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Domain Development Strategies: Complete Build Guide 2025

Category: Domain Development & Business Building

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November 13, 2025

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Domain Development Strategies: Complete Build Guide 2025

Category: Domain Development & Business Building Tags: domain development, website building, domain monetization, business development, site building Status: DRAFT

What is Domain Development?

Definition and Scope

Domain development is the process of building an actual website or business on a domain name to create value, generate revenue, or increase the domain's resale price.

Ranges from:

Minimal: Simple 5-page informational site
Basic: Blog with 20-50 articles
Moderate: Full content site with 100+ pages, monetization
Advanced: Complete business with products, services, team
Maximum: Full-scale company (Amazon, Google started this way)

Not the same as:

Domain parking: Showing ads on undeveloped domain
Domain flipping: Buying and reselling without development
Squatting: Holding domains without intent to use (often illegal)

Why Develop Domains?

Reason 1: Increase resale value

Undeveloped domain:

MarketingTools.com
Value: $3,000-5,000

Developed domain:

MarketingTools.com with:
- 50-page content site
- 2,000 monthly visitors
- $300/month revenue
- Email list of 500
Value: $10,000-30,000 (revenue multiple)

Value increase: 2x-10x

Reason 2: Generate monthly income

Instead of waiting years for domain sale:

Build site
Monetize with ads, affiliate, products
Earn $100-10,000+/month
Hold indefinitely or sell for 20-40x monthly revenue

Reason 3: Build actual business

Some domains deserve full business:

Strong brand potential
Large market opportunity
Competitive advantage
Long-term vision

Reason 4: Test market demand

Before investing heavily:

Build basic site
Test traffic and conversions
Validate business model
Then decide: develop further or sell

Reason 5: Portfolio differentiation

Stand out in crowded market:

Most domain investors don't develop
Developed sites command premium prices
Attract serious buyers (business owners, not domainers)
Build reputation as operator, not just investor

Development Levels and ROI

Level 1: Basic Landing Page (1-10 hours)

What to build:

Single HTML page
Domain information and value proposition
Contact form
Professional design (template)
Basic SEO

Time investment: 1-10 hours Cost: $0-50 Value increase: +10-30%

Tools:

Carrd ($19/year)
GitHub Pages (free)
Webflow (free tier)
Simple HTML template

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Premium Marketing Tools - MarketingTools.com</title>
    <meta name="description" content="Discover the best marketing tools and resources at MarketingTools.com">
</head>
<body>
    <header>
        <h1>MarketingTools.com</h1>
        <p>Your Complete Marketing Platform</p>
    </header>

    <section>
        <h2>Why MarketingTools.com?</h2>
        <ul>
            <li>Premium exact-match domain name</li>
            <li>High search volume keyword</li>
            <li>Perfect for SaaS, agency, or marketplace</li>
            <li>Instant brand credibility</li>
        </ul>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h2>Acquisition Inquiry</h2>
        <p>Interested in acquiring this premium domain?</p>
        <a href="mailto:domains@example.com">Contact Us</a>
    </section>
</body>
</html>

When to use:

Domain actively for sale
Want better presentation than parking page
Limited time/budget
Testing multiple domains

ROI example:

Domain: TechConsulting.com
Undeveloped value: $2,000
5 hours building landing page
New value: $2,400-2,600
Increase: $400-600 for 5 hours work ($80-120/hour)

Level 2: Basic Content Site (20-50 hours)

What to build:

WordPress or static site
Homepage + 5-10 core pages
10-20 blog posts (500-1,000 words each)
Basic SEO optimization
Simple monetization (AdSense, affiliate)

Time investment: 20-50 hours Cost: $50-300 (hosting, theme, maybe freelance writing) Value increase: +50-200%

Page structure:

Homepage
About page
3-5 category/topic pages
10-20 blog posts
Contact page
Privacy policy / Terms

Content strategy:

Keyword research for niche
Write comprehensive guides
Target long-tail keywords
Build foundation for SEO

Example site (MarketingTools.com):

Core pages:

Homepage: "Top 100 Marketing Tools for 2025"
Email Marketing Tools
Social Media Marketing Tools
SEO Tools
Analytics Tools
Content Marketing Tools

Blog posts:

