31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How would you brand this domain?

by cash365
27 replies
I bought okbizz.com a few years back.

At the time I liked it a lot, because it is short and sounds good. I wanted to use it mostly for a lead generation business for offline marketers, but I never started the business and am still planning to do it.

Some days ago a friend pointed out to me that it really is not such a brandable name, when you think of it, it could mean bizz is doing OK, but could be better...

At the moment I am using it only to promote very limited affiliate offers (before anyone points it out: I had some trouble with my autoresponder and currently I am not even building my list here, what a shame!).

So I would like to know what you folks would do with a domain like this. FYI I contacted the woman who owns okbiz.com and she wanted 1k USD for the domain.
#brand #domain
  • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
    Here's an idea for you.

    Why don't you make it the business directory for Oklahoma.

    You get a directory theme from theme Forrest or whoever, there are plenty to choose from. You set it up as a state directory.

    You let businesses claim their listings (I. E. pay you) and you make money.

    You'll need traffic to it to really have businesses wanting on board but that's easy enough.

    Patrick
    Signature
    Free eBook =>
    The Secret To Success In Any Business
    Yes, Any Business!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247651].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Thank you, Patrick, that is a great idea!

      My friend who critizised the name also pointed out that the only way he would brand it would be promoting Oklahoma businesses.

      I have not looked into the directory business, please can anyone direct me to some good sources on how to do this?
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247701].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author SteHughes90
        Banned
        I've built a couple of business listing websites in the past, one for me and one for a client. Here are my tips:

        1. you need emails, the site is useless unless its populated. phone, ring, send letters.... you need them to sign up and as your not in oklahoma you may struggle seeing as you cannot meet them in person.

        2. You need a free tier, explain if they spend another $50 they get a lifetime do-follow link and a better features (ability to reply to reviews worked well for us)

        3. be prepared to work hard for little money, a lot of people do this type of site and while there is money to be made their are easier ways to do it.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247718].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author cash365
          Thank you, SteHughes90!

          I had the same impression ("be prepared to work hard for little money, a lot of people do this type of site and while there is money to be made their are easier ways to do it."), but as I said, I have not looked into it...

          I thought I could use it to build very targeted sites on subdomains in niches like finance advisor or dentist and rent them to Oklahoma businesses for lead generation.
          Signature
          Failing forward fast
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247733].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    I'd honestly let it expire. No point torturing yourself to develop a website around it. Usually, the business idea comes first and then the domain. In exceptional circumstances, where you have an exceptional domain, it works the other way around. That isn't the case here. My suggestion: move on.

    - Tom
    Signature

    I Coach: Learn More | My Latest WF Thread: Dead Domains/ Passive Traffic

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247728].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Thank you, namesake!

      Since I have the "never give up" mentality, I had not thought of letting it go, specially since Google does not give any ranking advantage on your domain name anymore.

      But I will think about it, Tom.
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247735].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
        Sure Tom,

        Here you go. 35+ Best WordPress Directory Themes in 2015

        A friend uses the Explorable theme and likes it.

        There's 35 themes for you, I'm sure you can find one you like.

        Patrick
        Signature
        Free eBook =>
        The Secret To Success In Any Business
        Yes, Any Business!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247883].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
          Originally Posted by cash365 View Post


          Since I have the "never give up" mentality, I had not thought of letting it go, specially since Google does not give any ranking advantage on your domain name anymore.

          But I will think about it, Tom.
          What real ranking advantage do you think you have now?

          A domain is only a $10 loss. The time you spend trying to figure out what to do with it may cost you a whole lot more. Time that could be spent used to figure out what you really want to be making and selling.
          Signature

          "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247922].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author cash365
            Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

            What real ranking advantage do you think you have now?

            A domain is only a $10 loss. The time you spend trying to figure out what to do with it may cost you a whole lot more. Time that could be spent used to figure out what you really want to be making and selling.
            Jill, I think my domain has the same ranking advantage as any other... since EMDs are not in consideration any more... and for a local business lead generating site driven with paid traffic you don't have to rank anyhow. Do I see this wrong?

            Thank you for your advice about the time, it is very sound.
            Signature
            Failing forward fast
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248033].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author cash365
              Thank you for your thoughts, looseink, but greatbizz.com is already taken...

              Another thought I had was to use this domain also to have landing pages to grow my list from different prepopulated CPA offers
              Signature
              Failing forward fast
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248050].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author cash365
          Originally Posted by Enfusia View Post

          Sure Tom,

          Here you go. 35+ Best WordPress Directory Themes in 2015

          A friend uses the Explorable theme and likes it.

          There's 35 themes for you, I'm sure you can find one you like.

          Patrick
          Thanks a bunch, Patrick, really nice themes!
          Signature
          Failing forward fast
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10247983].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nonin
    I wouldn't waste my time on it and sadly we all own few domains that should be dropped and forgotten, but the hope dies the last :/
    Signature
    Shared Hosting & Dedicated Servers HostMaria ||| 22-24 Aug Domain Summit in London
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248077].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nonin
    Originally Posted by cash365 View Post

    So I would like to know what you folks would do with a domain like this. FYI I contacted the woman who owns okbiz.com and she wanted 1k USD for the domain.
    In your case 1k is great price - just imagine how much better your brand and domain will feel, look and sound. take it
    Signature
    Shared Hosting & Dedicated Servers HostMaria ||| 22-24 Aug Domain Summit in London
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248079].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Originally Posted by nonin View Post

      In your case 1k is great price - just imagine how much better your brand and domain will feel, look and sound. take it
      so you think the issue for branding my okbizz domain is not the ok part but the double z at the end?
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248683].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author nonin
        Originally Posted by cash365 View Post

        so you think the issue for branding my okbizz domain is not the ok part but the double z at the end?
        yes - exactly

        gl
        Signature
        Shared Hosting & Dedicated Servers HostMaria ||| 22-24 Aug Domain Summit in London
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10249862].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author RSK3000
          In my opinion the domain is worthless. Let it drop.

