Domain Brandability Guide: Creating Memorable Brand Assets 2025

The most valuable domains in history weren't necessarily the exact-match keywords or the shortest domains. They were brandable: Google.com, Amazon.com, Netflix.com, Shopify.com, Spotify.com.

Brandability is the quality that makes a domain name memorable, unique, and capable of building a strong identity around it. While keyword domains tell you what a business does, brandable domains tell you who they are.

In an increasingly crowded digital landscape, brandability has become one of the most important—and most profitable—characteristics a domain can have. Generic keyword domains face commoditization and SEO devaluation, but strong brandable domains only increase in value as the business behind them grows.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about domain brandability: what it is, how to evaluate it, how to create brandable domains, and how to sell them for maximum value.

Understanding Brandability

What Is Brandability?

Definition: Brandability is the potential of a domain name to serve as a distinctive, memorable, and protectable brand identity.

Brandable vs. Generic:

Generic Domain: InsuranceQuotes.com

• Descriptive (tells what it is)
• SEO-friendly
• Hard to differentiate
• Commodity pricing
• Competes with exact matches

Brandable Domain: Lemonade.com (insurance company)

• Unique and unexpected
• Memorable
• Own-able identity
• Premium pricing
• Stands out in market

Both have value, but different use cases and pricing dynamics.

Why Brandability Matters

For Businesses:

1. Memorability

• Easier for customers to remember
• More word-of-mouth marketing
• Higher direct traffic
• Reduced customer acquisition cost

Example:

• Customer remembers "Zillow" easier than "HomeListingSearch.com"
• "Uber" vs. "OnDemandRideSharing.com"

2. Differentiation

• Stands out in crowded market
• Not competing on description
• Unique identity
• Harder for competitors to copy

3. Scalability

• Not locked into one product/service
• Can expand beyond initial offering
• Amazon started with books, brand allowed expansion
• Google didn't need to be SearchEngine.com

4. Premium Positioning

• Brandable names signal innovation
• Associated with quality and investment
• Command higher prices for products
• Attract better talent and investors

5. Trademark Protection

• Easier to trademark unique names
• Stronger legal protection
• Defensible brand

6. Emotional Connection

• Brandable names tell stories
• Create feelings and associations
• Build customer loyalty
• Go beyond transactional

For Domain Investors:

1. Higher Sale Prices

• Premium brandables sell for $10K-$1M+
• Less price sensitivity (not commodity)
• Buyers pay for potential
• Multiple interested parties possible

2. Broader Market

• Any industry can use good brandable
• Not limited to one niche
• More potential buyers
• Faster sales often

3. Appreciation Potential

• Value increases as naming trends evolve
• Fewer premium brandables created daily
• Supply constrained
• Long-term holds can 10x+

4. Competitive Advantage

• Fewer investors focus on brandables
• Requires different skillset (creativity)
• Less competition in auctions
• Better acquisition prices

Brandability Spectrum

Not binary (brandable vs. not), but a spectrum:

1. Ultra-Brandable (9-10/10)

• Google, Spotify, Zappos, Etsy
• Made-up or unexpected words
• Highly memorable
• Unique and ownable
• $100K-$10M+ value

2. Highly Brandable (7-8/10)

• Asana, Stripe, Plaid, Carta
• Real words used unexpectedly
• Short and catchy
• Strong potential
• $20K-$200K+ value

3. Moderately Brandable (5-6/10)

• FreshBooks, MailChimp, Dropbox
• Compound words, descriptive but creative
• Decent memorability
• Good brand potential
• $5K-$50K value

4. Low Brandability (3-4/10)

• BestInsurance, QuickBooks (descriptive focus)
• Functional, not unique
• Limited differentiation
• Some brand potential
• $1K-$10K value

5. Not Brandable (1-2/10)

• Insurance-Quotes-Online.com
• Purely descriptive
• Generic and forgettable
• No brand potential
• $100-$1K value

Characteristics of Brandable Domains

Core Elements

1. Memorability

Good brandables are easy to remember:

✅ What works:

• Unusual spellings (if minimal): Flickr, Tumblr
• Alliteration: PayPal, Coca-Cola
• Rhythm and flow: LegalZoom
• Visual imagery: Twitter (birds chirping)
• Emotional resonance: Airbnb (belonging)

❌ What doesn't:

• Too long (15+ characters)
• Complex spellings requiring explanation
• Random letter/number combinations
• Forgettable generic words

Test: Can someone hear your domain once and remember it an hour later?

