DNCart – Domain Network

Domain parking and web development has come a long way over the years. From generic messages to full blown automated websites. This is the chronicle of the evolution of domain parking.  Domainers are shying from traditional pay-per-click landing pages and opting for professional development and innovative software.  See how far domain parking has come and get some insight on what’s next.

Generic Under Construction Page

Coming Soon! This Site Under Construction

Domain name and website owners generally had a message like this displayed to let random visitors know they should bookmark and come back soon. This is still used for some projects today, but rarely for any length of time.  You may also see a newsletter subscription.

“This Domain is For Sale” Landing Page

This Domain Is For Sale

We’ve all seen them, a simple text message and email link letting you know this domain name is for sale. The original domainers first form of domain sales advertising.  This may still be effective today, but less so because most domainers go straight for WHOIS data and then maybe directly to a site.

This Domain Has Been Reserved

Domain registrars caught on to all the massively untapped traffic resource of their customers unused domains. Now you see them quite often, “This Domain Parked Free at GoDaddy.” Some may consider profiting from your customers domains to be a devious practice, but the owner simply needs to take control and direct the nameservers.

Example Pay-Per-Click Page (Parked)

Pay Per Click Sponsored Links

With the launch of Google AdSense and other advertising networks, domain owners became “publishers” by displaying relevant paid sponsors on their unused domain names. There has been some controversy concerning the value of these advertising spots on domain names, and recent reports that revenue from PPC domain parking is declining greatly.

Custom Mini-site by AEIOU

Custom Content Mini-Sites

Many new website services allow you to add unique content to your “parked” pages. This is intended to provide SEO value and the ultimate goal is to get your parked domains listed on search engines which was previously unheard of.  Others buy articles or hire freelance writers to dish out unique content.

Full Featured RSS Powered Content

RSS Feeds Automated Content

With the advent of RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication), content from all over the web can be embedded and updated automatically on any website. Using simple scripts and software domain owners are able to display relevant news and articles which could lead to more traffic.

The Future is Bright…

The future of domain parking is blurring the line between a simple landing page and a full blown website. It will not be long before a domain owner can instantly create fully developed websites with automated content, user interaction, automated product affiliates, photo galleries, videos, article archives and more.

In some cases this is already happening. Soon on DotSauce you will read about a company whose product allows you to do just that. Stay tuned to be a part of the next step in the evolution of domain parking.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

The Evolution of Domain Parking and Mini Sites

Just announced on the official Google Webmaster Central blog, a best practices guide for Search Engine Optimization has been published for those new to SEO or not familiar with all of the best ways to improve your listings on Google search.

I quickly read the 22 page PDF guide and can confirm it does have some great tips and guidelines for improving your websites by optimizing all the things GoogleBot looks at when crawling you site. The guide features lots of illustrations, tips and tutorials, things to avoid, even some information on using social networks.

If you’ve been doing SEO for awhile now you may be aware of all the suggestions Google provides in their SEO guide.  I personally found it refreshing to read the guide over and see that I am doing things right! So, check it out and see what the Google SEO guide can help you with.

Get it: Google’s Search Engine Optimization Guide (PDF)

Google has also mentioned they plan to keep the guide updated as often as possible to keep suggestions and tech advice current.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

Straight From Google: Best Practices SEO Guide

This will be the first in a serious of posts devoted to highlighting new and interesting ways people are using WordPress.  I already have at least 3 amazing uses of WordPress lined up that you probably have never seen before and are sure to spark your interest.  So stay tuned, subscribe to our feed and be on the look out for more innovative uses of WordPress.

Innovative Use of WordPress: JustTweetIt.com

WordPress as a link directory! Who would have thought?

The JustTweetIt.com Twitter Directory went above and beyond simply turning WordPress into a link directory. The site features a beautiful design and alot of great content in traditional blog posts. So, you can’t do this over-night, but I’ll give you a quick explanation of just how they did it.

By the way, DotSauce is on Twitter!

How Did They Do That?

The concept is quite simple… turn your comments system into link submission! With a few tweaks and word-swaps (change any mention of “comment” to “submit link”) within the template files, specifically the comment system, comment display, single post and single page, you can have a fully functional link directory.

Once those modifications are done, any page can be created to represent a “Category.” Enable comments on your “Category” page and the link submissions can start coming in!

What’s Your Script Got that WordPress Doesn’t?

If you think about it… WordPress already has most of the features you want for any link directory; moderation, Akismet spam filter, and even membership logins, but I’ll save more on that for the next installment.

Yet Another WordPress Link Directory

The concept is starting to spread, another example of WordPress as a link directory just launched this past month and living up to it’s name.  DirectoryForDesigners.com is a social media directory for, you guessed it, designers of all types.

What do you think about using WordPress as a link directory? Know of any other innovative uses of WordPress? We’d love to hear your thoughts… please leave a comment below.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

Innovative Use of WordPress: The WordPress Link Directory

I’ve registered hundreds of domain names over the past few years.  Each time, before clicking “Complete Purchase,” I made a point to think about every individual name, how it would be developed into a website with a specific purpose, how it could be profitable, how it would benefit an existing company or launch a start-up.

