Scooby.com -- am I crazy to build this site?

46 replies
Hey guys.

I'm going to build a website marketplace. Am I crazy to brand the site on scooby.com domain?

What do you pros think about using this domain to build a serious business?

Much appreciation for your input.
#build #crazy #scoobycom #site
  • Profile picture of the author Schphiinxy
    Can you give us a little more information about what you had planned?

    PS. I decided to start participating in this forum and get serious about marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author RogueOne
    What will the site sell? Why that domain? It's usually best to have your main keywords in your url if possible.
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by RogueOne View Post

      What will the site sell? Why that domain? It's usually best to have your main keywords in your url if possible.
      The site will allow people to buy/sell websites and mobile apps ( w/ source code ). Additionally, on the same site you will be able to buy and sell your services.

      The reason behind the domain is what I'm hoping to find out by making this thread. The scooby.com domain is extremely easy to remember. I would just like to hear someone say, " Yes, what a great little domain you should totally build your dream site on that".

      Thanks for your input!
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    • Profile picture of the author BackLinkiT
      Originally Posted by RogueOne View Post

      It's usually best to have your main keywords in your url if possible.
      That's very 2011, old chap!
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  • Profile picture of the author JimWaller
    Is "scooby" trademarked by Hanna Barbera? You could have infringement issues down the line. I'm not a lawyer, nor am I trying to offer legal advice. I'm just trying to point out a potential concern.

    Jim
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by JimWaller View Post

      Is "scooby" trademarked by Hanna Barbera? You could have infringement issues down the line. I'm not a lawyer, nor am I trying to offer legal advice. I'm just trying to point out a potential concern.

      Jim
      Thanks. To the best of my knowledge, only scooby-doo and other terms like that are trademarked.

      scooby-doo
      scoobies
      scooby snacks
      etc.

      the word scooby, however, does not appear to be trademarked. I definitely won't infringe on their cartoon character.
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      • Profile picture of the author Schphiinxy
        Definitely an easy to remember name. I think the way you pull off the site will be your key to success in this venture. Scooby.com is great, but I don't think it will win or lose you many users in this case.
        Just my opinion.
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        • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
          Originally Posted by Schphiinxy View Post

          Definitely an easy to remember name. I think the way you pull off the site will be your key to success in this venture. Scooby.com is great, but I don't think it will win or lose you many users in this case.
          Just my opinion.
          Thanks for your honest opinion. It is definitely the most challenging project I have ever worked on development wise. The user experience will be a major hurdle because I am bringing multiple major project types to one platform.
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  • Profile picture of the author the goat
    That's a great name, I don't think you'd be crazy to use it for anything. I do think you could think bigger with such a good name though.
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by the goat View Post

      That's a great name, I don't think you'd be crazy to use it for anything. I do think you could think bigger with such a good name though.
      Thanks for the inspiration. I promise I do think big..this site will be pretty massive in scale.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Carl
    I like that domain. Perfectly brandable, in my opinion, even though it has nothing to do with buying/selling what you plan on buying/selling.

    Still a great, easy to remember domain though.
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    • Profile picture of the author cashp0wer
      I like it even though it obviously has nothing to do with your website. I think scooby will be very easy for people to remember, which is a great thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author EricIM
    I typically like domains that are descriptive and/or have keywords, but the exception for me is

    1. If I can't get one I want or

    2. I have a good memorable name.

    That is a good memorable name so go for it man.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    scooby.com is very brandable and memorable since its already stored in the memory of millions. If there is no trademark issue then I say go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author WraithSarko
    it's a great name, just don't sell dog treats!
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    • Profile picture of the author elzafonv
      Originally Posted by WraithSarko View Post

      it's a great name, just don't sell dog treats!
      LOL
      i think the domain name is really great. u should try it. good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author luckystepho
    If you have checked and there are no trademark issues then go for it- but avoid any reference to Scooby Doo!
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  • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
    That sound nice and it's a easy to remember name, I'd say go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author schttrj
    One of the most important things of any of these online marketplaces are:

    User-friendliness.

    Trustworthiness.

    User-base.

    Work on these and you are gold!
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  • Profile picture of the author CashExpert
    Scooby.com is a great name . I think it will be good for a dog niche .
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  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    Before you spend any time on it shoot it past a lawyer. You don't want to lose all of your work later on.
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
    As long as the domain cleared the trademark issue I would simply turn it into a massive marketplace filled with affiliate links, develop a solid traffic source and then shop around to venture capitalist's. You could go the flippa route, but with a name like Scooby.com you'd attract far more lucrative offers if you built your site correctly.
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  • Profile picture of the author zaraki
    sound like a dog or movie sites
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  • Profile picture of the author NicolaTewhare
    I love it. I prefer brandable and memorable domain names. Much better than keyword rich ones. Might take some work to get recognition but it will be worth it in the end.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
    How did you get about to purchasing that domain?
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by Simon Ashari View Post

      How did you get about to purchasing that domain?
      We made a private purchase in 2003 for the domain and have held onto it for a long time.
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      • Profile picture of the author merlincat
        Love this name and it is very brandable (is that a word?)

