The Evolution of Domain Parking and Mini Sites
Domain parking and web development has come a long way over the years. From generic messages to full blown automated websites. This is the chronicle of the evolution of domain parking. Domainers are shying from traditional pay-per-click landing pages and opting for professional development and innovative software. See how far domain parking has come and get some insight on what’s next.
Generic Under Construction Page
Coming Soon! This Site Under Construction
Domain name and website owners generally had a message like this displayed to let random visitors know they should bookmark and come back soon. This is still used for some projects today, but rarely for any length of time. You may also see a newsletter subscription.
“This Domain is For Sale” Landing Page
This Domain Is For Sale
We’ve all seen them, a simple text message and email link letting you know this domain name is for sale. The original domainers first form of domain sales advertising. This may still be effective today, but less so because most domainers go straight for WHOIS data and then maybe directly to a site.
Sample Reserved Domain Page (GoDaddy)
This Domain Has Been Reserved
Domain registrars caught on to all the massively untapped traffic resource of their customers unused domains. Now you see them quite often, “This Domain Parked Free at GoDaddy.” Some may consider profiting from your customers domains to be a devious practice, but the owner simply needs to take control and direct the nameservers.
Example Pay-Per-Click Page (Parked)
Pay Per Click Sponsored Links
With the launch of Google AdSense and other advertising networks, domain owners became “publishers” by displaying relevant paid sponsors on their unused domain names. There has been some controversy concerning the value of these advertising spots on domain names, and recent reports that revenue from PPC domain parking is declining greatly.
Custom Mini-site by AEIOU
Custom Content Mini-Sites
Many new website services allow you to add unique content to your “parked” pages. This is intended to provide SEO value and the ultimate goal is to get your parked domains listed on search engines which was previously unheard of. Others buy articles or hire freelance writers to dish out unique content.
Full Featured RSS Powered Content
RSS Feeds Automated Content
With the advent of RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication), content from all over the web can be embedded and updated automatically on any website. Using simple scripts and software domain owners are able to display relevant news and articles which could lead to more traffic.
The Future is Bright…
The future of domain parking is blurring the line between a simple landing page and a full blown website. It will not be long before a domain owner can instantly create fully developed websites with automated content, user interaction, automated product affiliates, photo galleries, videos, article archives and more.
In some cases this is already happening. Soon on DotSauce you will read about a company whose product allows you to do just that. Stay tuned to be a part of the next step in the evolution of domain parking.
Update: The wait is over! Parking Revolution has just been announced.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:32 am
That was fun. Nice presentation of the evolution. We’ve come a long way, and YES the future IS BRIGHT!
November 17th, 2008 at 2:35 am
How long before this new future product comes out?
Which company is going to develop this new future product?
Which websites are currently using this type of product?
November 17th, 2008 at 6:59 am
that is the best post thumbnail ever!!!!!!!!!!
November 17th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Do you mean http://www.whypark.com or http://www.ppc-sites.com ?
Actually, I’m using the new platform of ppc-sites.com (comes with full cuntent management system) and it is great product and fits my needs as domainer.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I think mini-sites are the correct way to develop our business without spending too much cash you can own some nice looking sites which can help to increase revenue if you already have traffic and compliment dont fill the site with Adwords otherwise people shall just ignore you site and search for another term.
Thanks for showing us the change!
Regards,
Robbie
Founder
RegFeeNames.com
November 17th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I certainly think the gray area between traditional static parking and full-blown development is the fastest growing segment for domainers.
I refer to it as “micro” development, and, if done properly, has limitless potential.
Great article Mark…thanks!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Mini-sites don’t perform in natural search as a whole, especially for competitive terms (unless there is an exact domain phrase or word match - it may work, but won;t compete with a larger site). Even Google defines a “small” site in their Starter Guide as having a minimum of *250* pages.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
That’s interesting where this is headed. I was never a huge fan of “This site is under construction.”
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 am
My few parked domains did not generate much revenue so I also think mini-sites are better. Besides, it gives me more control over the content and can even have other monetization aside from PPC ads.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Very goof presentation of Domain PArking Evolution.. I was able to understand this matter..
November 29th, 2008 at 4:27 am
I gave up on parked domains a couple years ago. A couple hundred sites brought in practically nothing. Spent a couple long weekends and set up mini-sites and get about $500/month
November 29th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Very cool presentation of Domain parking evolutiom. Great Idea
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
The Domain parking concept was explained in a much better way than what is generally available on the net. I read somewhere few months back that few companies are now taking this to further level and don’t remember their names right now. Hopefully you will be coming up with further details for the said features.
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
i really liked your presentation :D… i’ll visit your blog more often ;)
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
This is interesting and sad to see how much we have yet to cover in the difficult task of developing domains. That being said, by the end of December the team and I are going to launch somewhat of a “revolution” for developing domain names. I think you might have to do a second part to this article and feature our solution.
Dan
dDevelop.com
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Nice post. With this many comments, popular too. Looking forward to future information on this topic.
For anyone else reading, has anyone had a good experience with whypark.com. I tried this and the content just looks static. I don’t think I’d venture back to any of the sites that were created for my domains, but maybe it was my domains that sucked. Don’t know.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Well, what happend to the good old 404? And what about IE’s redirection to MSN Live?
I know, its above the heads of the domain owners, but as of a users point of view, still a part of the evolution.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I have seen website like http://www.profermics.com coming on scene to grab this opportunity. They happily make full blown website in $39 for your spare domains . Sounds cheap deal to me if you get quality service
December 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Ahh.. been looking for good views about minisites, I found only a few helpful and free info such as this one.. Thanks for sharing us this info, Creating good landing pages is one of the biggest challenges that I’ve encountered… I don’t want to just create some junk pages ’cause I want to maximize my profits and finding good info like this really means a lot..
Thanks a bunch, will also add this to our web copy resource list..
Kudos!
December 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The next stage is mini-sites with regular, unique content.
Trouble with syndicated news feeds is that fewer and fewer sites are getting anywhere in Google SERPS so long as they feature regurgitated material. Only the first to the table gets the gravy.
Smart domainers are using companies like Newsvend.com to generate intelligent, well written, unique and regular news to really push them up the listings.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:50 am
I’ve tried domain embarking. What they don’t tell you is that you still have to get the traffic to the site. I seems like if I’m going to go to all the trouble to get traffic to my site, I may as well put some great, non-automated content on there. I’d be interest to see your product. I can usually tell when a site is mashing up a bunch of random content.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I agree, thats how other site owners and webmasters trying to reserved some of their extra domains for future business purposes.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
[…] mentioned in my last editorial, “The Evolution of Domain Parking and Mini Sites” that domain parking will gradually transition to feature rich mini-site development. Google […]
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:00 am
I have tried to embrace the mini-site theme and develop a network of Geo sites, namely http://missouri.me , http://indianapolis.me, and http://stlouis.me . The results for even a mini site have been much better than parking. Although for some of my type in traffic on other names the results have been more positive for parking. So each site is a business decision unto itself.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:00 am
an parking. Although for some of my type in traffic on other names the results have been more positive for parking. So each site is a business decision unto itself.