Verisign Tag Cloud Tool

Ever rush to the domain search screen at your favorite registrar only to wonder just how many of your fellow domainers are jumping on the same keyword bandwagon? Verisign is helping domainers think out of the type in domain name search box and drop list.  This is also a valuable reminder of key word and tags to be used as density and subject reference for SEO and content building brainstorming. The domain tag cloud is in beta, but one look instantly tells the story. Not only can portfolio domainers see what names are trending for auction consideration and flipping purposes, but they can see what niches might be walking out of the everyday into the special. Common keywords, like “gold” or “shop” or “play” can mix with whatever the day’s mix in blogs, news, search engine trending and type in domain searches yields. A very visual, instant thinking cap with big eyeball appeal. Bravo, Verisign.

 

Verisign Raising Rates

Causing a ruffle in the domainer feathers this week was the news that Verisign was originating an across the board name registration/renewal hike. This price increase comes not at a bad time in the economy, but at a questionable time for lower end domainers struggling to retain the bulk of the names in their portfolios.

Verisign resellers (known or unknown registry holders) and tier priced administrators of select name and TLD portfolio based holdings are concerned. Industry watchers speculate that intrinsic and value based domain registration prices may eventuate. Will other resellers be affected? How will price controls for domains fluctuate in future?

Domainers are considering how the pricing will affect the domaining market as a whole. Challenges to the Verisign price monopoly are rife. Reaction to the news ranges from letting domains drop to bulk renewal before the price goes up officially. Critics demand justification for this rise in price, virtual expenses being what they are.

Goose?… Golden Egg? …Bueller?