Ask your question about domain names paid search or anything I post about, and I will do my level-best to answer you. Select the Comments text below:
This entry was posted by Frank Schilling on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at 8:08 AM and is filed under
Ask Frank a Question:. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Check Out The ‘Starting Lineup’ Of This Domain Name Team!
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb565837.htm
Best,
Dan
Deloitte & Touche study suggests that Frank Schilling is closing in on Google:
http://fragerfactor.blogspot.com/2007/11/is-frank-schilling-becoming-more.html
Frank in the latest Modern Domainer magazine, Mark Ostrofsky is quoted as saying “Its smarter to invest $100K in three or four great .info names than one.com name. After five years the .info’s will go up much faster relative to the .com.”
Do you agree ?
***FS*** Absolutely not. I couldn’t disagree more. In fact you should bottle Mark’s quote to play back for him in five years time to show him how wrong he was.
Study Shows German Internet Users Prefer Memorable Domain Names for Cities and Regions
http://www.circleid.com/posts/711212_german_internet_domain_names/
Dan
Got a call from Vancouver from a woman claiming to “be your assistant” and asking for personal information. Then she sent me this 10 domains of christmas that I posted. Is this legit?
http://fragerfactor.blogspot.com/2007/11/frank-schillings-assistant-writes-if.html
Formative years of Net in steady hands
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sunprofile4nov04,1,4959073.story?coll=la-headlines-business
__
White Paper on domain names management
** http://www.dns-news.fr/
** (Top right…PDF in English)
__
Dan
Frank,
I think it would be extremely useful if you could paint a picture for the general audience here on the recent changes at ICANN and where that is going to lead in terms of investment opportunities in the domain space. Peter Dengate-Trush is no Vint Cerf.
I think it is best cover by Intellectual Property Watch at:
http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=807&res=&res=1024_ff&print=0
You will note:
This may be over with the new chairman, Dengate-Thrush. The New Zealander did not shy away from voting against the much-debated new .com-registry contract with VeriSign. He also joined a minority of board members defending the application of .xxx against a board vote allegedly motivated by government and some industry pressure.
***FS*** I saw that.. Per my previous comment on this, I think the new chair could be a fresh breath of air.. Things could start moving much more fluidly at ICANN.. But it’s difficult to say without seeing what the passage of time brings. I don’t know this gent but his style seems to be fair-minded. Let’s see what the river brings.
Frank
Apparently, Andrew Allemann, the guy who writes DomainNameWire was trying to hi-jack a domain over at godaddy. He admits it in his latest article: http://domainnamewire.com/2007/11/02/has-godaddy-done-a-180-on-invalid-whois/
He reported a domain for false whois with the hope that it would drop and he would get it. He says he did this 5 months ago. 5 months ago Godaddy didn’t have auctions, they had a backorder system that insured that if you were the first to backorder a domain, you would get the domain.
I am assuming andrew placed a backorder on the
domain he reported.
I find this to be strange behavior for an industry guy.
I found a domain at Godaddy that I wanted which had false whois after the familyalbum.com scandal, but I couldn’t bring myself to try a stunt like reporting the guy for false whois and putting in a backorder for it.
Lets face it, nobody wants to put their home address in the whois. To take advantage of that seems unethical.
What are yout thoughts? Is this unethical?
***FS*** I don’t think this is the right way to go about getting domain names.. Without any additional info or mitigating circumstances it certainly looks to be a sneaky/smarmy way to go about acquiring a registration (by batting it out of another owner’s hands) particularly if acceptable whois privacy is involved. Worse yet if you managed to successfully acquire a name in this way and it could be proven that ‘you’ filed the problem report the former owner may have a shot at useating again, or at least challenging your subsequent registration rights by dragging interference, fraud or some other unfair competition argument in the ring. It smacks of “not the right way to do things”.
Frank,
I wanted to quickly post regarding the recent developments of the Hollywood writers going on strike… Watching CNBC the commentary was that this will further drive people to the Web for media. Media that is created, produced, and published by end-users. The writers want a piece of this action and the powers-that-be apparently don’t want to share.
http://search.cnbc.com/main.do?target=all&keywords=hollywood%20strike
The Era of Bottom-Up Brands
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119393895627879318.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Dan
Hi Frank,
Do you think ppc marketing will only get larger in the future ? Do you think ppa will overtake cpc or do you think they will coexist ?
Thanks
***FS*** I think PPC will always have it’s place because a certain segment of advertisers prefers it. I think you’ll see more PPA in certain verticals in future.. Depends on the product or service.
Frank,
I have a domain portfolio prospectus that I think you’ll find interesting reading, regardless of whether you’re personally interested in purchasing it or not. It’s a large PDF, however, so I’ll need to email it to you. Just email me, and I’ll get it right back to you.
