SEO Soul

Here I’ll describe one simple method to find recently expired domains relative to some topic with UNIX tools (grep, less and LFTP) and an expired domains list.

LFTP is sophisticated ftp/http client, file transfer program supporting a number of network protocols. It will allow us to download the .html listings found at RefundDomains. In this case I’ll download only the com listings:

user@machine:~$ lftp http://www.refunddomains.com/new

cd ok, dir actual=/new
lftp www.refunddomains.com:/new> mget com*

Now we have lots of html files with expired domains. If there are too much files maybe we need to group them in separate directories.

Next step is to search for specific terms, using the powerful tool grep and paginating with less:

user@machine:~$ grep games * | less

Happy searching!

A really good website starts from a really good domain name that should be catchy, descriptive, natural and rich in sense. This article describes some creative ways to find great domain names.

- Feed the creative thinking. Some of my most valuable sources of inspiration are the psychedelia and meditation techniques. In such altered states of consciousness ideas flow more easily and creative thinking makes more sense. Entheogens have been by humans since centuries (Furst, 1972, 1976; Harner, 1973; Stafford, 1992; Wasson, 1957, 1968). Nootropics such as Ginkgo Biloba are also very useful. Good music (vynil) is also an important source of inspiration for me. Developing several creative skills such as playing guitar, keyboard and drawing also works making some kind of synergy.

- Use expired domains search tools. Usually, the most valuable domain names are taken. The trick is that everyday thousands of domain names expire. My favorite tool to search recent expired domain names is RefundDomains, where you can find a free list of expired domains updated every 3-4 days. In another post I describe an automated way to search for expired domains containing keywords.

- Think about verbal expressions containing keywords about the subject. They are easier to remember because many people have heard them at some point in their lives. For example, the spanish expression “Busco grupo” can turn into a new idea to develop: BuscoGrupo.com, a website where musicians meet and form bands.

- Search for niches that does not have any specific website about them. Some targeted traffic is far better that much non-targeted traffic, because advertisers prefer wasting their money in visitors with a certain profile. You are interested in making the advertisers earn money with your website. The money you earn should be a secondary effect of the success of a website, not your primary focus.

- Research synonyms with tools such as Synonym. Common 1-word domains are usually taken, but some times you can get a synonym domain name free to register. Try combinations with synonyms and get a good alternative. For example, if domain SYBARIS.COM is taken, go to Wikipedia and read about Sybaris, maybe you can find a catchy name related to Sybaris and get an idea for a website.

- Think twice before registering a domain. Some times I precipitate registering a domain and later I regret of it, thinking that I could have saved the money and register a really good one. Avoid registering domains after drinking alcohol.

- Use the work made by others for your own profit. Using tools such as a word combinator tool, a domain search engine, read inspirational blog entries and success histories can give you some good ideas. Developing your capacity to observe is the key. Read to the gurus subscribing via RSS to interesting feeds. Don’t waste your time. Read about creativity.