In the post, Top Things To Consider when Getting a Domain Name, JMMO reader Missy wanted to know the following:

1) Can a domain name be too niche?

My response: It depends on the niche – and what are the monetization expectations from the said domain. Some niche topics are definitely worth pursuing.

I’ve created mini sites and programmes for certain niche topics after investigating the topic’s potential income. And, some basic ideas literally do pay off.

Ultimately, if you’re really passionate about that niche, you’ll find a way to make it work one way or the other, even though actual benefits may not always come in the form of Adsense cheques or affiliate sales.

2) Which tool to use to check on the income potential of a domain name?

This was the question that I was stumped to begin with. But, I guess, I can just share my own process in analyzing a domain name’s monetization potential. And my process includes: checking keyword relevancy, scouting for affiliate linking, competition analysis, and advertising potential.

Depending on what kind of data I wish to have, I use different tools with every area of the process. For example, I use different keyword research tools when analyzing relevancy. I use Google a lot, when looking at competition, affiliate links, and ad potential.

Other people will most likely have different approaches.

If you have other tools that you use in your own research, I’d love to hear about them too.

3) What type of domain names are better to use when using ad programmes like Adsense? And what types of domain names can be used for affiliate marketing?

To me, the question is not about matching monetization strategies with domain names. At least, not to start with. I prefer to think of matching domain names with my vision or plans for the domain first. What do I want the site to achieve? What’s the best way to maximize the use of the domain?

Do I wish to start a blog on it? An online magazine? A directory? A mini site? A forum? A community? A service? A sales page?

Also, another thing to consider is: Where will your audience come from? Will they be primarily geared for search engine referrals, inbound links, or through subscriptions?

If you want to get a lot of search engine traffic, keyword-rich domain names will most likely work better than ‘branded’ names. If you want to develop a following or a fan base, then ‘brandable’ domain names will be great.

If your site will rely heavily on search engine traffic, contextual ad programmes like Adsense will probably do well. Affiliates can be effective too, but people tend to want to buy things from people they feel that they already know. So, having subscribers/followers/fans will be useful if you want to make money from affiliate programmes.

So, what about you? Do you have any other tips and thoughts for Missy and other folks who might be wondering about the same things?

Image based on photo by Pierre Amerlynck
From sxc.hu

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Money Chat: Monetizing Domain Names