Also, if you’d like a second opinion before contacting me, Sahar and I have been corresponding about it as well today, so he can give you some details.
Thanks,
Shane
Techie uses cybersquatting to tempt Google
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyId=16&articleId=9045620&intsrc=hm_topic
Lol, isn’t this funny !
hey Frank,
for kicks, was curious to see if you could share what your first domain buy was.
http://www.domainersgazette.com/my-first-domain-name-was/
I regularly visit ten or twelve blogs a day, always saving Sevenmile for last, you know the saying. Well, one site in particular has become increasingly droll so I’d save it for next to last because it had a convenient link to Sevenmile. Eventually the only reason to visit this blog was for the springboard. Well, now the springboard is gone, your link is no longer there so I simply made my own handy link to your most excellent blog.
Coincidentally, I noticed the link to the other site earned a dead last mention on your list, then dissappeared altogether. I never used it anyways, to do so was a letdown.
Don’t change a thing, priceless content on Sevenmile. Thanks.
Bill Henson
Frank,
Barry Diller will be featured at 8pm EST Sunday on CNBC “Beyond the Boardroom”. I am sure the IAC breakup will be on the list of topics.
Mac
Frank,
Going to back to your post on a “Wiki for every domain name,” I did create a wiki and it definitely worked. (Stats: http://www.usavisawiki.com/firestats) The conversion vs. traffic is not that great and PPC basically pays the hosting charges. The problem is that I have parked domains that make so much more; it’s almost de-motivating to build out sites like this. It’s the “domainer’s paradox,” much like the “productivity paradox” aka the “Solow computer paradox,” (MIT). Domainer.com is interesting but with a Godaddy account I could (and probably will) put up 100 blogs like what they do. Development is a big industry issue, sharedreviews.com is good, but only a small piece of the puzzle. What can we do as a group to get ourselves beyond “the dip” here?
Thanks,
SA
***FS*** That’s a great ? Scott and I’ve seen it too.. don’t have all the answers yet.. nothing I can post a short answer to anyway.
U.S. Internet Control Lead Topic in Rio
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFAOdMvCcOwwmbIGaNmRbAKVZt7QD8SPNE9G1
Dan
I saw Sirisu.com up for auction on Sedo. I don’t think the satellite radio companies get it.
Try XM.com, Radio.com, or even SERIOUS.com. Sad, because I don’t think the satellites will be that important in the future.
http://radiofromspace.com/2007/11/09/sirisucom-up-for-auction/
Do you think all major companies will have employees focused on purchasing domains in the future?
Thank you for your blog. I’ve learned much from your postings.
.Mobi Buyer’s Remorse?
http://www.domainnamenews.com/domain-aftermarket/mobi-buyers-remorse/1300
Dan
***FS*** Thanks so much Danno.. caught that here: http://www.sevenmile.com/2007-11/mobi-less-than-solid-sales/ … but thanks bro
Have a great weekend.
Frank,
Have you seen this?
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-adwords-domain-ads-exclusion-think-before-you-block-domain-ads/5968/
“Google AdWords is running limited testing of a feature which lets its advertisers block domain parking sites which their AdWords ads will be served on; specifically ‘Domain Ads’ and ‘Error Page Ads.
If Google rolls out full force with this blocking of the serving of advertiser AdWords ads on domain parking sites, this could potentially be a real blow to domain registration and parking companies, leading to deals with other paid search engines to fill the void.”
SA
***FS*** This is only scary if you have lousy traffic or traffic which is unwanted/doesn’t convert.. Read my kips: “Google needs traffic”, over and above what their search engine can deliver. They know this. If goog won’t pay.. take the traffic away. you have the luxury of pulling your traffic.. traffic is the key.
Frank,
In a world where one can easily buy up “keyword rich” and “exact match” domain names that can be SEO’d and rank next to ads that businesses are paying top dollar for, when will the “keyword domain” be seen as more valuable than the keywords businesses are bidding on? Why not turn sandiegoobgyn.com into a sanfranciscoobgyn.com?
The affiliate guys are starting to get it:
http://diorex.wordpress.com/2007/11/03/how-to-get-pages-with-no-content-to-rank-with-no-effort-domain-ager-domain-embarking/
SA
This is the best MS can think up when it comes to Internet search?…good grief!
http://valleywag.cou-cant-win-eyeballs-buy-them-says-microsoft-321042.php
Best,
Dan
Sorry…correct link for post above this.
http://valleywag.com/tech/search/if-you-cant-win-eyeballs-buy-them-says-microsoft-321042.php
Internet control by U.S. promises to be hot topic at U.N. forum
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004007171_internet11.html
Best,
Dan
I was wonder living in the Caymans, do you know about Twenty Four Hours LLC and who they are? their address is in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
BTW it’s getting cold up here ina Canada…sure you don’t miss that part lol
Thanks
Frank
***FS*** Have never heard of these folks mentioned in Cayman or around Cayman .. Could be a company based elsewhere using Cayman Corporate registration or could be a new entity locally I haven’t heard of yet
Thanks Frank, I appreciate your time.