        Scooby is also a nickname for Subaru cars, so could be a valuable resale domain
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  • Profile picture of the author gax13
    Banned
    Clearly,'scooby" it's not trademarked!
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by gax13 View Post

      Clearly,'scooby" it's not trademarked!
      It's not, but thanks for your concern.
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  • Profile picture of the author daddykool
    Wow, have not seen that one for a while Dave!

    Perfect for any branded niche in any subject... when we had it, it was bought for a Subaru Impreza real world car sales forecourt and servicing forum, which might be a better profit margin, than a "website marketplace" idea in today's cluttered on line world!!!

    Did you get this with 4 other generics at the same time? PM us for a chat and JV brainstorm, be nice to hear about where she has been since 1993
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by daddykool View Post

      Wow, have not seen that one for a while Dave!

      Perfect for any branded niche in any subject... when we had it, it was bought for a Subaru Impreza real world car sales forecourt and servicing forum, which might be a better profit margin, than a "website marketplace" idea in today's cluttered on line world!!!

      Did you get this with 4 other generics at the same time? PM us for a chat and JV brainstorm, be nice to hear about where she has been since 1993
      I can't PM you apparently but I have a nicely written response on my clipboard .. Maybe if you PM me I can reply.

      To keep it short though, yes we bought in a small package all at once.

      and thank you for teaching me about the subaru.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        That word is not trademarked - but that word is part of a term that has many trademarks.

        I like it - but I wouldn't use it until I checked with a person qualified (attorney experienced in trademark issues) to tell me if there is a potential problem...or not. Otherwise, you can put in a lot of work, time and money - and lose it.

        The problem is that spelling IS trademarked in our minds - and no one here knows how stringently the scooby-doo trademark is enforced.

        kay
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        • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          That word is not trademarked - but that word is part of a term that has many trademarks.

          I like it - but I wouldn't use it until I checked with a person qualified (attorney experienced in trademark issues) to tell me if there is a potential problem...or not. Otherwise, you can put in a lot of work, time and money - and lose it.

          The problem is that spelling IS trademarked in our minds - and no one here knows how stringently the scooby-doo trademark is enforced.

          kay
          Thank you for the insight. This will definitely be seen by an attorney before we make any commitments. If it passes trademark issues I am going with it!
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  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    Everyone will think of the cartoon dog first and foremost.
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  • Profile picture of the author neilward
    Would make sense to me to use it for a pet related affiliate site and then find something else for your website selling domain. Maybe something with a slight relation to websites.
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  • Profile picture of the author phil.wheatley
    You really might want to consider finding out what you could sell the domain for, it could be worth a fortune and will take zero work for you. Then you can invest the money you made from it.
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post

      You really might want to consider finding out what you could sell the domain for, it could be worth a fortune and will take zero work for you. Then you can invest the money you made from it.
      How would I do this Phil? I saw a place on dnforums to check but it costs $60 and I'm not a serious domainer -- so I'd hate to spend that kind of money just to get an appraisal.

      Thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I think you should stick with your original plan. It is a catchy name and as long as you check the legality, could be a great site.
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        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
        ***
        My ducks are absolutely not in a row. I don't even know where some of them are...
        ...and I'm pretty sure one of them is a pigeon.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    Scooby.com is a fantastic brandable domain. Even if it is trademarked, as long as you use it for purposes completely different from the trademarked use, you will be fine. That's not to say you won't be challenged, but a trademark is only applicable within the industry it is registered for.

    I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. As Kay suggested, I wouldn't use it until I checked with a person qualified to give you the legal thumbs up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    You could apply for a trade mark for it. That would cost around $600 if I remember right, but might be cheaper than a lawyer. It would completely clear up any confusion about a trademark, if you own the trademark.

    Otherwise even a lawyer giving his opinion might have a different opinion from another lawyer.
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    • Profile picture of the author DaveW82
      Originally Posted by Lloyd Buchinski View Post

      You could apply for a trade mark for it. That would cost around $600 if I remember right, but might be cheaper than a lawyer. It would completely clear up any confusion about a trademark, if you own the trademark.

      Otherwise even a lawyer giving his opinion might have a different opinion from another lawyer.
      great advice, I will look into this.

      Thanks,

      David
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Scooby.com is a great name. It is easily brandable, no matter what you use it for. Those that are suggesting it is not good, because it does not have keywords in it, are thinking small. They are assuming you are putting a site up and hoping for search engine traffic. They don't realize that successful businesses advertise their brand. Imagine if Amazon and eBay thought that way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deepak Media
    An awesome domain name! Did u buy it as a premium one? I bet you did unless you originally registered it in 1999!
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  • Profile picture of the author heartthrobkid
    Nice Domain Name .
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  • Profile picture of the author daddykool
    Will do Dave!

    Did not notice the less than 50 posts on your profile, do not worry, you will be up to 50 in no time, with this sort of WF thread!

    One of the girls will PM you with a contact for us
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Listen to Gene and EBR.

    A brandable domain is much better than a keyword domain.

    And so long as you are not selling dog-related stuff or cartoon-related stuff, you should be in great shape.

    Of course, I am not an attorney, nor do I pretend to be one on the internet. But trademarks only protect the name associated to a certain industry or products.
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