2. Pronunciation

Easy to say = easy to share:

✅ Good:

• Nike (nye-kee)
• Uber (oo-ber)
• Slack (slack)
• Stripe (str-eye-p)

❌ Problematic:

• Xylophone-level complexity
• Multiple possible pronunciations
• Confusing phonetics
• Requires spelling out

Test: Can you say it over the phone without spelling it?

3. Spelling

Easy to spell = easy to find:

✅ Good:

• Matches how it sounds
• Dictionary word or intuitive
• No unexpected letters
• Common letter patterns

❌ Problematic:

• Xeriscaping (who can spell this?)
• Unnecessary vowel removal (Fvrr.com)
• Confusing letter substitutions
• Mix of numbers and letters

Exception: Slight modifications work if catchy (Flickr, Tumblr) - but use sparingly

4. Length

Shorter is generally better for brandability:

Ideal: 4-8 characters

• Google (6)
• Shopify (7)
• Amazon (6)
• Netflix (7)

Acceptable: 8-12 characters

• Instagram (9)
• Microsoft (9)
• Facebook (8)

Challenging: 12+ characters

• Can work if other factors strong
• Harder to remember
• More prone to typos
• Lower brandability score

5. Uniqueness

Distinctive names stand out:

✅ Unique:

• Coined words (Kodak, Xerox)
• Unexpected real words (Apple for tech, Amazon for retail)
• Creative combinations (YouTube, LinkedIn)
• Made-up but sounds real (Hulu, Skype)

❌ Generic:

• Common business terms (SolutionsInc, TechServices)
• Overused patterns (Get_____, ___ly, ___ify)
• Descriptive only (FastDelivery, BestPrice)

Test: Google the name - if 1 million+ results, probably not unique enough

6. Visual Appeal

How does it look written?

✅ Visually Appealing:

• Balanced letter shapes
• No awkward letter combinations
• Looks good in logos
• Clear and clean

❌ Visually Awkward:

• Double letters oddly (Aardvark - functional but awkward)
• All ascending letters (hillbillies)
• All caps looks aggressive
• Odd capitalization needed

Test: Write it down - does it look good on paper, in a logo, on business card?

7. Emotional Resonance

Best brands evoke feelings:

✅ Emotional:

• Airbnb → belonging, warmth
• Dove → peace, purity
• Virgin → rebellion, freshness
• Calm → tranquility

❌ Flat:

• DataProcessor → nothing
• FileStorage → technical, cold
• BusinessSolutions → corporate, boring

Test: What feeling does the name evoke? If "none," it's not maximally brandable

Advanced Brandability Factors

1. Domain Extension (.com vs. others)

.com dominance for brandability:

• 43% of all websites
• Default assumption
• Trust and credibility
• Highest resale value

Other extensions can work:

• .io (tech startups): Notion.io, Otter.ai
• .co (general): Angel.co, About.co
• .ai (AI companies): Copy.ai, Jasper.ai
• Country TLDs used creatively: Bit.ly, Youtu.be

But .com remains gold standard for maximum brandability.

