Domainers & Domaining???

I'm not a domainer, but I came across this post yesterday... hope it helps!

30 Tools to Name and Register your Domain
http://mashable.com/2007/10/17/30-tools-name-register-domain/

Check out this very thorough article on how to be a successful domainer at the Aviva Directory:

http://www.avivadirectory.com/domain/

If you want to see the supposed top prices paid for domain names, check out soldnames.com.

I know a little bit

You could write a lot answering your question...I will try to give you a few highlights.

1)  Easiest way to check out expiring domains is to get accounts at snapnames.com and pool.com.  Their platforms allow you to do research about what is expiring and give you the ability to purchase or bid on names that you desire.  Some of the parking companies also have platforms for buying domains.

2)  You can check the backlinks and make an educated guess as to the traffic they might be getting.

3)  I've parked at sedo.com and namedrive.com...I like the latter one better.  Of course, remember that domain development is a viable alternative to parking.

This is great info!
It sounds a little manual though still.
Is there a way to automate... what is coming available, what domains have what backlinks, and then suggest what domains to buy, click the ones you want and then your bid is put in automatically?

There is software out there that can automate part of the research, but I suggest that the decision of what domains to buy and what to pay for them can't be automated...much in the same way that SEO can't be automated.

Hi Clay,

Tangential to your post, Australia's domain name authority (www.auda.org.au) seeks comments on the future of .au. At one extreme is the suggestion of open slather on .au and the other extreme wants to minimise trading/speculation in .au domain names. I urge everyone involved with Australian domain names to share their two cents, starting at www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-06092007/.

To answer your question, anecdotal evidence is domaining can work in .com but there is too little traffic in .com.au. A leading domainer, www.sedo.com, provides tools/platforms etc. to host one's myriad domain names.

Jamie

Jamie
as a wannabe auDA member (I might be already, I was waiting approval) but also as someone on their mailing list for about a year I can say that the review is over and that they haven't recommended opening up .au domains, on the contrary they've actually recommended making it more stricter. Apparently domain registrars aren't required to check the validity of company/ ABN registrations when taking new registrations, so in effect you could make up a number and still get the domain name. They are saying that registrars should be forced to check this data.

On a side note: if anyone knows an easier way of getting a .au domain without the business registration let me know, it appears to me at least that a lot of companies aren't with some of the new names I'm seeing.

Hi Duncan,

So far auDA has just posted draft recommendations and is awaiting public comments before making the final recommendations.  If interested, please review the draft document www.auda.org.au/pdf/2007npp-draft-recs.pdf and then share your comments before 19 October with:
Jo Lim
Chief Policy Officer, auDA
email: jo.lim@auda.org.au

Jo is a sharp person and interested in feedback.

Registrars are supposed to check registrant details at the time of registration. This is old policy and will probably continue, albeit registrars and auDA would like to automate the process.

As for an easier way of getting a .au domain, auDA relaxed the door a wee bit or wide open -- depending on your perspective -- with the "close and substantial" rule. You will find details at www.auda.org.au/policies/auda-2006-03/

Cheers,                              jamie

hey duncan

i have some .com.au domains that arent related to my business name.
is that what you are referring to?

clay

thanks Jamie
Good to clarify it is really only worth participating in the .com market.
I have heard of Sedo before.
OK, so now that we have a place to park them... how do we know what expiring domains are worth buying?

FYI...
ok - i just read about NameJet launching today (found out through TechCrunch article) so I have signed up.
It's made it easy like ebay to buy expiring domain names.
I am "watching" a few domains through NameJet to see how it all works.