Newbie Questions

[sp@rky13]

Ok, so I'm new to this whole idea of domain names being profitable, I guess you could say. So, to keep all my questions to one thread, this'll be it. Here's some questions to start with

Oh and this can be my intro thread. I came across you guys through VentraIP and decided to check it all out

1. Using the Google Keywords explorer I found a domain that has 5500 monthly searches that has a .com name available. Is this what you would consider to be a lot?

2. What are some sites/blog post/forum posts/whatever that explain the basics of domain trade etc? I'm interested in it not from the standpoint of buying and selling domains, but instead for being able to find good domains and through their keywords that are SEO friendly, being able to use that to my advantage for these sites.

 

[neddy]

Oh and this can be my intro thread. I came across you guys through VentraIP and decided to check it all out

Hey sp@rky13 - great to have you here.

But please, can you just do a quick intro post in the appropriate section just so we know a little about you? That would be much appreciated.

Thereafter, there are plenty of members on here that will be able to give you the benefit of their experience and give you the answers you seek!

 

[FirstPageResults]

1. Using the Google Keywords explorer I found a domain that has 5500 monthly searches that has a .com name available. Is this what you would consider to be a lot?

Need a tad more information.. Was the 5,500 for Local or Global Monthly searches and was Match type set on Broad, Exact or Phrase?

5,500 is decent for local exact in AU.

 

[Data Glasses]

Vague questions are hard to answer , this forum has been down this road recently, at the end of the day we will all make a bad choice at some stage, but of what makes a domain worth money is how it can be used. Time Travel gets over 2000 searches a month but as yet i have never seen a good affiliate program ....... if you get my drift

 

[sp@rky13]

Thanks,

So that was on broad. I'm more just wondering what's an acceptable number of search views etc. I think you've answered my question

 

[Honan]

sp@rky13... Forget all about the Google Keyword Tool
It will only encourage you, like many others in the past, to waste money registering crap domains

 

[sp@rky13]

Ok Honan, so what would you recommend. Oh and when I register a domain, it's something I am interested in and have knowledge about so that I can write up a whole site for it. That's what this domain will be

 

[Shane]

Search stats are one of the last things that I look at. First of all find subjects that you are passionate about, or at least have some knowledge or interest in. Then ask yourself if the domain sounds good and makes sense. Once you've ticked those boxes, decent search stats are just a bonus really.

 

[sp@rky13]

That makes sense one. Thanks

 

[sp@rky13]

Ok, my next question. As I am under 18 (17) is it possible to register .com.au's as a sole trader? Also if I were to register a .au that will contain content that will earn money through ads and subscriptions. Does that qualify as business used and therefore work for AuDA regulations?

 

[neddy]

Ok, my next question. As I am under 18 (17) is it possible to register .com.au's as a sole trader? Also if I were to register a .au that will contain content that will earn money through ads and subscriptions. Does that qualify as business used and therefore work for AuDA regulations?

Good questions - and we all have to start somewhere.

Best thing you can do (after you have finished your exams!), is read a bit.

First port of call: http://www.letstalknet.com.au/ - podcasts from auDA that explain stuff in basic detail.

Then have a look here: http://www.auda.org.au - top left of page is a box with a series of links. Look at them all:

.au Domains explained

Learn about the .au domain and registration

Learn about .au Policy

Learn about Domain Name Security

Step by Step Guide to Registering a Domain name (Video)

____________________________________

Am I eligible to register the domain name

If you are a sole trader, have a state registered business name or an Australian registered company, you are eligible to register a .au domain name. You can read auDA’s policy on domain name eligibility and allocation at http://www.auda.org.au/ea-policy

In my experience, most Registrar's require at least a State Registered Business name to register a domain name. If you try and say you're a Sole Trader without a Reg Business Name, I think you will encounter difficulty.

But I stand to be corrected. Perhaps one of our Registrar members can comment?

So my advice would be to dig into your savings, or beg or borrow - and find $156 to register a NSW Business Name. Anyone who is 16 or over can register.

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Businesses/Business_names.html#Who_can_apply_for_a_business_name

Once you have your business name, you can buy as many domains as you like with that entity.

There endeth the first lesson!

 

[sp@rky13]

Once you have your business name, you can buy as many domains as you like with that entity.

