Creative Business Names / Brandable Domain Names
Short Domain Names are amazing as creative business names but, be sure you know the basics.
Let’s look at one of our favorite classes of creative business names, Short Domain Names. Do not be confused, believe what you have read, or have been told by others! A short domain name is a domain that contains four (4) or less characters (detailed definitions found below, this cheat sheet, & for help see: domain consulting). If it has 5 or more characters its likely a “brandable domain name” or falls into one of the other primary categories (keyword, exact match, etc.). This has nothing to do with value, this is classification we are looking right now.
Four character domain names are some of our favorite creative business names and easiest to remember websites.
To be more specific let’s talk about the ones with all fours characters represented by letters (also known as LLLL.com ). Short domains are not only short in character length, they short in total #s well . LLLL.com represent less than 1/2 million in total domains – only so many combinations of four letters are possible. Short Domain Names are actively traded and are treated
as a special class of domains. The 4L domain offers amazing brand and investment opportunities while significantly more affordable than 3L names.
Short domain names are among some of the most brandable domain names in the market – without crossing into six figure territory.
As we stress to our clients; because it’s four characters it has a”value” but make sure you understand what elements or “data points” are required to be classified as a true Premium
LLLL.com, Not all LLLL domains are equal, understand the value keys.
(*note to domain investors, CHIPS are not being addressed in-depth (in this post) as we focus Brandables for the Western Markets. Didn’t want you to think we forgot about them)
Elements of Short Domain Names + Definition of Terms:
In LLLL.com: L = any letter, consonant or vowel in English. The L which simply represents letters. L will need to be further broken out into sub-groups like consonant or vowel (now known as C or V).
Now that four letter domains are noted by the consonant(C) or vowel(V) representation of the letters. ABCD would be a VCCC.com. AABB would be a VVCC.com, and so on. Hope that made sense, If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Some times things are better explained talking rather than reading.
Here are some interesting & unique sub-categories of short domain names. Please keep in mind that while some of these features will increase the cash value of a four letter .com, it may not offer brand ability – for you. On the same note, brand-able domains are not necessarily (although often times are once developed) investment grade.
Always consider: Is it Brandable?
For example CARS.com is very brandable – 4 random letters may not be, even if the Cs and Vs line up correctly – this sentence will make more sense as you continue.
Here are typical short domain name make ups that are considered “rare”.
Palindromes – ABBA for example (the name BOB is another, it is the same front or backwards)
AABB & ABAB – 2 letters total (e.g JJGG, ITIT, etc.)
AAAB – triple matching letters
BBBB – Do they exist?
There is too much to break down all the in and outs of Short Domain Names valuation, so let’s stay with brand-able 4Ls. Many times a “Pronounceable” LLLL is a powerful brand and website upgrade, for the obvious reasons. Beyond ones highlighted above you will often find pronounceable 4Ls valued, at least in part, by the following V+C structures of the domain. (note the letters are not specified V=any vowel C=any consistent)
VCVC = Vowel-Consonant-Vowel-Consonant pattern and historically among the most pronounceable and valued.
CVCV = a Consonant-Vowel-Consonant-Vowel letter pattern, like above, some of the most pronounceable and valable.
CVVC = Consonant-Vowel-Vowel-Consonant pattern
VCCV = Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel pattern
You may see Numbers (N) or dashes in Short Domain Names available, but we advise to avoid those unless you are experienced or have a unique need.
Try not to forget we are looking for a Brand – don’t get hung up of the extreme details you will find the “pure investors” discussing. Pay attention, absolutely, but remember you are looking for a Brand and that is a different goal than an investment. Google.com would not be one of the most valuable domain names in the world, if the the company choose (our site) BrandPlease.com. Just an example to keep the Branding “mind-frame” when the avalanche of domain value misinformation you cant avoid.
FYI, Google, if you love our brand & domain so much you want to change your name. We happy to talk HAHAHA!
You are bound to see discussions down to what actual letters increase or lower the short domain names value. Here is a quick breakdown so it is not something new to you:
Short domain name premium letters – A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T & Q,X,Z are the poorest.
These letters in the multitude of combinations are even broken out into even more subcategories. Getting into that level of detail is too much for most and is very specific to investor tastes. Brand-able short domain names don’t always play by the rules – that is true of brand-ables in general.
Contact us for help and we will be able to provide any level of additional detail you may need. See our available Short Domain Names
