Search Engine Positions

[Fonedevil]

Do you guys think that the position of a domain name in search engines, when searching for relevant keywords like 'online poker tournaments' etc, adds value to the domain when it comes to selling?

[lots0]

Yes it does.

[Fonedevil]

Yes it does.

Could you qualify your answer please Lots0.

Why would it matter when only the domain is being sold?
Having the domain on a different site would surely mean
that search engine position would almost automatically be
lost.

I am asking this question as I own www.tourneyslots.com
the domain simply points at a website but is ranked
number one on google and yahoo (UK) and top 10 on .com
for searches on tournament slots and tourney slots, I have
argued with a potential buyer of these domains that they
are worth more due to their search engine position but the
buyer came up with the argument I give above.

The potential buyer has offered a good amount but I feel they
are worth more.

[GaryWatson]

A lot of it is dependant on how often the term "Tourney slots" is searched for

[lots0]

Why would it matter when only the domain is being sold?

Because of the links pointing to the domain that make it rank. (Also called "link juice")

Then there is the Google "Trust Rank" and "Page Rank" that have been built up for the domain. This is what most smart SEO's are looking for when they buy a domain.

When you sell the domain, the inbound links go with the domain, at least until someone changes them and that can be quite a while. The Google Page Rank and the Trust Rank (site reputation) also go with the domain.

On the negative side, when you buy a domain you better make sure no one has used it to spam with or has used any SEO methods that the search engines frown on... because that follows the domain(site) as well.

BTW

for [tournament slots] in the states on google your on page 2, not in the top ten. (if you were to reverse the order of the keywords [slots tournament] and have the same or better ranking then you would have something...)

For [tourney slots] your ranked #1, but that really does not make any difference because no one searches for [tourney slots], again if you were to reverse the order of the keywords [slots tourney] you would be better off.

Being on the first page for a search query that no one searches for is a waste.


Added

Having the domain on a different site would surely mean
that search engine position would almost automatically be
lost.

If that were true then any time a site(domain) moved or changed servers it would lose all it search rankings... And that just ain't so.

That is a promising domain name... If you PM me the price you have been offered, I may be able to put in my own bid.

[Fonedevil]

Thats very informative Lots0, thanks.

I do get a few people arriving on site who have searched 'tourney slots'
but most arrive after searching 'tournament slots'. On Google in US
they must search through to the second page, which is good to know.
As you say most people would not search for 'tourney slots' at all.

[lots0]

No problem, but do shoot me a PM, I would like a chance to bid...

As you say most people would not search for 'tourney slots' at all.

Sorry, I get in the habit of saying no one searches for the keyword if I see less than 500 searches a day for it.

[Fonedevil]

Hi Lots0, your pm box is full so I'll post here.
Please make a bid if you'd like and send me a pm.

Fonedevil