Unfortunately, you can not put your heart, time and money into developing hundreds of internet properties.  Many of my domains lay in wait for their day to shine as a fully developed site, though I can’t promise them it will be by my hand… I am a domainer afterall!

I would like to share with you some of my domain names and what I envision the will become.

SwiftPic.com – Free Application for the Masses

This was to be an AJAX powered form that would generate, on-the-fly, customized code for using swfIR on your websites.  What is swfIR? It’s an awesome open-source script for replacing standard image code with dynamic flash displays that allow for curved corners, borders, even drop shadows.  You can see it in action on BlogDuJour.com. I am still looking for a programmer to work with on creating the SwiftPic application.

ElectricWebsites.com – A Community of Developers in a Virtual Metaverse

Ever heard of Second Life? It’s a huge virtual world that has been covered in the news countless times. It is being prized as a valuable educational tool (virtual classrooms) and literally millions of people across the globe. A few years back, I got involved with Second Life and was interested in developing a business, I even promoted DotSauce through the virtual world and made some great contacts. I don’t have much time these days to login to Second Life, but the ElectricWebsites.com virtual headquarters is still live inside Second Life, let me know if you want a tour.

InstantVerse.com – AJAX Powered Bible!

I purchased this domain name after coming up with an idea for a web based Bible application that would allow a person to start typing any book, chapter or verse of the Bible and have it instantly pop up! I have yet to actively pursue finding someone to code this for me, but there are numerous full versions of the Bible available for download in many formats.

FrugalBlogging.com – Launch a Successful Blog for Little to No Money

The idea for this one was to be a blog about blogging. Specifically, how to blog on-the-cheap. More specifically, tried and tested methods for marketing, advertising and promoting your blog for free. Getting high-quality graphics, content, designs, hosting and software that bloggers know and love for free or cheap. I love helping out fellow bloggers and have been known to give away domain names to those still using sub-domains. I would like to start this project, but I just don’t have time to write fresh content.

I could go on seemingly forever… but I would love to hear about some of your domains that you haven’t developed yet.  Please leave a comment below.  Maybe someone will be interested and want to work on it with you!

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

Domain Names You Never Got Around To Developing

I would like to introduce you to 20 great tools for researching domain names. These tools will help you gain insight into your own domain names and how you can better use, develop, sell or buy new domain names. Enjoy and please feel free to contribute to the list by adding a comment.

Domain Sales History

• DNJournal Domain Sales Archive – Most comprehensive and complete history of notable domain sales above $10,000 since 2004.
• NameBio – Searchable and sortable database of domain sales
• SoldNames.com – Premium sales history above six-figures

Free Domain Appraisals

• NamePros Appraisal Forum – Domainers willing to appraise
• Estibot – Automated appraisal tool
• DomainValuation – Free appraisal service
• DomainTops – Automated appraisal and keyword tool
• DomainScore – Compare “scores” between other similar domains

Domain Stats

• LinkScape by SEOmoz – Powerful new domain tool for SEO
• DNFame.com -Great information on social, search and reach data
• Archive.org WayBack Machine – History of any website built

Expired Domains

• FreshDrop.net – Powerful tools for searching and filtering domains
• NameJet.com – Marketplace for backordering expiring domains
• SnapNames.com – Marketplace for backordering expiring domains
• Pool.com – Marketplace for backordering expiring domains

Short Domains

• NameFunk – Extensive random character generator
• ReadableDomains – 5 Letter Vowel Swap
• DomainNameSoup – Random 5 Letter Generator
• 5Letter.com – 5 Letter Research
• MakeWords – Random “Word” Generator

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

20 Free Tools for Researching Domain Names

TRAFFIC Down Under will hold a charity auction of ten premium domain names with the revenue to be donated to the Internet Commerce Association (ICA), a non-profit advocate for the domain name industry.

The auction will benefit the ICA, a grass roots organization formed to ensure domain services and owners are robustly represented in areas of great risk and importance to the global domain community.

If you prefer, you can donate directly to the ICA, more info here.

The ICA utilizes dues and contributions to enable activities related to legislative lobbying, regulatory representation, industry public relations, legal test case support, industry publication of statistics and reports, revenue research, and market intelligence. In order for the association to continue and expand its activities, it requires the support and participation from current members and the entire professional domain name community.

We are happy to announce that the top ten domains to be auctioned off are:

• LanzaroteCanaryIslands.com – Kevin J. Sinclair
• CityChicks.com – Anonymous
• FreeRangeFoods.com – Howard Hoffman
• AudioCabinets.net – Rick Latona
• CarbBlockers.com – Fabulous.com
• FranchiseCompany.com – Fabulous.com
• BiometricReader.com – Fabulous.com
• MovingCosts.com – Fabulous.com
• DisplayUnit.com – Fabulous.com
• BodybuildingProducts.com – Fabulous.com

These domains are to be auctioned without reserves at the conference Gala Dinner on the 19th November. Rick Latona Auctions has also committed to donate their expertise and time to manage the charity auction.

This article is from DotSauce Magazine – The Domain Industry’s HOTTEST Publication!

Sponsored By midFlux.com! Providing affordable and accurate domain appraisals. We also provide domain articles and valuable information to help you with your domain needs.!

TRAFFIC Down Under Charity Domain Auction