"10 Best Email Marketing Platforms Compared"
"How to Choose Social Media Scheduling Tool"
"SEO Tools Every Marketer Needs"
"Google Analytics Alternatives for Privacy"
"Content Calendar Tools Review"
(15 more similar)

Monetization:

Amazon Associates (tool recommendations)
Google AdSense
Affiliate programs for SaaS tools

ROI example:

Domain: MarketingTools.com
Time investment: 40 hours
Costs: $150 (hosting + theme)
Undeveloped value: $3,000
With basic content: $5,000-8,000
Increase: $2,000-5,000 ($50-125/hour)

Level 3: Authority Content Site (100-300 hours)

What to build:

50-100+ high-quality articles
Comprehensive topic coverage
1,000-5,000 monthly visitors
Email list (500-2,000 subscribers)
Multiple monetization streams
Brand identity (logo, social media)

Time investment: 100-300 hours over 3-6 months Cost: $500-2,000 (hosting, content, design, tools) Value increase: +200-1000%

Content strategy:

Comprehensive keyword research
Hub and spoke content model
Long-form guides (2,000-5,000 words)
Regular publishing schedule
Link building campaigns

Traffic goals:

Months 1-3: 100-500 visitors/month
Months 4-6: 500-2,000 visitors/month
Months 7-12: 2,000-10,000 visitors/month

Monetization mix:

Google AdSense: $200-500/month
Affiliate marketing: $300-1,000/month
Sponsored posts: $100-500/month
Email promotions: $100-300/month
Total: $700-2,300/month

Valuation: Monthly revenue × 20-30 multiplier:

$1,000/month = $20,000-30,000 value
$2,000/month = $40,000-60,000 value

Example: FitnessTracker.com

Development:

80 articles on fitness tracking, health metrics, wearables
Reviews of 50+ fitness trackers
Comparison tools
Email course on fitness tracking
3,000 monthly visitors
$1,200/month revenue (affiliate + ads)

Result:

Initial domain value: $4,000
After development: $30,000-40,000
Time: 6 months, 200 hours
ROI: $26,000-36,000 or $130-180/hour

Level 4: Revenue-Generating Business (500-1,000+ hours)

What to build:

Full-featured website or SaaS
Significant traffic (10,000+ monthly visitors)
Substantial revenue ($2,000+/month)
Email list (5,000+ subscribers)
Brand authority
Team or contractors

Time investment: 500-1,000+ hours over 6-12+ months Cost: $2,000-10,000+ (development, content, marketing, team) Value increase: +1000-10000%+

Business models:

SaaS (Software as a Service):

Monthly subscription software
Example: ProjectManagementTool.com → PM software
Revenue: $5,000-50,000+/month
Valuation: 3-10x annual revenue

Marketplace:

Connect buyers and sellers
Example: FreelanceWriters.com → writer marketplace
Revenue: Commission on transactions
Valuation: 2-5x annual revenue

E-commerce:

Sell physical or digital products
Example: OrganicTea.com → tea shop
Revenue: Product sales
Valuation: 2-4x annual revenue + inventory

Membership site:

Paid community or content
Example: DigitalMarketingPro.com → training membership
Revenue: $20-200/month per member
Valuation: 3-5x annual revenue

Lead generation:

Generate leads, sell to businesses
Example: SolarPanelQuotes.com → lead gen for installers
Revenue: $50-500 per lead
Valuation: 2-4x annual revenue

ROI example: EmailMarketingAcademy.com

Development (12 months):

Comprehensive email marketing training platform
100+ video lessons
Templates and tools
Community forum
Monthly membership: $49/month

Results:

Members: 200
Monthly revenue: $9,800
Annual revenue: $117,600
Site value: $350,000-590,000 (3-5x revenue)

Investment:

Domain: $5,000
Development: $15,000
Marketing: $10,000
Total: $30,000

Return: $320,000-560,000 net or 1,067-1,867% ROI

Level 5: Full-Scale Company (2,000+ hours)

What to build:

Multi-million dollar business
Team of 10-100+ employees
Significant market share
Venture funding potential
IPO or acquisition exit potential

Examples:

Booking.com (travel booking platform)
Hotels.com (hotel booking)
Match.com (dating platform)
Salesforce.com (CRM software)

Investment: $100,000-millions Time: Years Return: Potentially $millions-billions

This guide focuses on Levels 1-4. Level 5 is venture-backed startup territory.