I thought so to, maybe their way of protecting themselves since it’s an LLC.
Just a little comment on the .mobi article:
“Personally, I like the extension because there is a purpose to it, but as a domainer I’d rather have a .ca than just any .mobi.”
Keep rocking that Blog, I’ve learnt alot reading it.
Thanks Again & all the best fro the great white north, Montreal to be exact.
Frank R
Frank,
Not sure if you saw the message but apparently not getting responses. What do you think of .ca domains and their value in the future? Do you think it is wise to invest in canadian domains? It seems they are very popular.
***FS*** I think .ca’s are excellent.. helped my family get into them.. they’re great domains.
Frank,
some time ago you mentioned in a post something regarding a friend or colleague was working on a domainers guidebook, how to, or something to that effect. Did that ever come to fruition?
***FS*** Actually.. that book is written and waiting on a publisher.
Frank,
I own a handful of domain names, and I was wondering if you thought it was dangerous to not have them registered with a separate corporation or LLC…due to all of the trademark issues we see today…It seems like a big hassle but I don’t want my personal finances at risk…
Please let me know what you think about this,
Thank you–!
***FS*** I would definitely incorporate if you are planning on making a business of this.. Tax advantages bigger than IP risk.
Hi Frank –
Sorry that I missed you last month at TRAFFIC. Love your blog!
Years from now, people may never remember that you were so successful in this business. But those in the business will always remember that you gave back some of the knowledge and experience. It truly is helpful and much appreciated!
Do you ever trade any domains? I think that I have one that you may want, and you have one that I like. Can we play?
Thanks, Bob
Attackers abusing trusted domain names
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci1282215,00.html
Dan
Hi Frank,
In the late 90s when you acquired your first domain names, did you know what layed ahead ? Did you think you would be where you are today ? also, you may have been asked this question before but what turned you onto domain names as investment vehicles ?
**FS*** I didn’t really start domaining till the 2000′s …in earnest (big time) in mid 2002 .. Everything that has happened “in the industry” I’ve imagined.. except for my own success.. it honestly blows my mind .. I can’t believe how incredibly successful I personally have become as a result of this business. I’m always scared that the dream will end and I’ll wake up at my mailbox opening past-due credit card bills.
Hey Frank,
Just got off the phone with sendori.com and they said they’re traffic tends to be “older” (demographic).
This led me to think that, as this current generation of tech-savvy individuals gets older, they won’t use direction navigation as often because they understand it leads them to a page full of ads.
While I understand that “parked pages” may soon looked like fully fuctioning web sites, there’s still that realization that the tech-savvy generation would cause a noticable DROP in overall direct navigation.
Thoughts? Something for us to worry about?
***FS*** As the pages get better it won’t matter.. type in traffic will always be there.. history repeats. I type names in.. and I should “know better” if you use your concern metric.
DCMike77…
Going to ‘a page with a bunch of ads’…why is that a problem?
I bet if you punch in one of franks domains…you will find what your looking for within two clicks…
Problem…I see no problem.
Just because a domain resolves to a ‘parking page…does not mean the visitor is going to have a bad experience…Every Google result page has become nothing more than a ‘parking page’ for ads.
Peace!
Dan
Hi Frank,
Really appreciate your response on .ca domains. I love the person you are and think you are really talented and have a vision that most do not think of. It is remarkable. As to the .ca’s, i also think they are amazing investments. I actually noticed that Christina Schilling has many domains. When i saw that..IT CLICKED! She must be related to you!!
Anyway, i really respect your work and hope you continue your success in the future!
Sam
***FS*** Thanks Sam!
Hi Frank:
Here is your stupid question of the day….if you have registered a domain, generic or not, and someone comes along and trademarks it years after, can cause you any trouble?
I know your not a lawyer and won’t hold you to any answer.
In any event….rock on!
***FS*** Thanks for your disclaimer.. you’re right.. I’m not a lawyer.. But if your name could be constued to have dual meaning in another context and you predate the complaining party, you are in a good position to win. Things get murky where the name is made up and any reasonable person can see that the name couldn’t possily be legitimately used by another party, or in the case where the covetous party has made their mark world famous. But I have found that 99 times out of 100, when somebody challenges you and you predate a trademark, the name has strong generic meaning to another reasonable party.. That’s why you registered it in the first place after all.. It has meaning to you, and now they want it because it has meaning to them. Every situation is unique and you should speak to a lawyer.. this is not legal advice. Hope this helps.
.mobi is worthless / dead
Think you missed that one today Frank :
Preserving One Web
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19722/?a=f
Very interesting !
Dotcom is king.
