UKProblems.com
UpscaleBargain.com
USActivism.com
ValuePizza.com
WholesomeCandy.com
WorkoutCatalog.com

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Available Domain List #9

A light list due to the final night of Moniker's domain name auction at PubCon. Today's list contains a few nice medical domains as well as the usual sprinkle of geo names. A few of these have rather high Google results. CompressionMolded.com is one example of that. Please limit your domain registrations to 5 names from the current list. Thanks.

AlligatorTooth.com
BronchialFistula.com
BronchialRelief.com
ChicWire.com
ChristianTravelling.com
CompressionMolded.com
DiscPrograms.com
EroticAuthor.com
FairDamsel.com
FreestyleCollection.com
HandAppliance.com
HomeopathicCancer.com
HoustonTreatment.com
InstallationProcedures.com
InterofficeMessaging.com
InterscholasticAthletics.com
IslandMarathon.com
MattressWire.com
MiamiGuest.com
MonthlyDollars.com
NYCLimited.com
OxfordMotorcycles.com
POWVietnam.com
PrinterWire.com
RazorbackGear.com
SiteScam.com
SoaringRevenues.com
SteaksRecipe.com
StudyCrafts.com
SydneyCharter.com
TaxMassachusetts.com
VirginiaCostume.com
WantKnowledge.com
ZincCopper.com

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Domain Names Playing a Strategic Role in the Writer’s Strike

Here's a great example of why you should obtain all major gTLDs in order to protect your online business interests.

Much has been made over the current labor strike between the Writer's Guild of America (WGA.org) and the studios which are represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP.org). Here's a subplot to this struggle that probably didn't make your local news.

In an effort to benefit their cause, a group of writers used a subversive strategy to undermine the AMPTP by obtaining the AMPTP.com and AMPTP.net domain names and publishing mock versions of the actual AMPTP.org website at those addresses.

The fake sites look nearly identical to the authentic site and poke fun at the AMPTP's negotiation tactics and recent proposals. They also include links to UnitedHollywood.com which is a site supporting the Writer's Guild of America's cause.

To make matters worse, Bill Davis, the current owner of the .com and .net names recently contacted the AMPTP in an effort to sell the domains but the AMPTP showed no interest. Shortly after Mr. Davis was contacted by a group of writers who were interested in acquiring the domains to carry out their plan.

More information available at the LA Times site.

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Available Domain Names List #8

A nice mix of product and service orientated domain names along with a few social networking choices with DevelopCommunities.com being my personal favorite. A couple decent geo domains are in there as well. I hope you find something of use and don't forget to please play nice and observe the 5 domain registration limit.

BathSpecialty.com
CanadianRappers.com
CinnabarIsland.com
CommoditySoft.com
CommuterCup.com
ConfusedTeen.com
ContentFresh.com
DeadlyAssassin.com
DesignedBuildings.com
DevelopCommunities.com
EconomicalLiving.com
ExpandableAds.com
FerretTreat.com
FibreglassKits.com
FilmmakerProgram.com
FlightsSouth.com
FlorinMortgage.com
FutureAuthor.com
GlassCraftsmen.com
HeartIrregularities.com
HennaPowders.com
HolidayBakery.com
IndustrialCages.com
InexpensiveLogos.com
MacroVault.com
NewestRates.com
PikePark.com
PolishWipes.com
PowderBath.com
PriceUtilities.com
PrimroseFlorist.com
ProfessionalFencing.com
QuadRims.com
RealtyHarbor.com
RecoveryRescue.com
ReduceKilos.com
RetailFurnishings.com
RiverRoutes.com
RxDetox.com
ScreenUtility.com
SeasideCeremony.com
SqueezeMop.com
StructureDamage.com
TechProjector.com
TexturesLibrary.com
ThermalTiles.com
TokyoCharter.com
TransitTips.com
ValentineGoods.com
VeganCondiments.com
VegetarianTreat.com
WinterYears.com

Happy Domaining!

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