Development Strategies by Domain Type

Strategy 1: Exact Match Keyword Domains

Domain type: Keyword.com (e.g., DogTraining.com, LegalAdvice.com)

Development approach:

Comprehensive content on the topic
Target all related keywords
Become authority in niche
Leverage SEO advantage of exact match

Example: CreditCards.com

Content strategy:

Reviews of 100+ credit cards
Comparison tools
Credit card education
Apply now links (affiliate)

Monetization:

Credit card affiliate programs ($50-200 per approval)
Display ads
Sponsored listings

Traffic potential: Very high (keyword has search volume) Revenue potential: $10,000-100,000+/month Development time: 6-12 months Value multiplier: 25-40x monthly revenue

When to develop:

High search volume keyword (10,000+/month)
Strong commercial intent
Viable monetization (affiliate, lead gen)
You have domain expertise

Strategy 2: Brandable Invented Names

Domain type: Made-up names (e.g., Spotify.com, Zillow.com, Etsy.com)

Development approach:

Create unique brand identity
Build business that defines the name
Marketing-heavy approach
Product/service focus

Example: Your invented name - Zephio.com

Business strategy:

Define what Zephio means (you decide)
Build product/service around it
Heavy branding and marketing
Create brand equity

Monetization:

SaaS subscription
E-commerce
Marketplace
Service business

Traffic potential: Low initially (no search volume for made-up name) Revenue potential: Unlimited (depends on business) Development time: 12-24+ months Value multiplier: Depends on business success

When to develop:

You have unique business idea
Domain is memorable and pronounceable
You're committed long-term
You have marketing budget

Strategy 3: Location + Service Domains

Domain type: City + Service (e.g., NYCPlumbers.com, TorontoLawyers.ca)

Development approach:

Local directory
Service provider listings
Lead generation
Local SEO focus

Example: DenverElectricians.com

Content strategy:

Directory of Denver electricians
Electrician reviews and ratings
Educational content (electrical how-tos)
Service area maps
Emergency electrician info

Monetization:

Lead sales to electricians ($20-80 per lead)
Featured listings ($50-200/month)
Google AdSense
Sponsored content

Traffic potential: Moderate (local + service searches) Revenue potential: $1,000-10,000+/month Development time: 3-6 months Value multiplier: 20-35x monthly revenue

When to develop:

Service has high lead value
Market size sufficient (city 100,000+ population)
Low competition in local directory space
You can rank in local SEO

Strategy 4: Trend/Timing Domains

Domain type: Emerging trend keywords (e.g., AIMarketing.com, CryptoWallet.com)

Development approach:

Quick launch to capture trend
Educational content
Tool directories
Ride the wave

Example: NFTMarketplace.com (if registered in 2020)

Content strategy:

What are NFTs guide
How to buy/sell NFTs
NFT platform reviews
NFT news and trends
Marketplace directory

Monetization:

Affiliate links to platforms
Display ads
Sponsored content
Premium listings

Traffic potential: Very high during trend peak Revenue potential: $5,000-50,000+/month at peak Development time: 1-3 months (move fast) Value multiplier: Lower (10-20x) due to trend risk

When to develop:

Early in trend (before mainstream)
Large market potential
Multiple monetization options
You understand the trend

Caution: Trends can crash. Consider exit timing.

Strategy 5: EMD + Micro-SaaS

Domain type: Exact match keyword.com + software tool

Development approach:

Build simple software tool matching domain
SaaS subscription model
Leverage domain for SEO and credibility

Example: InvoiceGenerator.com

Product:

Simple online invoice generator
Free tier (limited features)
Pro tier ($10-20/month) unlimited

Development:

2-3 month MVP build
Basic features: create invoice, PDF export, templates
Payment integration (Stripe)
User accounts

Monetization:

Freemium: Free basic, paid pro
Target: 1,000 users, 5% conversion = 50 paid = $500-1,000/month

Traffic: 5,000-10,000/month (keyword SEO) Revenue potential: $1,000-5,000/month Development cost: $3,000-10,000 (developer) Value multiplier: 30-50x monthly revenue (SaaS premium)