2. Trademark Availability

Brandable domain must be trademarkable:

✅ Check:

• USPTO.gov (US trademarks)
• WIPO (international)
• Google search for existing use

❌ Avoid:

• Generic terms (can't trademark "bread")
• Existing major brands
• Too similar to registered marks

3. Domain Availability Across Platforms

Modern branding requires:

• Domain (.com ideally)
• Social handles (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• App store names
• Consistent naming

Highly brandable domains often have:

• Available social handles
• Clean Google results
• No conflicting usage

Check before buying:

• Twitter.com/[name]
• Instagram.com/[name]
• Facebook.com/[name]
• Namechk.com (checks all platforms)

4. Cultural Considerations

Avoid names that:

• Have negative meanings in other languages
• Are offensive internationally
• Cultural appropriation
• Religious insensitivity

Example fails:

• Chevy Nova (no va = "doesn't go" in Spanish)
• Puffs tissues (obscene in German)

Global brands require global thinking.

5. Futureproofing

Great brandable names:

• Don't lock you into one product
• Allow category expansion
• Age well (not trendy)
• Work across mediums (print, digital, voice)

Example:

• Amazon: Started books, now everything
• Apple: Started computers, now phones, services, more
• Google: Started search, now everything

Bad:

• AwesomeVideoDVDRentals.com (dated)
• MySpace (limiting)
• The______ pattern (Facebook dropped "The")

Types of Brandable Domains

Category 1: Invented Words

Completely made-up words with no prior meaning:

Examples:

• Google
• Kodak
• Xerox
• Häagen-Dazs (fake Danish-sounding name)
• Verizon
• Acura

Pros: ✅ Completely unique and ownable ✅ Easy to trademark ✅ Can define meaning ✅ High brandability

Cons: ❌ Requires significant marketing to establish ❌ No inherent meaning to guide customers ❌ Harder to remember initially ❌ Expensive to build brand awareness

When to use:

• Have large marketing budget
• Want complete uniqueness
• Long-term brand building
• Want strongest trademark

How to create:

• Combine syllables that sound good together
• Use name generators (Namelix, Squadhelp)
• Play with phonetic patterns
• Test pronunciation and memorability

Valuation:

• Pre-revenue: $5K-$50K
• With traction: $50K-$500K+
• Established brand: $500K-$10M+

Category 2: Real Words (Unexpected Usage)

Dictionary words used in unexpected contexts:

Examples:

• Apple (tech, not fruit)
• Amazon (retail, not river)
• Stripe (payments, not pattern)
• Square (payments, not shape)
• Slack (communication, not laziness)

Pros: ✅ Easy to spell and remember ✅ Existing word familiarity ✅ Evokes imagery and feelings ✅ Moderate to high brandability

Cons: ❌ May have unrelated competitors ❌ Harder to trademark (less distinctive) ❌ Generic word SEO challenges ❌ May need to overcome existing associations

When to use:

• Want memorability without invention
• Building brand through association
• Medium marketing budget
• Creative positioning

How to find:

• Browse dictionary
• Look at nature (Sky, River, Stone)
• Animals (Puma, Jaguar, Dove)
• Objects (Crown, Compass, Anchor)
• Emotions (Calm, Joy, Bold)

Best performing categories:

• Short, punchy words (1-2 syllables)
• Positive associations
• Visual imagery
• Universal concepts

Valuation:

• Short dictionary .com (4-6 letters): $10K-$100K+
• Common words: $5K-$50K
• Obscure words: $1K-$10K

Category 3: Compound Words

Two words combined creatively:

Examples:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• SnapChat
• Instagram
• Airbnb

Pros: ✅ Descriptive while unique ✅ Easy to understand concept ✅ Memorable ✅ Moderate brandability

Cons: ❌ Can be longer ❌ Less unique than invented ❌ Trademark challenges if too generic

When to use:

• Want to convey function + brand
• Startup with limited marketing budget
• Need immediate comprehension
• Industry where description helps

How to create:

• Pair unexpected words
• Mix categories (verb + noun, adjective + noun)
• Tools: Domain Wheel, NameMesh

Examples by pattern:

• Verb + Noun: SnapChat, ShareFile
• Adjective + Noun: RedBull, FreshBooks
• Noun + Noun: MailChimp, WordPress
• Prefix + Word: Uber_____, Super_____

Valuation:

