keyword domain research

[woopwoop]

I'm just starting to re-look at the value of keyword domains for minisite, affiliate, PPC, traffic, SE purposes.

When looking at keywords what should I be doing? What tools are out there other than the ones below:

1. Search Google co-uk/com, with and without quotes
2. Go to Google's keyword tool: check avg searches (exact and phrase), check avg CPC/BID (not sure how to value this)
[does specifying UK in Google's keyword tool, give you UK searches only? Why do I sometimes get higher 'exact' figures than 'broad']
3. Search the domain in google and see if there are many ads running along the search

Take these 2 domains

stockmarketindex.co.uk
occiput.co.uk


Stock market index
G Keyword tool (UK) exact = 210 broad = 1600
G (UK) search with quotes = 15,800 without quotes = 291,000
G (UK) ads surrounding search results > 8 in right column
G avg CPC = £2.13
Domain length = 3 words (prefer 1 or 2 of course)
Common or familiar word/phrase score = 5-6/10 imo (because there are a lot more familiar phrases in sector)

Occiput
G Keyword tool (UK) exact = 4,400 broad = 1600
G (UK) search with quotes = 27,000 without quotes = 27,000
G (UK) ads surrounding search results = 0
G avg CPC = £0.51
Domain length = 1 word
Common or familiar word/phrase score = 0/10 (unheard of by most)

So what would you do with these names?
Would you buy them?
What are the most important factors to you in deciding with keyword domains?
How important is CPC, G (UK) tool searches etc.?
What's the best way to monetize?
If the CPCs are accurate, is there a rough formula like "a click on stockmar....co.uk will earn approx. 50% of £2.13" ?

How can occiput have a CPC of £0.51 when no ads are showing on a Google search page when I search for this keyword?
How can occiput have over 4000 exact searches and 1600 broad searches? Are they mutually exclusive?

Interesting stuff -share your own examples where the stats are weird or your ideas on what to look for with good keywords

 

[woopwoop]

Anyone? (mods I'm not sure if this is the best place for this post - if you there's a better place please move it, thx.)

 

[foz]

So what would you do with these names?

Not register them.

Would you buy them?

No.

What are the most important factors to you in deciding with keyword domains?

If other gTLD's and ccTLD's have been developed and/or if they will get type-in traffic.

How important is CPC, G (UK) tool searches etc.?

CPC indicates advertising competition along the the value of that online industry, in theory the higher the CPC for keywords related to your domain/industry the more that domain will be worth.

Above does not include break out brand-able domains such as smile.co.uk (I view these as more speculative buys).

What's the best way to monetize

With type-in traffic, PPC.

 

[woopwoop]

Thanks for your reply foz.

A few months ago, I would have answered exactly the same as you did - but not am not so sure. Though I agree with some of what you said.

I think that certain keyword domains have enough power to really help the domain in serps and offer generous PPC.

I'm not thinking of "occiput"...but others.

If the CPCs are accurate, is there a rough formula like "a click on stockmar....co.uk will earn approx. 50% of £2.13" ?

How can occiput have a CPC of £0.51 when no ads are showing on a Google search page when I search for this keyword?
How can occiput have over 4000 exact searches and 1600 broad searches? Are they mutually exclusive?

Taking the generic value and brand value aside, I guess I'm just trying to figure out how to use G's keyword tool and understand it (especially with the wierdness in the box above)

Any more thoughts? Anyone?

 

[foz]

I think that certain keyword domains have enough power to really help the domain in serps and offer generous PPC.

More than likely for mini sites incorporating Adsense. My comments (for clarification) was angled at Domain Parking PPC.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out how to use G's keyword tool and understand it

Once mastered, it can yield results in the domain field. But I'm sure not many (including myself) are going to come out in the forums giving "pointers". :wink:

 

[nnh]

I think google search result numbers are a waste of time, they mean nothing, quoted by a few as examples of possible seach volume before OVT and now google keyword tool!

Google keyword tool is a good indication of 'possible' search volume, but its just one search engine, yes the most important, but now always accurate as you have clearly pointed out. Search for an American only term using the UK tool and the results make you feel its not accurate!!!

Same with CPC, as you point out it can show a value but have no ads running! If you are looking for a mathematical equation to value domain names on possible search volume, I dont think there is one, certainly google keyword tool isnt it!

It is what it is, a handy tool, yes prob the best for giving an 'estimate' of 'possible' search volume from THAT search engine, if your web site was listed in the FIRST THREE results for a given term. But thats all it is!!

If you are using it for ideas of potential names to register then it could help, as a possible sales pitch for those names its prob poor but the best at the mo!

If you are looking for names for sale then you prob need to be looking for a higher search volume than say 5000 exact. But even that doesnt really mean anything, if a domain name purchaser wants a name just to make three high cost sales per year they still want that name! If you intend to develop that name yourself for possible affiliate marketing, adsense etc...then it really doesnt matter if the search volume is 100, if your product is high value, you know your market and are good at SEO for first page placement!

It will still come down to memorability, and yes a generic will always be better...

So its just a tool, as ever, buy what you know and use the skills you have to make a pound...

 

[woopwoop]

Once mastered, it can yield results in the domain field. But I'm sure not many (including myself) are going to come out in the forums giving "pointers". :wink:

Thanks for helping Foz , appreciate the tips

nnh - thanks for replying too - it's interesting. Even on this board alone you can see that there are more people who are coming out and quoting the results of G's tool to push sales of domains (even org.uk's)

Monetizing these types of domains is more likely to be with minisites or full sites with adsense.

If anyone would like to share the G-tool indicators they go by when making a purchase, great. If you don't want to share pointers, not to worry

 

[CJB]

Search for an American only term using the UK tool and the results make you feel its not accurate!!!

I tried the following:
[search engine optimization] 18,100
[search engine optimisation] 33,100

The difference there doesn't seem inaccurate.


Do you have any examples you'd like to share.


Thanks

Conrad

 

[slowhost]

I would also like advice on this, im not sure how accurate googles tool is as i have a name that gets 18000 hits a month (exact search term) according to googles tool, my site is on the first page of google in the top 5 and only gets 20-30 hits a day. so not sure how much use the stats are unless your at the top of google, if im doing something wrong please let me know...

 

[CJB]

Do you mean 20-30 hits from that exact search term?

You might be intersted to read the article below:
SEO and Eye Tracking for Informational & Transactional Queries

It basically says that those searching for information (as oppose to products) will rarely look below the first position.

 

[rottensoundz]

SEO and Eye Tracking for Informational & Transactional Queries
Intresting article thanks for sharing it .....

 

[slowhost]

Do you mean 20-30 hits from that exact search term?

You might be intersted to read the article below:
SEO and Eye Tracking for Informational & Transactional Queries

It basically says that those searching for information (as oppose to products) will rarely look below the first position.

interesting article thanks for sharing, the hits are varied type ins what i ment was the domain i have gets 18000 type ins a month according to google for the exact words, altho i only get 20-30 hits a day and i`m in the top 5! i would of thought id get alot more hits to the site unless 99 % of the 18000 are going to the site top of google whos domain isnt a keyword used in the search...

 

[Nick S]

I have a site that is top of G for its exct search term - google keywords states that this term gets about 100 searches a day. So far in 3 days it has had no visitors - this makes me think that this tool cannot be solely relied on.

 

[slowhost]

I have a site that is top of G for its exct search term - google keywords states that this term gets about 100 searches a day. So far in 3 days it has had no visitors - this makes me think that this tool cannot be solely relied on.

Thats exactly my point, i dont think it`s accurate at all.