xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

What Makes a Good Domain? The Expert's List.

Including Rick Latona in a blog post provided the perfect segue to an entry on domains. I think the last time I saw Rick was at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. live domain auction. What a dynamic business, this domain name game. Every day domains are added, renewed, transferred, locked, forgotten, deleted, or put in limbo, while others are the subject of litigation or arbitration to determine who really owns them.

When evaluating domain names, remember appraisals are inconsistent and the valuations may be artificially inflated, as many appraisers can try to appeal to your vanity or greed and even outright scams exist. Look for free, objective, reliable advice on relevant forums, and if it is a significant purchase, use Moniker.com, still the only service recognized by the IRS for domain name appraisal. Consider the following when starting your due diligence:

What Makes a Good Domain?

  • A Natural Generic Brand [search volume = mindshare].

  • It's Easy to Remember [radio test].

  • It's Clear, Concise and Descriptive [what does it say to the user?].

  • It's Commercially Oriented [existing search bids?].

  • Which Industry Segment [is the segment hot/cold, new/old]?

  • Does it have Existing Type-In Traffic [marketing benefit]?

  • Does it have developed Back links, Page rank, Alexa Rank?

  • What is the age of the domain?

  • Mistypes [generics vs. trademark]?

  • Was it Previously registered, and for how long [not available through registration]?

  • Has it been Publicly sold [value previously established]?

  • Check for double meanings [eg. therapistfinder.com].

  • What is its History [wayback machine, blacklisted]?

Compliments of Monte Cahn, Founder and CEO of Moniker.com, the first and only provider of Domain Asset Management Services.

Related Links and Products

Up and Running - Choose a Domain

Monte Cahn is host of the Internet radio show “Domain Masters” on www.WebmasterRadio.fm, which airs weekly on Wednesdays at 7 PM EST.

DNForum



Webbilling.com - Best Alternative Processor

Click Here for Additional Help Starting or Improving Your Online Business

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Tips for Testing Content to Maximize Conversions

Everyone’s looking for what’s next, hot and new. That’s understandable. Who doesn’t want to be on the cutting edge, riding the next wave? But before you rush to reinvent yourself, remember this: The most successful creators aren’t the ones chasing trends. They’re the ones who take the time to figure out what actually works before committing to big changes.

Megan Stokes ·
profile

Eversense Founder Matty Hennessy Discusses Engineering Products for Trans Bodies

For transgender folks shopping for pleasure products, it can be a daunting challenge to find items that accommodate their changing bodies, address their specific needs and support gender affirmation during intimacy.

Celine Shore ·
opinion

How Adult Businesses Can Navigate Global Compliance Demands

The internet has made the world feel small. Case in point: Adult websites based in the U.S. are now getting letters from regulators demanding compliance with foreign laws, even if they don’t operate in those countries. Meanwhile, some U.S. website operators dealing with the patchwork of state-level age verification laws have considered incorporating offshore in the hopes of avoiding these new obligations — but even operators with no physical presence in the U.S. have been sued or threatened with claims for not following state AV laws.

Larry Walters ·
opinion

Top Tips for Bulletproof Creator Management Contracts

The creator management business is booming. Every week, it seems, a new agency emerges, promising to turn creators into stars, automate their fan interactions or triple their revenue through “secret” social strategies. The reality? Many of these agencies are operating with contracts that wouldn’t survive a single serious dispute — if they even have contracts at all.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

LSMT's Allison Brazier on Creating a More Connected Shopping Experience

Managing adult retail stores in Florida and Texas has never been for the faint of heart, but lately it’s become a veritable high-wire act. Between new legislation and shifting local attitudes, it seems like every day brings a new obstacle.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Building Sustainable Revenue Without Opt-Out Cross-Sales

Over the past year, we’ve seen growing pushback from acquirers on merchants using opt-out cross-sales — also known as negative option offers. This has been especially noticeable in the U.S. In fact, one of our acquirers now declines new merchants during onboarding if an opt-out flow is detected. Existing merchants submitting new URLs with opt-out cross-sales are being asked to remove them.

Cathy Beardsley ·
trends

How to Handle Payment Disputes Without Sacrificing Trust

You can run the best-managed and most compliant website out there, but that still doesn’t completely shield you from the risks tied to payment disputes. Buyer’s remorse, an unclear billing description or even a simple misunderstanding can lead a customer to dispute a transaction. Accumulate enough disputes, and both your reputation and revenue could be at risk.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Supporting Male Shoppers Managing Stress and Performance Issues

When focusing on men’s sexual health, one crucial topic to discuss is how stress can impact men’s sexual well-being, and what can be done about it.

Staci Cruse ·
profile

Sienna Day Talks Creator Life, Longevity and Loving the Work

When Sienna Day heard her name called onstage at the Euro XMAs in Amsterdam, the newly crowned 2025 MILF Creator of the Year froze — then floated.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Tips for Upgrading Retail Merchandising With AI

When an order from CalExotics arrived at one of our stores in Livermore, I wanted to help build the wall. After reorganizing it, I took a picture and asked ChatGPT what it thought of the wall. First, it noticed a gap in the top row and recommended adding a toy there or changing the spacing. Then it said, “I noticed there are some toys on the right that aren’t in boxes. You should take those down or put them in boxes.”

Zondre Watson ·
Show More