How to Tell If a Domain Name Is Valuable

Finding the right domain name for your website is a crucial aspect of beginning a successful online endeavor, regardless of the industry or niche you choose to pursue. The domain name is effectively your online brand, and is the name that your site visitors will remember when discussing your website with friends. Although the majority of excellent domain names have been registered already, there are still many available, and with the right techniques it is possible to find valuable domain names relatively easily. Unfortunately, the majority of novice webmasters choose domain names for all the wrong reasons. The following paragraphs describe the process of determining whether a domain name is actually valuable.
Keywords and SEO Attributes
The best way to find a domain name that carries intrinsic value is to look for names that contain popularly searched for keywords. These domains have the potential to generate web traffic instantly, with minimal effort required on behalf of the webmaster. Domain names that contain keywords are usually referred to as “exact match domains”, and are by far the most desirable. Exact match domains give webmasters the ability to instantly capitalize on organic search engine traffic, without having to perform all of the usual SEO tasks. Some domains that have recently expired also retain SEO attributes like backlinks and PageRank. Purchasing recently expired domains is also a good way to find valuable domains, as these domains were probably registered by webmasters for a specific reason.
Commerciality and Profitability

Another aspect to consider is the commerciality of the domain name. While finding exact match domains is a good first step, it wouldn’t make much sense if the keyword is not a “buying” keyword. In other words, some keywords are likely to be typed into a search engine when an individual is looking to purchase an item, while other keywords are more likely to be used when an individual is simply looking for free information. For example, the domain name “howtorideabike.com”would not be nearly as profitable as “qualitysportsbikes.com”, since the latter is quite obviously a keyword that an individual would use when they were looking to purchase a sports bike, and would therefore be capable of generating more advertising and sales revenue.

Memorability and Relevance

A domain name should also be memorable and relevant to the niche, as this will boost the return rates of site visitors. An alternative method to using exact match domains is to register a domain name that broadly covers the entire niche, so that the site can be populated with content that contains various keywords relative to that industry. This ultimately allows the webmaster to focus on a broader range of keywords and solicit more web traffic in the long-term. However, this method of domain registration usually requires more work on behalf of the webmaster, as they will have to put forth effort to establish the site as an authority site before it will rank effectively for a multitude of keywords.

Three Ways to Efficiently Market a Web Hosting Business

Reselling web hosting services can be a difficult task, especially for an inexperienced webmaster that has never successfully built a hosting business. However, by creating appealing and unique hosting plans with reasonable profit margins, promoting to targeted audiences, and proactively marketing your services through a variety of avenues, it is possible to establish a significant client base rather quickly. Unfortunately, most resellers are only able to generate a small amount of income each month, as they are unable to find a large amount of clients that are willing to trust their hosting services. If you’ve been experiencing similar problems, then you may want to consider the following three ways to efficiently market a web hosting business.
Creating a Blog with Quality Content

It is well known fact that the best way to generate consistent web traffic on a residual basis is to utilize the immense power of the search engines. To do this you’ll need to populate your web hosting site with quality content related to various hosting topics. By building a blog within your hosting site you’ll not only attract search engine traffic based on keywords embedded within your blogs articles, you’ll also provide useful information to your visitors and thereby establish trust and professionalism more effectively. In fact, if your blog posts are informative enough other webmasters and web surfers will link to your site on their blogs, and will link their friends to your pages when they are in need of information. To maximize your traffic generating efforts it is important to ensure proper keyword density and usage within each blog post.
Newsletters and Press Releases

Another way to proactively market your hosting services and expand your web presence is to publish high-quality press releases on popular websites. A press release is simply a news story that professionally describes the products and services offered by your hosting company. This ultimately improve search engine optimization efforts and generates a significant amount of traffic originating from the sites that the press releases are posted on. After soliciting a client base and collecting a large number of e-mail addresses it would be beneficial to market additional services to your pre-existing and former clients, as you can be sure that this is a targeted audience that will bring high conversion rates.

Diversifying Your Business through Several Websites

In the online world, each website that you own represents a new business opportunity – the ability to penetrate a new niche and begin creating a new revenue stream. With each revenue stream you can significantly increase your monthly and yearly income gradually. Unfortunately, if you operate your entire online business through a single website, you’ll be unable to adequately target multiple markets and optimize your site for keywords that are commonly searched for in search engines. As you continuously explore new niches and business opportunities online, you’ll undoubtedly be registering multiple domains. In fact, the average webmaster registers about 10 domains per year.
Recognizing the Importance of Multiple Domain Hosting
Although the majority of hosting providers offer plans that allow for the hosting of an unlimited amount of domains, it is still important to ensure that your hosting plan includes multiple domain capabilities. It is, however, important to note that although a plan may allow you to host an unlimited amount domains, this does not mean that you have access to an adequate amount of server resources to host more than several hundred domains simultaneously. Each website that you associate with your web hosting account consumes server resources, and therefore places an additional burden on your hosting Web server.
Security and Business Presence

By owning a network of sites you can efficiently build links to your main sites in each niche, and also have smaller websites within the same niche that are designed to funnel traffic to your heavily monetized sites. This can improve conversion rates by allowing you to introduce presell articles and concepts to your site visitors and it can also diversifying your search engine optimization efforts. You will also be able to create more leverage within each industry/niche because you’ll have a significant online presence, which ultimately results in thousands of unique visitors within your control on a daily basis. When new products or services are released in each industry you can take advantage of their popularity instantly using one of your many sites within your network.
If you are planning on selling products or services or accepting payments on your website then you need an SSL certificate. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your web hosting plan includes capability to host a wildcard SSL certificate (at SSL certificate can be used on my website), or you’ll have to purchase multiple web hosting plans in order to gain access to multiple SSL certificates

online courses Financing the business

Session 4: Financing the business

Money makes your business go. But don't try going to a bank to get it when you've just started in business. Banks normally make loans only to businesses with operating histories. This section will give you some alternatives, some strategies and some things to think about as you go about finding the money to make your business work.

