7 Rules to Consider, 1 to LIVE BY

Just finished reading Joseph Bridges’ 7 Rules for Buying Real Estate Domain Names post. I have to start out by saying that I completely agree with all seven rules and I find that so many agents violate these rules all too frequently. Particularly rule #4, avoiding using dashes whenever possible.

But, I think I’m going to append a final rule to his set: BE DIFFERENT. The reason for this rule may be obvious. But look at this list of domain names in my area:

• NashvilleBuyers.com
• NashvilleHomeBuyers.com
• NashvilleHouseBuyers.com
• RealEstateNashville.com
• NashvillesRealEstate.com
• NashvilleRealEstate.com
• RealEstateInNashville.com

See a pattern here? There are TONS of web sites out there using combinations of “house”, “home”, “real estate” and “nashville”, in some form or another. How can you STAND OUT when your website is named so GENERICALLY?! In a difficult real estate market, you cannot blend in. That’s a recipe for FAILURE every time.

Here are a few real estate groups that are actually doing something to stand out from the crowd:

• HummerHomes.com – This is a real estate team that has done very well by distinguishing themselves both on the web and off. They drive Hummer H2′s with “HummerHomes.com” all over them. Plus, the name itself stands out enough and has enough ring to it that you remember it very easily.
• UniquelyNashville.com – TJ Anderson has created a terrific web site here and it’s name is unique, literally. It’s one that I personally don’t have trouble remembering for two reasons: It’s REALLY well done and the name is easy to remember.
• MusicCityHomeSearch.com – This one is really a bit too long for my tastes, but it is pretty easy to remember and it works nicely with all of Joseph’s rules.

So, before you start to buy up domain names, and LONG before you start to develop your web sites, get outside the box a little bit. One way to do this is to just get out and drive around or walk around and just look at your surroundings, look at the houses, think about what’s around you. Not in the context of business or real estate or sales. Just in the context of the world that surrounds you. Take a notepad with you and write down what comes to mind when you’re there in the space that makes up your market. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get creative when you’re not trying to be, when you’re just being.

You’ll probably find that if you can be truly creative in your business, it will reward you time and time again.

Cheers,
David

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