Domain Names

List filtering services parse the drop lists and let you perform very narrow searches of the drop lists based on specific criteria. For example, you can search the drop lists for names that meet criteria such as Google PageRank, Alexa Rank, Domain Age, Character Length, Number of Google Results, Overture Ranking, Backlinks, Dictionary Term, DMOZ Directory Listing, etc. Depending on what’s important to you (I’ll cover what’s important in the Valuation Techniques section below), there are many potential searches you could perform. These can be narrowed by drop catcher and/or whether or not the names are Pending Delete.

I recommend setting up accounts at the following three List Filtering Services. Try them all out and stick with the one you like best.

Premium Drops
Their service is the best and is used by the pros. Lots of notification features, bells and whistles, etc. The site is easy to use and is fast. I, personally, use Premium Drops.

Fresh Drop
Cludgy interface, but great integration with GoDaddy auctions.

Drop Day
Not the prettiest or most advanced list filtering site, but it’s free and has all the basics.

Drop Hunt
Expired domain search engine. I don’t use it, but some swear by it.

Just Dropped
Dropped domain search engine. I don’t use it, but some swear by it.

Daily Domain Drop
I’ve never used it, but I have heard good things.

Drop Scout
At the time of this writing, they are still developing the site, but it looks like it will be good.

The first rule of domain investing is to NEVER, EVER go out and hand register hundreds of domain names. This is rookie mistake #1. The price of domains is so low ($6 – $10 per name) that it is very tempting to hand register hundreds of domains. Don’t waste your time.

At this stage in the game, you can safely assume that 99.9% of the good names have already been registered and that you’re not going to become the next Rockefeller by going out and hand registering a bunch of names. I learned this the hard way. Don’t make the same mistake. The renewal fees will kill you.

If you have $1,000 to invest in domain names, it is always better to take your time and buy just one or two really great domain names for $1,000 than to hand register 125 names for $8 each. From then on, you’ll be on the hook for $1,000 per year to renew your 125 names instead of just $8 or $16 per year to renew your one or two great domains.

Since so many domainers are overextended right now, if you have a little bit of cash, you can buy some great domains in the $500 – $1,000 range from domain investors in the aftermarket or at auctions. The only time you should hand register a domain is if you are 100% sure you’ll develop it.