As pointed out in the first session on picking a business, don't be discouraged by not having much money to start with. Many businesses can be started with no money at all. You can start small and humbly and grow one order at a time. Here is a sample, partial list of businesses you can start with very little cash: Businesses Requiring Little or No Money to Start.

Our first reminder is that personal savings should be considered the primary source of funds for starting a business. If you haven't started already, start now to begin accumulating cash through personal savings.

Also, don't overlook the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee programs available for start-up businesses. With a SBA guarantee program in hand, your bank will be happy to talk with you! Refer to the Resources section to get more information.


Finally, start your search for financing with a good credit rating. Most all sources of financing or credit have come to rely on a four-letter word to score your credit worthiness: FICO. FICO is a numeric method, using just three digits, to predict the likelihood of your paying your credit as agreed. FICO scores range from 365 (not good) to a high of 850 (great). The score evaluates your credit payment history, number of open accounts, overall credit balances and public records such as judgments and liens.


Generally, a FICO score above 680 will produce a positive response while a score below this will cause a lender to be cautious. A good way to obtain your own score is to enter "FICO" into a search engine. Several sources will charge a modest fee to calculate your score.   will provide you with several report formats and notify you of credit inquiries that could affect your score. Before seeking financing or credit, it is a good idea to know where your FICO score stands.



Or, how much can you reasonably expect to get? Refer back to your business plan. If it still doesn't answer the question, let's go step-by-step. In Session 11, Accounting and Cash Flow, you will learn how to predict future cash needs by using a cash flow control form.
The cash flow control form will spell out all of your sources of income and expenses. For example, some expense items might include:

Buying supplies and inventory while waiting to get paid
Paying payroll and rent
Buying equipment and fixtures
Getting a computer
Buying the business
Prioritize those areas where your options are limited to paying in cash, and review your alternatives where there may be another way. For example, it is not necessary to pay all cash for a delivery truck when you can rent or lease one. Next, review what might serve as collateral for your loans.

Unsecured Loans
Some credit is granted on an unsecured basis, such as credit cards, but most small business loans are secured by the assets of your business, your personal assets, or both. Unsecured means that there is no collateral granted for the loan. Examples of unsecured are

Credit cards
Unsecured lines of credit (like you get in the mail)
Friends or relatives
Secured Loans
                Rod Banks
Executive Vice President, City National Bank

Raising start-up money is one of the great hurdles in starting a business. Would you have any recommendations or some basic Do's and Don'ts as to how people should go about this great challenge?
Secured loans mean that there are assets pledged to secure the payment in the event you are not able to pay. Examples of this are
Computer lease
Home mortgage
Car loan or lease
Small Business Administration loan
Collateral
Common types of collateral are equity in your home, accounts receivable, inventory of the business and equipment. Lenders go through an evaluation of the collateral to determine how much they can lend. Some key variables as to what kind of loan terms you can get are

Number of years in business - This is your track record and is very important. Banks usually require three years while others are less stringent.
Size of your company and the amount needed - Financing institutions vary in the way they service the public. For example, you would probably not get a car loan and a large corporate loan at the same place. Do your research. Ask around. Get to the



Other Quick Tips

Needless to say, being well dressed and neat in appearance at bank meetings will reflect positively.
Most lenders (including the SBA) will want to see your business plan.
Keep your lenders informed on the status of your business: the good and the bad.
If you are unable to make a loan payment on time, call your lender in advance, advise him or her of the problem and request the extension you need. Explain the sources of repayment.
Virtually all lenders will do a personal savings and corporate credit check through a company called TRW or by other means. Be prepared to discuss any prior credit issues/problems. The best access to a lender is through a referral. Lending is a people business. Have your CPA, attorney, or friend introduce you to a lender.
The first thing that will spook lenders or investors is the fear you are "puff" rather than "substance." Avoid giving the impression of being an over optimistic, "pie-in-the-sky" operator.
As a start-up, do not plan to spend money on expensive entertaining. Your lenders will be more interested in knowing how their money is being used to grow your business.
Do not depend on a bank to loan you money to start a business. Most small businesses are funded by personal savings.
Make a shrewd appraisal to minimize your risks and to limit losses to a predetermined limit.
Your suppliers and vendors can be sources of financing. For example, if you need an illuminated sign for your store front, the company you contract with to make the sign may provide financing so you can make monthly payments rather than pay cash. Examples of financing from your suppliers include
Longer payment terms
Advertising and marketing assistance
Furnishing or financing of equipment, signs or inventory.
Advertising and promotional programs
Bartering, which is to trade by exchange one commodity for another, can provide a source of financing. For example, your advertisements in the local newspaper might be paid for by the bagels you make