• Creative compounds: $5K-$50K
• Descriptive compounds: $1K-$10K
• Premium combinations: $20K-$200K+

Category 4: Modified Spellings

Real words with creative spelling changes:

Examples:

• Lyft (Lift)
• Fiverr (Fiver)
• Flickr (Flicker)
• Tumblr (Tumbler)
• Scribd (Scribed)

Pros: ✅ Unique and trademarkable ✅ Familiar base word ✅ Often shorter .com available ✅ Modern, tech-savvy vibe

Cons: ❌ Can be confusing to spell ❌ People may go to correct spelling ❌ Need to educate customers ❌ Can feel trendy/dated

Modifications that work:

• Dropped vowels (Flickr, Tumblr)
• Double letters (Fiverr, Dribbble)
• Substitute letters (Lyft, Scribd)

Modifications to avoid:

• Numbers for letters (L33t speak) - dated
• Excessive changes - too confusing
• Hard-to-guess changes

When to use:

• Perfect .com spelling taken
• Want something unique
• Tech/startup audience (more forgiving)
• Don't mind explaining spelling

Valuation:

• Clever modifications: $5K-$50K
• Confusing modifications: $1K-$5K
• With traction: Can reach $100K+

Category 5: Short-Form Brandables

Very short domains (3-6 characters) that are pronounceable:

Examples:

• Hulu
• Etsy
• Asana
• Plaid
• Calm
• Zoom

Pros: ✅ Extremely memorable ✅ Easy to type ✅ Premium positioning ✅ Scarce and valuable

Cons: ❌ Expensive to acquire ❌ Most taken in .com ❌ No inherent meaning ❌ Require brand building

Categories:

• CVCV (consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel): Hulu, Etsy
• CVCC: Calm, Bold
• CVC: Stripe, Square (6 letters but short feel)

When to use:

• Have acquisition budget ($10K-$100K+)
• Want premium brand
• Long-term investment
• Maximum memorability

Valuation:

• 3-letter .com: $10K-$1M+
• 4-letter pronounceable .com: $5K-$100K
• 5-6 letter brandable .com: $2K-$50K

Category 6: Suffix/Prefix Brandables

Adding common endings or beginnings to root words:

Examples:

• Spotify (-ify)
• Shopify (-ify)
• Dropbox (Drop-)
• Snapchat (Snap-)
• Instagram (-gram)

Common patterns:

• -ify: Spotify, Shopify, Stringify
• -ly: Bitly, Friendly, Lively
• -able: Teachable, Sellable, Readable
• -er: Uber, Bumper, Builder
• -hub: Pornhub, GitHub
• App-: AppFolio
• Get-: GetResponse

Pros: ✅ Familiar pattern, easy to remember ✅ Conveys action or function ✅ Moderately brandable

Cons: ❌ Overused patterns (especially -ly, -ify) ❌ Less unique ❌ Trend-dependent

When to use:

• Limited budget
• Want familiarity
• Acceptable if root word is strong
• Descriptive + brandable balance

Avoid overused patterns:

• -ly is saturated
• -ify somewhat played out
• Choose less common patterns for uniqueness

Valuation:

• Creative pattern use: $3K-$30K
• Overused patterns: $500-$5K
• Premium examples: $10K-$100K

Evaluating Brandability

The Brandability Scorecard

Rate domains 1-10 on each factor:

1. Memorability (Weight: 15%)

• 10: Instantly memorable, unique
• 7: Easy to remember with one exposure
• 5: Memorable with repetition
• 3: Forgettable, blends in
• 1: Impossible to remember

2. Pronunciation (Weight: 15%)

• 10: Obvious, one way to say it
• 7: Clear with minor ambiguity
• 5: Multiple pronunciations possible
• 3: Difficult to pronounce
• 1: Unpronounceable

3. Spelling (Weight: 15%)

• 10: Spells exactly as it sounds
• 7: Mostly intuitive
• 5: Requires some thought
• 3: Difficult to spell
• 1: Nearly impossible to spell correctly

