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Registering a domain for a small business, and THEN approaching them.

by Marty S
6 replies
I was wondering if anyone has tried this as a means to get new clients that you KNOW should be online.
#approaching #business #domain #registering #small
  • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
    Hi Marty,

    Yes, I have tried this.

    It is an interesting and profitable business model.

    However, I will register a generic domain e.g. dentistdallas.com Rather than their practicename.com

    This means that if they are not interested in buying or renting the site, then I can approach one of their competitors instead.

    Sometimes, a company (or practice) will not be particularly interested in having the site (e.g. their order backs are already full!) but the thought of it going to one of their competitors worries them.

    I tend to look for say dentists who are not ranking particularly well in the SERPS, and then build a generic site for them, and try to rank it for a long-tail keyword first of all.

    E.g. EmergencyDentistDallas.com

    If you also look for threads/posts on the site rental model, you will pick up a lot of great tips.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      In one of the very first WSOs I ever bought a guy was talking about this. He'd mine for businesses without a site - then would register "theirname.com"

      He'd approach them all and pitched them sites. If they said no, he'd offer to sell them their domain name for less than what a competitor offered.

      Borderline unethical - I'm not one to knock the hustle.
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      • Profile picture of the author Marty S
        Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

        In one of the very first WSOs I ever bought a guy was talking about this. He'd mine for businesses without a site - then would register "theirname.com"

        He'd approach them all and pitched them sites. If they said no, he'd offer to sell them their domain name for less than what a competitor offered.
        Interesting. It does start a conversation.

        Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

        Borderline unethical - I'm not one to knock the hustle.
        Not sure I see the unethical part here though?? I mean at least he offered the domain back to the business.
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  • Profile picture of the author NYC Partners
    I don't see the ethical dilemma unless we are trying to hold up the potential client. As long as this is a formula just to "get your foot in the door" and you are not looking to rake tons of money, it sounds to me like it could work, but you gotta be selective about which businesses you do this for. Maybe it would make sense to wait until you have an appointment before springing for the domain name?
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    You would have to be real careful in your approach. I would think most prospects would perceive that as some implied threat. You never get a 2nd chance for a 1st impression.
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  • Profile picture of the author wtc
    From my experience, registering a keyword domain like Mark mentioned works well.

    This allows you to rank for the keyword first and get a tracking number on the site pointing at a prospect. After sending a lead or two, call the business and ask if they want to continue getting leads. If they're not interested (or other reasons like the leads not being good, etc), switch the destination number to another prospect and continue.

    Keep ownership of the site and charge a flat rental monthly or by the lead.
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