When to develop:

You have technical skills or budget for developer
Clear product-market fit
Keyword has commercial intent
Monetization path obvious

Content Development Workflow

Phase 1: Planning (Week 1)

Step 1: Niche research

Define exact topic scope
Identify target audience
Research competition
Assess monetization potential

Step 2: Keyword research

Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest
Find 100-200 target keywords
Prioritize by volume, difficulty, intent
Group into topics/categories

Step 3: Content calendar

Plan 20-50 initial articles
Hub and spoke model:
- 5-10 comprehensive pillar guides (2,000-5,000 words)
- 15-40 supporting articles (800-1,500 words)
Schedule publishing timeline

Step 4: Monetization plan

Identify 3-5 revenue streams
Research affiliate programs
Plan product/service offerings
Set revenue goals

Phase 2: Setup (Week 2)

Step 5: Website infrastructure

Platform choice:

WordPress (recommended): Flexible, SEO-friendly, huge ecosystem
Webflow: Visual builder, modern, no coding
Ghost: Clean, blogging-focused, fast
Static site (Hugo, Jekyll): Fast, secure, technical

Hosting:

Shared hosting: $3-10/month (Namecheap, Bluehost) - beginners
Managed WordPress: $15-50/month (WP Engine, Kinsta) - serious sites
Cloud (DigitalOcean, Linode): $5-20/month - technical users

Theme:

GeneratePress (WordPress) - $59/year
Astra (WordPress) - Free or $59/year
Webflow templates - $24-79 one-time

Essential plugins (WordPress):

Yoast SEO or RankMath (SEO optimization)
WP Rocket (speed/caching)
MonsterInsights (Google Analytics)
Thrive Leads or OptinMonster (email capture)
Pretty Links (affiliate link management)

Step 6: Design and branding

Create logo (Canva, Looka, Fiverr)
Choose color palette
Set typography
Design templates for posts
Create graphics templates

Phase 3: Content Creation (Months 1-3)

Step 7: Write pillar content

Pillar post = comprehensive guide covering main topic

Example pillar posts for MarketingTools.com:

"Complete Guide to Marketing Tools 2025" (5,000 words)
"Email Marketing Tools: Ultimate Comparison" (4,000 words)
"SEO Tools Every Marketer Needs" (3,500 words)
"Social Media Marketing Tools Guide" (4,000 words)
"Best Analytics and Reporting Tools" (3,000 words)

Time per pillar: 8-16 hours (research + writing)

Step 8: Write supporting content

Supporting posts = detailed articles on specific aspects

Examples:

"Mailchimp vs. ConvertKit: Which is Better?"
"How to Set Up Email Automation in 10 Minutes"
"Top 10 Instagram Scheduling Tools"
"Google Analytics 4 Tutorial for Beginners"

Time per post: 2-4 hours Target: 2-3 posts per week

Step 9: Content quality checklist

Keyword optimized (primary keyword in title, headers, content)
800+ words minimum (preferably 1,500+)
Original images/screenshots
Internal links to related posts
External links to authoritative sources
Clear headings structure (H2, H3)
Meta description written
FAQ section (if applicable)
CTA (call-to-action) included

Phase 4: Traffic Building (Months 2-6)

Step 10: On-page SEO

Optimize all content for target keywords
Internal linking between related posts
Fix technical SEO (speed, mobile, structure)
Add schema markup
Create XML sitemap

Step 11: Link building

White-hat link building strategies:

1. Guest posting (most effective)

Write for other blogs in niche
Include link back to your site
Target: 2-5 guest posts per month

2. Resource page links

Find "best tools" or "resources" pages
Reach out to suggest your site
Target: 5-10 outreach per week

3. Broken link building

Find broken links on other sites
Offer your content as replacement
Target: 5-10 outreach per week

4. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

Respond to journalist requests
Get quoted with backlink
Target: 2-5 responses per week

5. Forum and community participation

Reddit, Quora, niche forums
Provide value, link where relevant
Ongoing activity

Target backlinks:

Months 1-3: 5-10 backlinks
Months 4-6: 15-30 backlinks
Months 7-12: 30-60 backlinks

