What makes a bad domain name? Perhaps more importantly what makes a good domain. A could domain should describe its content, it should also be easy to spell and easy to remember. I STRONGLY prefer a .com, if I was in a different country that would likely change a bit.
I mean you are buying a domain to use or to sell. What you like for your site, if its just for you, then it becomes more okay. I bought a name once I didnt love and I was building a website for it. Got so sick of seeing it and never finished it. Now some of the names I have would be tough to sell, like www.dotcomworth.com. It does value well on the sites it shows, and I think it works okay. Domain name appraisal would likely be most searched term, and something like domain name appraisal sites, would likely be the best way to get the results that site give, it may describe content perfectly, domain name appraisal sites, bit long, no zest, you can remember it…but it gets thumbs down.
I see a lot of domains sell for prices I just dont understand. I have a vendor I’ve worked with for many years, they have a 4Letter .com and I never can remember it to me thats a bad domain. I’m not sure if thats their name, or the letters, it has a z in it so it really cuts down on odds. Its always a bit of give and take, you have to give it some thought and self reflection.
Years ago, I was looking for a new coffee shop, that I heard good things about. I looked it up online and saw the name, so I was able to get name and hours and all that. (their products werent listed but thats another topic). I still remember what they had picked for their domain, Huntsville.coffee. Now I wouldnt want to buy that, but it sure makes good sense for them. And just like my vendors 4 letter, its only is that its a 4letter.com Now of course they have been using that name for a long time, so the name is now known, but a new stand alone, it would be a cheap 4letter.
The days of low lying fruit as mostly over. All the new extensions has changed the market even more. The best .coms are now mostly in strong hands. If you are looking for name for a certain area, and the 15 you want are taken, what you get will likely be a “bad domain”. I consider a bad domain one i cant sell, one that doesnt describe its content, long domain. Names like buyinggold is long gone, then terms like webuygold….then it get into names you can use, maybe even brandable, but getting your money back (what many call reg fee names). And of course trademarks are way past bad. Getting into a lawsuit you cant win makes a really bad domain. even if you win and give them the name, read they took it), they can still sue you. It makes no sense to buy one and its legal.
So over the years I’ve seen so really bad names sell for decent money. Seen some decent names that people just couldnt sell. Sadly trying to decide if you are trying to sell a bad name, is just hard to tell. So many of the names that are for sale right now have little value, and likely will never sell. You have to decide what type names work for you and what are you looking for in a domain.