          The double 'z' is the problem. Its confusing and people may forget to type in both 'z's. So you would effectively be driving traffic to OKBiz.com, and increasing the value of OKBiz, as a consequence.

          This is how 'shiny object syndrome' works. Stick to building your list !
          Signature

          Blog Post: Why You Need Multiple Streams Of Income, NOW!
          For more internet marketing hints and tips follow me on Twitter - @TheIncomeSherpa

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10249999].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author cash365
            Originally Posted by RSK3000 View Post

            In my opinion the domain is worthless. Let it drop.

            The double 'z' is the problem. Its confusing and people may forget to type in both 'z's. So you would effectively be driving traffic to OKBiz.com, and increasing the value of OKBiz, as a consequence.

            This is how 'shiny object syndrome' works. Stick to building your list !
            Yes, I can see the problem with losing traffic to the biz site, thank you.
            Signature
            Failing forward fast
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10254651].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    It really doesn't matter what the domain name is. You shouldn't be going for "branding" anyway. Always focus on *direct response* marketing. Which means as soon as you run an ad or start a free marketing campaign.... you can hold your stats (and your marketing) accountable.

    So if you don't get a sale relatively soon, see what's wrong, tweak it, then make it profitable. But buying a domain and asking what to do with it is futile.
    Signature
    ==>> Free video reveals how to earn $10k/month with affiliate marketing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10248974].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Randall, what a great response, you just won a raving fan!

      I agree a 100% with what you say, or else how could one explain so many successful domains with hideous names?

      I fell into the branding trap because I offered the domain to a friend and she asked Caliban Darklock what he thought about it. He told her the domain was crap, no good for branding, except for Oklahoma businesses. End of story.

      Thank you very much, Randall!
      Have a nice Sunday!
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10249578].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    I have to agree with many of the others... there is no inherent advantage to sticking with that name. It is confusing, clunky and unbrandable.

    I would let it go and refocus your efforts on finding something more brandable. Not necessarily because you want a strong brand, but because the advantages of a brandable domain will ultimately give you more findability and credibility. It will also give you a piece of real estate you will be more proud to identify with.

    Take a look at some of the "biz"-type domains available at Brand Bucket - I am not suggesting you buy one of these, but it should give you some sense of the types of domains that have some desirability/value. You can probably find something better than what you have in an hour playing with the tools at these three sites.

    Good luck, whatever you decide.
    Signature
    Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10250057].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Originally Posted by Jack Gordon View Post

      ...

      Take a look at some of the "biz"-type domains available at Brand Bucket - I am not suggesting you buy one of these, but it should give you some sense of the types of domains that have some desirability/value. You can probably find something better than what you have in an hour playing with the tools at these three sites.

      Good luck, whatever you decide.
      Thank you Jack, nice tools!
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10254648].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cgkoste
    I'm on the fence on this one. my gut reaction is to let it go. I see potential for a Oklahoma business directory. I would maybe do it in my spare time, but be prepared to spend some money developing it
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10250085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AuthorityBuilder
    Originally Posted by cash365 View Post

    I bought okbizz.com a few years back.

    At the time I liked it a lot, because it is short and sounds good. I wanted to use it mostly for a lead generation business for offline marketers, but I never started the business and am still planning to do it.

    Some days ago a friend pointed out to me that it really is not such a brandable name, when you think of it, it could mean bizz is doing OK, but could be better...

    At the moment I am using it only to promote very limited affiliate offers (before anyone points it out: I had some trouble with my autoresponder and currently I am not even building my list here, what a shame!).

    So I would like to know what you folks would do with a domain like this. FYI I contacted the woman who owns okbiz.com and she wanted 1k USD for the domain.
    Enfusia has given you a great idea and ranking the Okhlahoma business directory in Google.us page 1 along with bringing in lots of traffic will create the road to success for you.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10250122].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Originally Posted by AuthorityBuilder View Post

      Enfusia has given you a great idea and ranking the Okhlahoma business directory in Google.us page 1 along with bringing in lots of traffic will create the road to success for you.
      Yes, thank you, AuthorityBuilder, I will look into this!
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10254647].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rachelamitsharan
    Tom, you've a good lead of using it for Oklahoma business directory. Another think I noticed is that the domain OKBIZ.COM is not really being used. So you don't have to fear it unless you really hit it big with your domain. In that case, you brand would anyway be established and that extra z won't be much of a problem. All the best!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10254659].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author cash365
      Originally Posted by rachelamitsharan View Post

      Tom, you've a good lead of using it for Oklahoma business directory. Another think I noticed is that the domain OKBIZ.COM is not really being used. So you don't have to fear it unless you really hit it big with your domain. In that case, you brand would anyway be established and that extra z won't be much of a problem. All the best!
      Thank you, rachelamitasharan.
      Signature
      Failing forward fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10260742].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DollarShark
      Originally Posted by rachelamitsharan View Post

      Tom, you've a good lead of using it for Oklahoma business directory. Another think I noticed is that the domain OKBIZ.COM is not really being used. So you don't have to fear it unless you really hit it big with your domain. In that case, you brand would anyway be established and that extra z won't be much of a problem. All the best!


      not bad idea!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10260880].message }}

Trending Topics