Step 12: Social media

Create profiles (Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram)
Share new content
Engage with community
Build following

Time investment: 2-5 hours/week

Phase 5: Monetization (Months 3-6)

Step 13: Implement revenue streams

Google AdSense:

Apply once you have 20+ posts and steady traffic
Add ad units to site
Expect $0.50-5 per 1,000 pageviews

Affiliate marketing:

Join relevant affiliate programs
Add affiliate links to content
Disclose affiliate relationships
Expect 1-5% conversion rate

Sponsored posts:

Reach out to companies in niche
Offer sponsored post placement
Charge $100-1,000 per post (based on traffic)

Email marketing:

Build email list from day one
Email course or lead magnet
Promote affiliate offers
Expect $0.50-5 per subscriber per month

Step 14: Optimize conversions

A/B test call-to-actions
Improve email capture rate
Test affiliate placement
Optimize user flow

Phase 6: Scale and Exit (Months 6-12+)

Step 15: Grow traffic and revenue

More content (maintain publishing schedule)
More backlinks (ongoing outreach)
Diversify traffic (Pinterest, YouTube, social)
Add revenue streams (products, services, more affiliates)

Step 16: Prepare for sale (if exiting)

Document all revenue streams
Provide Google Analytics access
Create operations manual
Transfer affiliate accounts
Build value proof

Step 17: List for sale

Choose marketplace (Flippa, Empire Flippers, FE International)
Set asking price (20-40x monthly revenue)
Provide due diligence materials
Negotiate with buyers

Outsourcing vs. DIY

What to DIY

If you have the skills, do yourself:

Content writing (if you're good writer)
Keyword research
Basic WordPress setup
Content editing
Social media management
Email marketing

Why DIY:

Saves money
Full control
Learn valuable skills
Faster decisions
No communication overhead

Time investment: 20-40 hours/week for serious development

What to Outsource

Consider outsourcing:

Content writing (if not your strength)
Graphic design
Web development
Link building outreach
Video editing
Technical SEO

Where to find help:

Content writing:

Upwork: $20-100/article
Fiverr: $5-50/article (quality varies)
Textbroker, WriterAccess: $30-150/article
Specialized writers: $100-300/article

Design:

Canva: DIY tool, free-$13/month
Fiverr: $5-100 per design
99designs: $200-1,000+ for logo/branding

Development:

Fiverr: $50-500 for basic sites
Upwork: $25-150/hour for developers
Toptal: $60-200+/hour for premium developers

Link building:

Virtual assistants: $5-15/hour for outreach
Link building agencies: $500-2,000/month
Freelance SEO: $50-150/hour

Budget allocation example ($2,000 development budget):

Content writing: $800 (20 articles × $40)
Design: $200 (logo + graphics)
Development: $500 (WordPress customization)
Link building: $300 (outreach VA)
Tools/hosting: $200
Total: $2,000

ROI calculation: If site generates $1,000/month after 6 months:

Investment: $2,000
Monthly revenue: $1,000
Payback period: 2 months
After 12 months: $10,000 revenue - $2,000 investment = $8,000 profit
ROI: 400%

When Development Makes Sense

Develop When:

1. Domain has obvious business model

Clear monetization path
Proven market demand
You have relevant skills
Reasonable competition

Example: EmailMarketingTools.com

Obvious: Review email marketing tools, affiliate links
Clear path to revenue

2. Market research validates opportunity

Keyword research shows search volume
Competitors exist and making money
Gap in market you can fill
Growing industry

3. You have time and resources

Can dedicate 10-20+ hours/week
Have $500-5,000 budget
6-12 month timeline acceptable
Alternative: Can hire help

4. Development ROI exceeds holding cost

Math:

Domain worth $5,000 undeveloped
Development cost: $2,000 + 100 hours
Developed value: $20,000 or $1,000/month revenue
ROI: 3x on sale, or ongoing income

5. You're building for long-term

Want actual business, not just domain flip
Passionate about niche
See 3-5 year opportunity
Building portfolio of sites

Don't Develop When:

1. Domain worth more undeveloped

Premium short domain (App.com, AI.com)
Exact match, high-value keyword
Development won't increase value significantly
Better to sell undeveloped