4. Length (Weight: 10%)

• 10: 4-6 characters
• 8: 7-9 characters
• 6: 10-12 characters
• 4: 13-15 characters
• 2: 16+ characters

5. Uniqueness (Weight: 15%)

• 10: Completely unique, no competition
• 7: Distinctive in context
• 5: Some similar names exist
• 3: Common pattern/words
• 1: Generic, overused

6. Visual Appeal (Weight: 10%)

• 10: Looks great written
• 7: Visually pleasing
• 5: Neutral appearance
• 3: Visually awkward
• 1: Looks terrible

7. Meaning/Association (Weight: 10%)

• 10: Powerful positive associations
• 7: Pleasant connotations
• 5: Neutral
• 3: Some negative associations
• 1: Bad connotations

8. Domain Extension (Weight: 10%)

• 10: .com
• 7: .io, .co (for tech)
• 5: .net, .org
• 3: New TLDs (.tech, .online)
• 1: Weak TLDs (.info, .biz)

Calculate Total Score:

(Memorability × 0.15) + (Pronunciation × 0.15) + (Spelling × 0.15) +
(Length × 0.10) + (Uniqueness × 0.15) + (Visual × 0.10) +
(Meaning × 0.10) + (Extension × 0.10) = Brandability Score

Interpretation:

• 9.0-10.0: Ultra-premium brandable ($50K-$1M+)
• 7.5-8.9: Excellent brandable ($20K-$100K)
• 6.0-7.4: Good brandable ($5K-$30K)
• 4.5-5.9: Moderate brandable ($1K-$10K)
• Below 4.5: Low brandability (<$1K)

Example Evaluation:

Domain: Calendly.com

• Memorability: 8 (catchy, easy to recall)
• Pronunciation: 9 (obvious)
• Spelling: 8 (intuitive)
• Length: 8 (8 characters, perfect)
• Uniqueness: 7 (distinctive but -ly pattern)
• Visual: 8 (looks clean)
• Meaning: 7 (calendar association clear)
• Extension: 10 (.com)

Score: (8×0.15) + (9×0.15) + (8×0.15) + (8×0.10) + (7×0.15) + (8×0.10) + (7×0.10) + (10×0.10) = 8.05

Valuation Range: $20K-$100K (Excellent brandable)

Actual: Calendly raised $350M+ in funding, domain likely worth $500K-$2M now due to brand equity

Quick Brandability Tests

5-Minute Evaluation:

Test 1: The Radio Test Could you communicate this domain clearly over a phone/radio without spelling it?

Test 2: The Bar Test If you told someone this domain name in a loud bar, would they remember it the next day?

Test 3: The Business Card Test Does it look good on a business card? Is it embarrassing?

Test 4: The Investor Test Would serious investors take a company with this name seriously?

Test 5: The Mom Test Could your mom spell it after hearing it once?

If yes to all 5: Probably highly brandable If yes to 3-4: Moderately brandable If yes to 1-2: Low brandability

Finding Brandable Domains

Hand Registration Strategy

Finding available brandable .com domains:

Reality Check:

• Most dictionary words gone
• Simple compounds mostly gone
• Need creativity

Strategies:

1. Name Generators

Namelix.com:

• AI-powered brandable name generator
• Input keywords, get creative suggestions
• Checks .com availability
• Free to use

NameMesh.com:

• Combines words creatively
• Categories: common, new, short, fun, SEO
• Domain availability check
• Free

Squadhelp.com:

• Professional naming contests
• Crowd-sourced creativity
• $300-$1,000+ per contest
• Get 100+ name ideas

2. Dictionary Mining

Obscure Words:

• Scientific terms
• Foreign language dictionaries
• Archaic English
• Technical jargon (used creatively)

Example available (hypothetically):

• Azimuth.com (surveying term)
• Verdant.com (lush green)
• Nimbus.com (cloud formation)

Tools:

• OneLook.com (reverse dictionary)
• Thesaurus.com (synonyms)
• Wikipedia random article