I'll read those links but the thing I don't understand is that I thought you could only register domains if they relate to the business etc

 

[neddy]

I'll read those links but the thing I don't understand is that I thought you could only register domains if they relate to the business etc

If you read the links and watch the podcast and video, you will have a far better understanding of how it all works.

Don't mean to sound like a parent or a school teacher, but you need to do some research first. Won't take you long.

And if you do that, then I'm happy to give you my phone number or Skype and you can ask me other questions.

 

[sp@rky13]

I did have a read of some stuff and listened to one of the podcasts (the one on domains) but they all refer to businesses. I'll have another read around. And it's good to encourage to do their own research

 

[Honan]

Ok Honan, so what would you recommend. Oh and when I register a domain, it's something I am interested in and have knowledge about so that I can write up a whole site for it. That's what this domain will be

You don't need me to recommend anything to you
You appear to be a smart guy who will work it out for himself
I just wanted to voice my concern about relying on the Google keyword tool to choose names

 

[Honan]

Good questions - and we all have to start somewhere.

Best thing you can do (after you have finished your exams!), is read a bit.

First port of call: http://www.letstalknet.com.au/ - podcasts from auDA that explain stuff in basic detail.

Then have a look here: http://www.auda.org.au - top left of page is a box with a series of links. Look at them all:

.au Domains explained

Learn about the .au domain and registration

Learn about .au Policy

Learn about Domain Name Security

Step by Step Guide to Registering a Domain name (Video)

____________________________________



In my experience, most Registrar's require at least a State Registered Business name to register a domain name. If you try and say you're a Sole Trader without a Reg Business Name, I think you will encounter difficulty.

But I stand to be corrected. Perhaps one of our Registrar members can comment?

So my advice would be to dig into your savings, or beg or borrow - and find $156 to register a NSW Business Name. Anyone who is 16 or over can register.

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Businesses/Business_names.html#Who_can_apply_for_a_business_name

Once you have your business name, you can buy as many domains as you like with that entity.

There endeth the first lesson!

I always thought you only needed an ABN to reg .au names
A sole trader can trade in their own name

 

[sp@rky13]

I always thought you only needed an ABN to reg .au names
A sole trader can trade in their own name

This is what I'm finding. That as a sole trader you can register it that way. The issue I see is how you register it if it's not similar to your name/business name... There's obviously ways around it because you guys own vastly different domain names and likely few of them relate to your business name

 

[FirstPageResults]

This is what I'm finding. That as a sole trader you can register it that way. The issue I see is how you register it if it's not similar to your name/business name... There's obviously ways around it because you guys own vastly different domain names and likely few of them relate to your business name

This is a valid concern that many newcomers face.

SCHEDULE C

ELIGIBILITY AND ALLOCATION RULES FOR COM.AU

The com.au 2LD is for commercial purposes.

The following rules are to be read in conjunction with the Eligibility and Allocation Rules for All Open 2LDs, contained in Schedule A of this document.

1. To be eligible for a domain name in the com.au 2LD, registrants must be:
a) an Australian registered company; or
b) trading under a registered business name in any Australian State or Territory; or
c) an Australian partnership or sole trader; or
d) a foreign company licensed to trade in Australia; or
e) an owner of an Australian Registered Trade Mark; or
f) an applicant for an Australian Registered Trade Mark; or
g) an association incorporated in any Australian State or Territory; or
h) an Australian commercial statutory body.

2. Domain names in the com.au 2LD must be:
a) an exact match, abbreviation or acronym of the registrant’s name or trademark; or
b) otherwise closely and substantially connected to the registrant.

http://www.auda.org.au/policies/auda-2008-05/

The way most people see it is that 2b is open for interpretation.

 

[sp@rky13]

The way most people see it is that 2b is open for interpretation.

Yah, I've looked through the policy a few times and seen 2b but never thought about it being that open to interpretation

 

[neddy]

I always thought you only needed an ABN to reg .au names
A sole trader can trade in their own name

You are right about Sole Trader and ABN Joe.

I just assumed it might be more difficult for the young bloke to get an ABN. You need to quote Tax File Numbers etc.

Registering a Business Name takes this problem away.

But I'm only assuming he doesn't have an ABN or TFN. If he does, then he is laughing. Doesn't need to reg a Business Name.