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Question for experienced flippers

by Wealthyclark
8 replies
I purchased an exact match domain about 5 months ago, I recently sold that domain for a very hefty profit. I never got around to building a website, or any back-links for this domain but it sold very easily. I believe that it sold easily due to the exact match key-phrase search volume (10,000+ monthly searches using Google's external keyword tool with, exact match, United Stated, and English settings).

Selling this domain so easily has multiple light bulbs hovering over my head, so I started searching for available exact-match domains with similar search volume. I've been able to find tons of these domains pretty easily but I have a couple of question before I make a final decision on pursuing my crazy ideas.

1. If I happen to purchase a new domain today with Godaddy, how soon would I be permitted to transfer that domain to another Godaddy user?

Some of the new domains that I'm finding may have copyright issues, here's an example of the type of key-phrases that I'm concerned about:

new Levi jacket

"Levi" would be the trademark

2. I know that most of you aren't layers, but in your experience, should there be any copyright issues with a website built for Amazon, Adsense or iTunes using phrases such as the example as the exact-match domain?

I'm thinking that as long as a the website does not attempt to imitate, damage, or deceive people into believing that it's owned by the official brand, everything should be fine. Quote: "I Think!"

Can shed some light on this from experience?
#experienced #flippers #question
  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Smale
    1) Pretty sure you can push to other GoDaddy users straight away. If not, just create throwaway accounts each time you buy a domain and give them access to that account.

    2) Yes, it would be infringing Trademark. Whether or not you would get caught is a different issue (chances are you wouldn't unless you started ranking for some competitive phrases). Trademark holders vary in their attitudes too, some might let you keep it as you are promoting their brand, others will send you a C&D pretty quickly.

    You want to be careful hosting Trademarked domains on a US server (especially if you have multiple sites) as hosts like Hostgator will respond quickly to a C&D and take all of your sites down without question. I'd advise hosting offshore and having the domain at a registrar such as internet.bs who are less strict with takedown notices than their US competitors.
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    • Profile picture of the author Wealthyclark
      Originally Posted by Thomas Smale View Post

      1) Pretty sure you can push to other GoDaddy users straight away. If not, just create throwaway accounts each time you buy a domain and give them access to that account.

      2) Yes, it would be infringing Trademark. Whether or not you would get caught is a different issue (chances are you wouldn't unless you started ranking for some competitive phrases). Trademark holders vary in their attitudes too, some might let you keep it as you are promoting their brand, others will send you a C&D pretty quickly.

      You want to be careful hosting Trademarked domains on a US server (especially if you have multiple sites) as hosts like Hostgator will respond quickly to a C&D and take all of your sites down without question. I'd advise hosting offshore and having the domain at a registrar such as internet.bs who are less strict with takedown notices than their US competitors.
      Thanks Thomas, all in all I guess the best thing to do would be to stay away from these types of domains. There's just so many of them, someone flipping them could stand to make a ton of cash but I wouldn't feel good about myself selling these to unsuspecting buyers. I'm still finding a good amount of domains without trademarks, so I'll see how it goes with them. Thanks Again!
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan B Rusu
        Ya you can push right away. Where are u selling ur domains? Flippa?
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        • Profile picture of the author Wealthyclark
          Originally Posted by Daniel7rusu View Post

          Ya you can push right away. Where are u selling ur domains? Flippa?
          Yes, thats where I actually sold the first one. I believe that we can only sell complete websites here in the for sale section, I'm wondering how much value it would add if I built affiliate sites for these domains and pushed them that way. I can put up a wordpress blog pretty quick but thats as far as I'm willing to work on these.

          Anyone have a view on this?
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan B Rusu
            Originally Posted by Wealthyclark View Post

            Yes, thats where I actually sold the first one. I believe that we can only sell complete websites here in the for sale section, I'm wondering how much value it would add if I built affiliate sites for these domains and pushed them that way. I can put up a wordpress blog pretty quick but thats as far as I'm willing to work on these.

            Anyone have a view on this?
            You could sell mini-sites. There are alot of beginners on here who don't know how and dont want to know do the work to build the sites. You could make a nice profit hiring a few outsourcers and selling these sites.

            I was considering doing that as an upsell for my current WSO and it fits right in with what I'm doing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Thomas Smale
        Originally Posted by Wealthyclark View Post

        Thanks Thomas, all in all I guess the best thing to do would be to stay away from these types of domains. There's just so many of them, someone flipping them could stand to make a ton of cash but I wouldn't feel good about myself selling these to unsuspecting buyers. I'm still finding a good amount of domains without trademarks, so I'll see how it goes with them. Thanks Again!
        Trademarked domains often get "flipped" at the low end of the market. Most buyers won't have a clue what they are buying and probably won't ever get round to building a site that would ever be noticed by the Trademark holder. Others will buy the domains knowing exactly what they are doing, make a quick profit and then drop it when they get a C&D.

        I'd advise steering clear of them full stop. Chances are you'll be okay (similar to everyone who was/is running movie sites) but it's always frustrating for you (or a buyer) to spend time building up a website only for it to be taken down when it's found.
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  • Profile picture of the author shelby7910
    [QUOTE=Wealthyclark;3122541]
    1. If I happen to purchase a new domain today with Godaddy, how soon would I be permitted to transfer that domain to another Godaddy user?


    Wealthyclark,
    You may already be aware, but if I'm not mistaken you can only push a Godaddy domain to a buyer if it's less than 60 days old (like daniel7rusu said). You can transfer it if it's more than 61 days old. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken please.
    Shelby
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  • Profile picture of the author jackpot9
    Different companies have different rules regarding containing their trademark in your domain name. Blizzard for instance does not give two cents because that to them is promoting blizzard. But you risk a lawsuit just anytime these companies decide to take some action (regardless of whether or not you're defaming them).

    My team have personally emailed many, many companies for permission, and almost all say they do not give anyone permission per say, but they asked me to consult my legal council in my country to determine if i would be breaking any laws, without needing their consent.

    The smart move would be to target generic terms not without involving any trademarks.
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