Best,
Seb
Frank,
Nice to see you as keynote speaker on Rick’s TRAFFIC. Attendees forgot to ask you many questions where you were the expert that we could know .
I tried almost all parking sites Rick mentioned, but never got a solution for best PPC. Kindly tell me which one you recommend best and after parking what I have to do for sustaining growth of PPC income.
Recently I started to develop over 100 names I got from drops/snapnames with some backlinks . I started to use adwords and adsense . But still no good income is seen. Appreciate if you provide some insights as above in you too busy schedules. Thanks a lot Frank.
Best regards,
***FS*** Well doc, you have to pick the right names.. here is a great post with a video where you can test for search-term style domains.. I’d avoid conceptual names and focus on buying domains that mirror the subject matter people are talking about and looking for: http://www.sevenmile.com/2007-11/neat-keyword-domain-name-cultivation-tricks/
Hi Frank,
Your blog rocks. Thanks for sharing your great insight into the wild and wonderful world of domain names with us.
I am a frequent reader.
I wonder if you have time to visit my domain name news blog: http://www.dnxpert.com. and give me your honest opinion.
I have taken the liberty to add you to my blogroll with the hope that you will reciprocate.
Kind regards
John
***FS*** You should fix you DNS on this name.. it resolves to a parking page (yours or your registrars) when the name is typed in without www. at the front. Thanks sincerely for your compliment.
The subject of the ‘dash’ in domains has come up in your blog recently, with L-L-L domains being all regged and .de domains. I have been regging some domains with dashes lately in .ca, and a few words, like P-A-Y for example, and notice that many names like this are taken in .com, .net, .org, etc. I was wondering who the .com holders were, and checked a few names, and saw that L-O-V-E.com is registered by Name Administration. I think names like this have some future potential, popular words of 4 letters or less, or L-L and L-L-L type acronyms. What made you reg L-O-V-E and what other thoughts do you have on dash domains? Thanks!
Hey Frank,
Is there anything I should know about in regards to registering a .coop name for our community group. It seems rather expensive at 120 bucks a year. what’s the hitch here…if any?
thanks
***FS*** I’d avoid them.. not crazy about .co-op
Hi FS,
Really?
I tried http://dnxpert.com and it resolved to my blog.
***FS*** strange.. I tested it twice.. I’ll screenshot it if it returns
<<>>
Hi Frank,
I had this same problem with afternic.com. It directs me to some parked page , when typing afternic.com with www and without it. Seems like you have the same problem. Here is the thread.
http://www.discussnames.com/showthread.php?t=20068
Please let me know what you did to resolve.
Thanks
Charley
Not ‘directly’ domain related (sort of a pun in that saying on your blog hehe) but what kind of cars do you own? Do any of them contain keywords like ferrari? *smirk*
Hi Frank,
Just a heads up – I can’t get your “Search Frank’s Blog” feature to work. I think you need to change the option from “www.sevenmile.com” to “frankschilling.typepad.com”.
Regards,
Ed
***FS*** Thanks Ed.. will get on this
Seven For Tuesday:
1.P&G, NBC U Launch Petside.com
http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2007/11/19/pg-nbc-u-launch-petsidecom/
2.Google Admits to Using Private Facebook Data for AdWords
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/11/20/google-admits-to-using-facebook-data-for-adwords/?camp=newsletter&src=mv&type=textlink
63.64% US-Based Searches Occurred on Google in Oct, Up 6 PercentYOY
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/11/20/googles-share-of-oct-us-searches-64-percent-up-6-percent-yoy/?camp=newsletter&src=mv&type=textlink
4.Senators Push for ‘Serious Scrutiny’ of GoogleClick Deal by FTC
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/11/20/senators-push-for-serious-scrutiny-of-googleclick-deal-by-ftc/?camp=newsletter&src=mv&type=textlink
5.Cyber Monday to Fall on Dec. 10; Web Activity Increases Dec. 11
http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2007/11/19/cyber-monday-to-fall-on-dec-10-web-activity-increases-dec-11/
6.AT&T to Absorb Pay-Per-Call Firm Ingenio
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/11/20/att-to-absorb-pay-per-call-firm-ingenio/?camp=newsletter&src=mv&type=textlink
7.An Insider’s Perspective on the Multi-Billion Dollar Domain Name Industry
http://www.sweetmantra.com/2007/11/an-insiders-per.html
Best,
Dan
Correct # 747
Listed at Namejet…but I guess the ones that need to backorder this domain is ‘snapnames’. My bad.
Peace!
Dan
Google Goes after the Everyday Blogger
http://community.izea.com/blog/2007/11/google-goes-aft.html
Dan
Frank,
Here’s an interesting post from CNET News (considering its relevancy among bloggers in the domain world).
Bloggers Beware: You’re liable to commit libel:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9821584-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5