(The Entrepreneur Ridealong) Building A Kids’ Toys Niche Site From $0 to $120,000: Domain Selection
September 14, 2023
Good day to all! I’m Alton Alexander, and today we journey further into our exploration of niche site development. In our last discussion, we delved deep into the significance of niche selection. The right niche can be the game-changer, steering your online venture towards success.
This time, our spotlight is on an equally pivotal aspect: choosing a domain name. While I’ve already ventured into content creation and keyword research for my niche site, I want to momentarily pause and offer insights into my domain selection process. This, I believe, will offer valuable insights to budding entrepreneurs.
The Art of Domain Selection
- Branding: A domain name should be more than just a web address. It should be brandable and memorable. A recognizable name instills a sense of quality in your audience.
- Length Matters: My personal criteria favor domain names less than 15 characters, not counting the TLD (like .com). And while a single-word domain would be gold, two words are entirely achievable.
- Quality Over Quantity: The eventual aim is to make a site so invaluable that, perhaps in a year, it could fetch a minimum of $100,000 on the market. But this goal requires a domain that potential buyers can see future potential in; something they can build upon.
- Keep it Simple: In my book, dashes are a no-go. Likewise, filler words like ‘of’, ‘the’, and ‘my’ are unnecessary. A .com domain reigns supreme, with very few exceptions to this rule.
- Versatility: It’s crucial not to pigeonhole oneself. While a domain should be reflective of a niche, it should also provide room to expand and diversify.
- Exceptions Exist: Interestingly, every rule has its exceptions. Consider the domain “Pinky”, which has grown beyond its initial connotation of pink mountain bikes, becoming a recognized brand in mountain biking news and reviews.
Resources at Your Fingertips
While exploring niches and domains, I often turn to tools like the one on ContentCurator.com. It offers a comprehensive look into any niche, helping one find inspiration. A glance at the STEM toys niche, for instance, reveals diverse content sites and affiliate niche websites and their domains.
When buying domains, while premium resellers like Odys are a good choice, discount sellers shouldn’t be overlooked. You find really great deals at the domain auctions but you’ll have to wait or be willing to change your niche based on what deals you can grab.
Hand-registering a domain is an option if you can find a fitting two-word domain. However, based on its potential and the niche, I’ve previously invested up to $10,000 for the right domain.
Looking Ahead
With the niche selected and the domain in hand, it’s time to forge ahead. But remember, it’s not set in stone. I’m already deep into content creation and keyword research which we will cover in the next update. Platforms like Ahrefs can offer insights into the health and performance of any site, allowing for informed decisions.
Thank you for joining me on this enlightening journey. Stay tuned for more insights on keyword research and content development. For those who wish to connect, I’m just a tweet away at @alton_lex. Until next time, I wish you success and innovation in all your endeavors.
