How to judge the value of a domain name?

I know that price is determined by demand to a certain extent, but how do you actually put a price on a website domain name. How does traffic, search engine listing and popularity come into it all?

 

Well, if you already have a high PR domain, then you can assume that the domain is worth something. If it hasnt even been indexed then you can probably assume unless it is some uber short dictionary word, or currently high interest wording domain, its not worth any much more then its registration value.

Topical domains/Dictionary/Short/Pronounceable

Versus

Pagerank / Incoming Links / Good Keywords

all increase

 

Im working on a very comprehensive appraisal guide, here are a few things to look at when appraising a domain:

1.length
2.extension
3.brandability
4.commercialability
5.google results
6.yahoo results
7.msn results
8.overture
9.wordtracker
10.pagerank
11.traffic
12.backlinks in google
13.backlinks in yahoo
14.backlinks in msn
15.Availability of other extensions
16.age
17.any numbers
18.odd characters (such as -)
19.dictionary word (s)
20.DMOZ listed
21.Yahoo! Directory listed
22.Trademark violation

 

You can check out the sticky under appraisals for more info.

Drig - nice list!

 

Thanks, I plan on writing 2-3 paragraphs for each section and then posting it here soon.

 

Very nice list. Thanks!

 

Hi Drig,

Just come accross your list of domain name valuation criteria.

When are you going to update it with detail as promised?

< Ignore my dumb question, I was looking at the date you registered... not the date you posted... I really don't expect you to do it the same day (althought it would be nice !)>

Look forward to it.

BTW do you value DN's ?

 

I will get it done here when I have a few days off over Thanksgiving. And yes, I am an active appraiser in the "appraisal" section here at digitalpoint.

 

covered all points great post.

 

"I know that price is determined by demand to a certain extent, but how do you actually put a price on a website domain name. How does traffic, search engine listing and popularity come into it all?"

There are many factors. Is the domain name a brand which is easily remembered by people, or is it a long and unmemorable domain name?

Secondly, is it a keyword or a real word or a made up one? For instance, alalalalalaalabalalaal.com )) selling cars or carsales.com selling cars, and what is its use to prospective buyers.

There are other excellent points mentioned by seo-mumbai to consider also.