2. No clear monetization

Can't identify revenue model
Market too small
Competition too fierce
Cost to acquire traffic too high

3. Lack time or resources

Can't dedicate time needed
Don't have budget
Unwilling to learn or hire
Other priorities

4. Domain not suitable for development

Brandable without business idea
Legal/trademark issues
Negative connotations
Technical barriers

5. Better opportunities elsewhere

Other domains with higher potential
Capital better invested in acquisitions
Time better spent on existing sites
Market timing wrong

Exit Strategies for Developed Domains

Strategy 1: Sell the Complete Business

Best for: Sites with $500+/month revenue

Where to sell:

Flippa (easiest but lowest multiples)

Typical multiple: 15-25x monthly revenue
Fees: 10% success fee
Timeline: 30-90 days
Best for: Sites earning $100-5,000/month

Empire Flippers (vetted buyers, better multiples)

Typical multiple: 25-35x monthly revenue
Minimum listing: Usually $50,000+
Fees: 15% success fee
Timeline: 60-90 days
Best for: Sites earning $2,000+/month

FE International (premium sales, highest multiples)

Typical multiple: 30-50x monthly revenue
Minimum listing: $100,000+
Fees: 10-15% success fee
Timeline: 90-180 days
Best for: Sites earning $5,000+/month

Example sale:

Site: MarketingTools.com
Monthly revenue: $3,000
Asking price: $90,000 (30x multiple)
Sale price: $85,000
Empire Flippers fee: $12,750 (15%)
Net proceeds: $72,250

Initial domain cost: $5,000 Development cost: $3,000 Total investment: $8,000 Return: $64,250 profit or 803% ROI

Strategy 2: Sell Domain + Business Separately

Approach:

Sell business/content to one buyer
Keep domain, sell to different buyer
Or vice versa

Example:

Sell business operations for $40,000
Keep domain
Sell domain later for $20,000
Total: $60,000 vs. $50,000 together

When this works:

Domain valuable independently
Business can operate on different domain
Maximize total return
Flexibility in sale timing

Strategy 3: Licensing/Leasing

Instead of selling, lease the domain:

Monthly fee ($500-5,000/month for premium domains)
Retain ownership
Ongoing income
Reclaim if they default

Plus business:

License content and site
Franchise model
Ongoing royalties
Keep control

Example:

Domain: DenverElectricians.com
Lease to electrician company: $1,000/month
License directory content: $500/month
Total: $1,500/month = $18,000/year
Retain ownership, ongoing income

Strategy 4: Hold for Ongoing Income

Don't sell - keep earning:

Monthly revenue: $2,000
Annual revenue: $24,000
5-year earnings: $120,000
Plus domain appreciation

vs. selling:

Sale price: $60,000 (30x monthly)
One-time payment
Lose future earnings
Lose domain

When to hold:

Revenue growing
Passive/semi-passive income
Don't need capital now
Long-term wealth building

When to sell:

Revenue declining
Need capital for other opportunities
Trend fading
Want to cash out

Conclusion: Development as Value Creation

Domain development transforms domains from speculative assets into revenue-generating businesses. Whether you build simple content sites or full-scale companies, development can multiply domain values 2x-100x.

Key decisions:

Which domains to develop?

Clear business model
Market demand validated
You have time and resources
ROI exceeds alternatives

What level of development?

Level 1-2: Quick value add for resale
Level 3: Authority site for ongoing income or higher resale
Level 4-5: Real business for significant income/exit

DIY or outsource?

DIY if you have skills and time
Outsource if you have budget but limited time
Hybrid: You manage, outsource execution

Hold or sell?

Sell if lump sum needed or market timing right
Hold if revenue growing and passive income desired

Action plan to start:

Choose one domain from portfolio with development potential
Validate market (keyword research, competition analysis)
Plan development (content calendar, budget, timeline)
Start building (begin with 10-20 articles)
Launch and iterate (publish, promote, optimize)
Monetize (ads, affiliate, products)
Decide exit (sell, hold, scale)

Development isn't right for every domain, but for those with real business potential, it can transform a $5,000 domain into a $50,000+ asset or build lasting income stream worth far more.

The question isn't whether to develop domains - it's which domains deserve development and how much to invest. Start small, prove the model, then scale up as you see results.