Registrar is launching tool to make finding location-based domain names easier.
[Update: the tool is now live] Domain name registrar GoDaddy is launching a GeoDomain research tool to help domainers find local domains, such as cityHotels.com. The tool will be launched no later than Monday.
Users enter a location (such as a city or state) and can also add keywords, such as “hotel”. The tool then loads a map of the area with pinpoints on each location, which represent available domains or domains on GoDaddy’s aftermarket. Users can zoom in or out to get additional level of detail.
For example, if you search for “Texas” and “Hotels”, it would pull up HoustonHotels.com, DallasHotels.com, etc. (Of course, these domains are taken and wouldn’t show up.)
To register the domains, you just click on the pins and register the domains through GoDaddy.
When the system is live, the tool will be available at geo.godaddy.com and GeoDomainMap.com.
jp says
I’m soooo annoyed. I had this nearly exact idea a year ago, even spent $1k on the domain I bought to use for it. I still have the domain if anybody wants to join me and compete with godaddy on this. I think it can still be done. Email me I you are interested.
This is what happens when I work on too many things a the same time.
M. Menius says
Actually, that’s my idea! I implemented the GeoDomain search tool on my site earlier this year. Well, without the map part. π
jp says
Putting the domains on the map was the key, but great minds think alike.
Rob Sequin says
Interesting concept. Let’s see how they roll it out. Hopefully it will be a bit more user friendly than their TDNAM.
PS Andrew, I hit print for this page and got nine pages printed out. Maybe just my printer but you might want to think about a printer friendly button.
Domain Investor says
“Actually, thatβs my idea!”
I thought up this idea 4 yrs ago and registered a domain to use.
Just kidding.
π
Steve M says
This is a great idea; no matter who was first π (isn’t this one of the ones Al Gore came up with?)
Meaning we’ll likely be seeing another GoDaddy patent application being published down the road…
Tim Davids says
A great idea but prolly years too late.
Domain Superstar says
Hmmm, this is very interesting because it appears to be the exact same tool that we had created and put online months ago: http://www.domainsuperstar.com/domain-finder-tools/geo-domain-finder π
Andrew Allemann says
@ Domain Superstar – unfortunately for you, GoDaddy will now be offering a similar tool for free π
Domain Superstar says
@ Andrew Allemann
Unfortunately for you – our tool is and always has been free π
You can use it right now by visiting: http://www.domainsuperstar.com/dashboard.php?tool=geo
Domain Superstar premium members do unlock additional premium features with the tool and all of our other tools though but the basic version of the tool is free to use.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Domain Superstar – adding the keywords is what makes the tool valuable. But look on the bright side…you’ve been able to attract attention to your toolset.
Domain Superstar says
@ Andrew Alleman
We have always offered the ability to both append and prepend keywords. My point is that it seems like GoDaddy is copying a tool that we have had online for months.
jp says
@Domain Superstar,
It seems they may be. I wonder if it is too late for you to file for the patent.
I’ve got a good domain for this type of service if you want it too. Email me if you are interested enough to know what it is.
Contact info is on our site.
Steve M says
Domain Superstar–it’s only too late to file for a patent (in the US; it is too late for anywhere else in the world) if you’ve had this “method/process” publicly available for more than 1 year from when you file for a patent.
Would be wise to run, not walk, to a good patent attorney in your city/area and discus it with him/her.
The odds are great that GoDaddy has filed a patent app on this. But, if you were first you may/will be able to block them from getting a patent.
But you need to hurry.
ps As I’m not an attorney, this is not legal advice.
Andrew Allemann says
I doubt this would be patentable…
removed says
comment removed – impersonating other person
Andrew Allemann says
The tool went live today at geo.godaddy.com
jp says
Ok, I’ll throw it out there because I’m curious what everybody thinks, the domain I had bought with the intention of inventing this exact service was GeoBid.com
Sorry, I didn’t know that DomainSuperstar had the same idea too. To my defense I think I bought this domain before DomainSuperstar launched the service.
Happy Camper says
Everyting GoDaddy does is to their advantage. They will be mining the data, beware.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Happy Camper – of course it’s to their advantage. What company does something not to their advantage? Their goal here is simple; drive more registrations at GoDaddy.