The veterans of domain buying already have a routine: when they’re interested in a new domain, they start their research. Maybe they consult Google for all its wisdom right away; maybe they explore WhoIs in order to make sure everything’s on the up and up. But the point is that every good domain buyer – and seller – has a way of handling their research. If you’re going to become a major player on a site like WebsiteBroker.com, you’d better be able to do exactly the same.
But there’s just one problem. Where do you start? After all, no one just comes out and tells you where to start researching. That’s why it’s research: it’s your own fact-finding adventure. But to get you off on the right foot, let’s offer a few suggestions.
Start with Search Engines
Today’s research – no matter what the topic – always seems to start with a Google search. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it’s important that you remember that this is just a starting point.
After all, what do you enter into a search engine that will yield you specific information about the domains you’re interested in? First, of course, you want to know the domain’s performance on Google. Where does it rank for its own keyword? Other keywords? What happens when you type it in – do you see enhanced results for sub-pages?
There’s more. Each search engine will have advanced features that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with in order to get a comprehensive understanding of all there is to find out about a domain name.
Key Tip: Don’t just rely on one search engine – even if that search engine is Google. Cross-reference your research across a few search engines to confirm your findings and then move on.
Mastering “WhoIs”?
In perhaps the most basic and essential point of research in domain names, visiting WhoIs.com and entering in the domain name you’re researching will give you a little more information about said domain than search engines. It’s not that the information is necessarily better than that of search engines, but it is different – and that difference is something you’ll want to understand right way.
At WhoIs, you’ll find not only who owns the domain name but where it’s registered. WhoIs is also a great resource for finding out whether or not certain domain names have been registered or are available for registration yourself.
Key Tip: Remember that WhoIs can be a great tool – but it’s also just a starting point. It will provide some essential information and should be a part of your regular search arsenal, but don’t forget to cross-reference your information with the research you do further down the line.
Once you’ve gotten this type of head start to your research, you’ll find yourself exploring new roads and avenues that hadn’t previously occurred to you. That’s great news, because it doesn’t only mean your research is off to a great start, but you’ve started learning how to handle it yourself. It’s a skill that can make you a lot of money.