3. Syllable Combination

Create pronounceable invented words:

Pattern: Consonant-Vowel combinations

Examples:

• Ta + no = Tano
• Lu + via = Luvia
• Ko + mi = Komi
• Ri + ven = Riven

Test pronunciation, then check availability

Tools:

• Lean Domain Search
• Instant Domain Search

4. Modification Strategy

Take perfect (taken) name, modify:

Example: "Craft" taken

Try:

• Crafty
• Krafto
• Crafte
• Crafti
• Craftly

Check availability of variations

5. Prefix/Suffix Addition

Add to short root word:

Example: "Pay" as root

Try:

• Paymo
• Payble
• Payvo
• Zenpay
• Propay

Works if addition feels natural

Buying Brandable Domains

Where to buy existing brandables:

1. BrandBucket.com

• Curated brandable marketplace
• Logo included with each domain
• $2,000-$20,000 typical prices
• Quality curation
• 30% commission if you list

2. BrandPA.com

• Budget-friendly brandables
• $1,000-$10,000 range
• Good selection
• Less curation than BrandBucket

3. Atom.com Marketplace

• Mix of brandables
• Competitive pricing
• Newer platform

4. Squadhelp Marketplace

• Brandables from naming contests
• With logos often
• $1,500-$15,000 range
• Quality varies

5. Expired Domain Auctions

• DropCatch, NameJet, GoDaddy
• Filter for brandable characteristics
• Can find deals ($100-$2,000)
• Requires more evaluation skill

6. Private Outreach

• Find parked brandable domains
• Contact owners
• Negotiate purchase
• Can get good deals

Buying Strategy:

Budget Approach:

• Buy on BrandPA or expired auctions
• $500-$2,000 per domain
• Higher volume, lower quality average
• Flip or hold

Premium Approach:

• Buy on BrandBucket
• $3,000-$10,000 per domain
• Higher quality, pre-vetted
• Better resale potential

Evaluation Before Buying:

✅ Run through brandability scorecard ✅ Check trademark availability ✅ Verify social handle availability ✅ Google search for conflicts ✅ Estimate resale value ✅ Compare to recent sales

Selling Brandable Domains

Pricing Strategy

Brandables price differently than keyword domains:

Keyword Domain Pricing:

• Based on comparables
• Search volume data
• CPC value
• Quantifiable metrics

Brandable Domain Pricing:

• Based on perceived potential
• Scarcity and uniqueness
• Buyer's budget and need
• More subjective

Pricing Framework:

Tier 1: Premium Brandables ($20K-$500K+)

• Ultra-short (3-5 characters)
• Perfect brandability scores (8.5+)
• .com extension
• Zero Google results (truly unique)

Tier 2: Excellent Brandables ($5K-$30K)

• Good length (6-8 characters)
• Strong brandability (7.5-8.4)
• .com or premium alt extension
• Great potential

Tier 3: Good Brandables ($2K-$10K)

• Moderate length (8-12 characters)
• Solid brandability (6.5-7.4)
• .com preferred
• Clear use cases

Tier 4: Entry Brandables ($500-$3K)

• Longer or slight issues
• Decent brandability (5.5-6.4)
• Various extensions
• Budget option for startups

Pricing Tactics:

Anchor High:

• List at premium price
• "Make Offer" option
• Negotiate down
• Perceived value matters

Bundle with Services:

• Logo design included
• Brand strategy consultation
• Social handle securing
• Adds value, justifies price

Payment Plans:

• $10K domain = $2K down + $1K/month × 10
• Makes premium brandables accessible
• Higher total price acceptable
• Attracts startup buyers

Marketing Brandable Domains

Brandables require different marketing:

1. Marketplace Selection

Best for Brandables:

• BrandBucket (if accepted)
• Dan.com (beautiful presentations)
• Atom
• Your own website

Less Ideal:

• GoDaddy (commodity marketplace)
• Generic domain marketplaces

2. Presentation

Essential Elements:

Professional Landing Page:

[DomainName.com]
Premium Brandable Domain

Short | Memorable | .com

Perfect for:
• [Industry 1]
• [Industry 2]
• [Industry 3]

Evokes: [Feelings/associations]

[MAKE OFFER button]
[BUY NOW $XX,XXX button]

Contact: [email]

Visual Mockups:

• Logo concepts featuring the domain
• Business card mockup
• Website header mockup
• App icon mockup

Makes it real, helps buyer envision

3. Target Audience Identification

Who buys brandable domains?

