Purchased 25 .coms for a project, did I do good?

[Viprklr]

Hello DNF'ers!

As you can guess since I am posting in this section I am new to domains. I am excited because Spring 12 I am taking a web developing class ( just as basic one) and will have to develop a few basic domains as projects.

I set aside a budget and have purchased about 25 domains at $7.79 each from GoDaddy. Ive set the up with the Godaddy cash parking ( which now seems like a joke almost, and I would like to move them to another company) until class starts, and I start working on them.

I am not expecting much out of this if anything, but I would like to learn as much as I can.

My main questions are:

NONE of my names show up in any of the search engine results. Example one of them I own is ViagraByPfyzer.com If I type Viagra By Pfyzer in the search engine, i THOUGHT that it would match the results to my .com I suppose I am missing something/not understanding how this all works.

Any info would be great. I am also looking into a better company to cash park with. My domains have earned $6 in the 14 days they were parked.

Thanks so much for those ( if any) who take the time to read this!

[rngrdanny22]

Welcome to the world of domaining.

You're going to learn alot as you get more experience, and I'm about to teach you the first (and probably most important) lesson.

STAY AWAY FROM TRADEMARK NAMES.

Your domain that you listed as your example could cause a whole host of legal action handed down. Pfizer (as it is correctly spelled) could bring legal action for using both their company name and product.

Please tell me all your names are not like this...

[Viprklr]

Thanks for the fast response!

I actually own the correctly spelled domain ( just had a typo in the first post) but I guess it doesn't matter either way no. So that domain is pretty much useless your saying? That just by owning it I could get in trouble?

Not all of my names are like that, however I have a few more that are. Thanks for the heads up. I can't wait to learn more

[rngrdanny22]

Yeah, a domain like that will definitely get you in trouble. You directly listed a company and their product.

Try to stick to generic words/terms when choosing a domain name. However, you need to be careful in some cases. The word "apple" is generic, correct? Guess what would happen if you owned "apple.com" and tried to sell computer-related products... you got it! SUED! But if you owned "apple.com" and sold apple seeds, you're good to go.

Also, I think you fell into a trap that most first-time domainers experience. You over-registered. You picked up 25 domain names that more than likely have little to no value. Instead, you could have used the $200 to purchase one quality name that is both brandable and has resale value. The trouble with owning too many names is that come time to renew them each year, you're going to spend through the teeth again. The general lesson for registering is that if it's available, there's probably a reason. Most great domains are already taken. I learned this lesson myself...

[stock_post]

You can delete those names off of your GoDaddy account.
to stay out of trouble.

[Viprklr]

Yikes, did not know that! I will have to go through them now.

Guess I was just a little confused at first. A quick search of "Viagra" in google pulls up tons of domain names with "viagra" in the .com. All of those names/webpages are at risk as well? Same with any webpage that has "Ipad, apple, Ipod" in the .com?

Man I guess I am an idiot! Should I just post my list of names up so you guys can smack me? ha

In all honestly though thank you, I don't need to get in trouble. The few hundred that I spent on this I figured was a gamble in the first place.

[rngrdanny22]

Yeah, anytime you use a product or company name, you're liable for legal action. Although it's not guaranteed to happen... it's the company's decision. Sometimes they will just email you and ask that you cease and decist. Sometimes you can turn the name over to them. Other times, they'll try to make an example out of you.

[cbk]

Do more domain research before buying anymore domains.

Delete those names from your GoDaddy account and if it has been less than 5 days since you bought call Godaddy press#4 billing and you will get a refund

[rngrdanny22]

Do more domain research before buying anymore domains.

Delete those names from your GoDaddy account and if it has been less than 5 days since you bought call Godaddy press#4 billing and you will get a refund

Agreed. Does that really work??? I didn't even know that... Would help on those times where I get buyer's remorse!

[Viprklr]

I plan on spending my afternoon browsing these forums!

Sadly this was done longer than 4 days ago. Looks like about half my names are junk, the other half not so bad.

I know Ive said it once, but thanks again everyone.

[cbk]

Yes they will refund but if you do it too much they will charge a $2 fee and or not let you refund anymore. It is called domain name tasting and it is frowned upon in this establishment but I wish they allowed a few a day without hassle

[urlurl]

im glad they do that - there was a couple times i reg'd a name and oop's i misspelled it - not a big deal for $7 bucks but better my pocket than theirs.

[silentg]

Here's some useful websites for checking TM:
http://trademarkia.com
http://tess2.uspto.gov

[Christian Diamond]

I still have the Cease and Desist letter from my very first foray into domaining, when I made this same mistake Bought the domain "AcadamyAwardsWinners.com" and a few months later, received a very mean letter from their lawyers. I turned the domain over ot them and all was well, but it was a quick way to learn that lesson!

[south]

Some good advice in here. Also glad to see you are not too proud to accept advice. 25 names is probably a cheap lesson for you compared to many of us..

Read read read.... Common sense helps as well.

Welcome to DNF!

[urlurl]

also a good idea to space your name buying over a period of time. instead of going out buying 25 names at one shot, try only buying 1 a week or so until you get a feel for the industry.

[Big P]

Welcome to DNF..you will learn a lot here....some good info in this thread...another thing to remember if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is....stolen domains are very common...delete the TM domains and make sure your other ones are locked in your GoDaddy account. Good luck.