• Startup founders (pre-launch, rebranding)
• Brand agencies (for clients)
• VCs/accelerators (for portfolio companies)
• Established companies (rebrands, new products)
• Domain investors (speculation)

Tailor outreach to each:

For Startups:

• Emphasize memorability, VC appeal
• Offer payment plans
• Show how it helps fundraising

For Agencies:

• Wholesale pricing
• Portfolio access
• Relationship building

For Corporates:

• Professional presentation
• Trademark clearance proof
• Brand strategy value

4. Social Media Promotion

Twitter:

🚀 Premium brandable domain available: [Name.com]

✨ Short, memorable, .com
💡 Perfect for [niche] startups
🎯 Great for building a unique brand

DM for pricing or make an offer!

#startup #branding #domains

Post with mockups, gets engagement

LinkedIn:

More professional, longer posts:

Why [DomainName.com] is perfect for modern tech companies:

1. Memorability: Studies show brandable names have 40% better recall than generic descriptive names.

2. Investor Appeal: VCs consistently note that companies with strong brandable domains signal professionalism and long-term thinking.

3. Flexibility: Unlike BudgetInsuranceQuotes.com, [DomainName.com] allows you to expand beyond your initial product.

Currently available. Interested in discussing? Send me a message.

#startups #branding #entrepreneurship

5. Direct Outreach

Find recently funded startups:

• Crunchbase
• AngelList
• TechCrunch funding announcements
• Product Hunt launches

Outreach template:

Subject: Premium domain for [Company]

Hi [Founder],

Congrats on your recent [funding round/launch]!

I noticed [Company] is using [CurrentDomain.extension]. As you scale, you might want to consider securing a premium .com for brand protection and credibility.

I own [BrandableDomain.com] and thought it could be a great fit for your brand because [specific reason].

Would you be interested in discussing? Happy to make it work within your budget.

Best,
[Your Name]

Response rate: 5-10% Conversion: 1-2% of outreach

Send 100 outreach = 5-10 responses = 1-2 sales

Negotiation for Brandables

Different dynamics than keyword domains:

Buyer Mindset:

• Emotional decision (falls in love with name)
• Less comparable data (each brandable unique)
• Budget varies widely
• Vision-driven purchase

Your Approach:

1. Qualify Intentions

Thanks for your interest in [Domain.com]!

Could you share:
• How do you envision using the domain?
• What attracted you to this name specifically?
• What's your timeline for acquiring a domain?

This helps me understand if it's a good fit and discuss pricing appropriately.

Understanding their vision helps you sell the potential

2. Paint the Picture

I can really see [Domain.com] working for [their use case]. Imagine:

• Customer tells friend about your product
• Friend types [Domain.com] and finds you immediately
• No confusion, no .co/.io redirects
• Professional from day one

That's the power of a great brandable .com.

Help them visualize success with the domain

3. Justify Premium Pricing

I know $XX,XXX might seem like a lot for a domain.

But consider:
• Rebranding costs if you start with a weaker name: $50K-$200K+
• Marketing inefficiency of a forgettable domain
• This is a one-time investment that appreciates
• Compare to 2-3 months of marketing budget

The right domain name is foundational to everything else.

4. Flexible Structures

If budget is concern:

I understand budget is tight at this stage.

I can offer:

Option A: $XX,XXX paid in full (10% discount)
Option B: $X,XXX down + $X,XXX/month × 12 months
Option C: $X,XXX now + $X,XXX when you raise your next round

Would any of these work?

5. Scarcity (When True)

I should mention - I've had two other inquiries this month on [Domain.com]. I operate first-come, first-served, so if you're serious, I'd recommend moving forward soon.

I'd hate for you to miss out on the perfect name for your brand.

Only use if actually true - don't fabricate

Creating a Brandable Domain Business

Business Model Options

1. Brandable Domain Marketplace

Build curated collection:

• Acquire 50-200 brandables
• Create professional site showcasing all
• Price $2K-$20K each
• Market actively

Investment: $50K-$200K Potential Revenue: $100K-$1M+/year Time: Full-time operation

Examples: BrandBucket, BrandPA

2. Naming Agency

Offer domain + services:

• Naming consultation
• Domain acquisition
• Logo design
• Brand strategy
• Charge $5K-$50K per client

Investment: Time + small domain inventory Revenue: $50K-$500K+/year Time: Full or part-time

3. Brandable Flipping

Buy low, sell high:

• Acquire brandables at $500-$2K
• Improve presentation (mockups, landing page)
• Sell at $3K-$10K
• Volume approach

Investment: $5K-$20K rolling capital Revenue: $20K-$100K+/year Time: Part-time possible

4. Brandable Development

Build businesses on brandable domains:

• Acquire premium brandable
• Develop into real business
• Sell business for 3-5× revenue
• Long-term play

Investment: $20K-$100K per project Revenue: $100K-$1M+ per exit Time: 1-3 years per project

Scaling Strategies

Start Small:

Month 1-3:

• Buy 5-10 brandables ($500-$2K each)
• Create landing pages
• List on marketplaces
• Learn what sells

Month 4-6:

• Sell first 2-3 domains
• Reinvest profits
• Refine acquisition criteria
• Build marketing system

Month 7-12:

• Expand inventory to 20-30 domains
• Systemize presentations
• Active outreach program
• $20K-$50K revenue target

Year 2:

• 50-100 domain inventory
• Virtual assistant for admin
• Professional marketplace presence
• $50K-$150K revenue target

Year 3+:

• 100-200+ domain portfolio
• Small team (VA, designer, developer)
• Agency-level service offering
• $100K-$500K+ revenue target

Conclusion

Brandability represents the future of valuable domain investing. As exact-match keyword domains decline in SEO importance and availability, brandable domains only become more valuable.

Key Takeaways:

1. Brandability is about potential - The ability to build a unique, memorable brand

2. Multiple characteristics matter - Memorability, pronunciation, spelling, length, uniqueness all contribute

3. Evaluation is learnable - Use the scorecard to assess systematically

4. Finding requires creativity - Name generators, modifications, invented words

5. Pricing is different - More subjective, potential-based, higher premiums possible

6. Marketing is critical - Professional presentation, targeted outreach, storytelling

7. Target the right buyers - Startups, agencies, companies rebranding

8. Be patient - Brandables take longer to sell but command better prices

9. Build a system - Scale through process, inventory, marketing

10. Think long-term - Best brandables appreciate significantly

Getting Started:

This Week:

• Evaluate 20 brandables using the scorecard
• Hand-register 2-3 available brandables ($30-50 total)
• Create professional landing pages
• List on Dan.com or BrandBucket

This Month:

• Acquire 5-10 brandables (budget $2K-$10K)
• Build marketing system
• Outreach to 50 potential buyers
• Sell first brandable

This Quarter:

• Grow inventory to 20 domains
• Refine acquisition criteria based on sales
• Systemize presentations
• Generate $5K-$20K revenue

This Year:

• Build 50-100 domain portfolio
• Establish marketplace presence
• Develop buyer network
• $30K-$100K revenue target

Brandable domains are where art meets commerce, creativity meets ROI, and patient investors build lasting value.

The most valuable domain sales of the next decade won't be Exact-Match-Keywords.com—they'll be the next Google, Amazon, or Spotify.

Now go create the next great brand.