Generic Domain Names.

A Generic Domain name features a word or words that can not usually be trademarked on their own. These names are typically products or services but can also be categories, processes, phrases, job titles, places and dictionary words.

 

They can have any extension, however, .com and .co.uk are typically the most valuable and widely used. Examples include: Cruises.co.uk, Mallorca.co.uk, Phones.com, Trainers.co.uk, Groceries.co.uk, Wine.com and Diy.com.

 

These names have not had a common label until recently, being variously and inconsistently referred to as 'Premium Domain Names' and 'Direct Navigation Domain Names'. The period of the .com boom and bust and the label of 'cyber squatting' have hidden the emerging opportunities that are 'Generic Domain Names'.

 

Trademarked Names.
These are names that are brands, trademarks, company names etc. that are owned by people and businesses. These names do not usually have a value other than to the owner of the trademark or brand.

 

If a third party owns a trademarked domain name that does not belong to them, then this is frowned upon and commonly known as cyber squatting. Do not be tempted to own or purchase names like this; stick instead to generic or brandable names.

Examples include: Dell.com, Microsoft.com and Mcdonalds.co.uk

 

Brandable or Nonsense Names.
These are names that do not usually have an inherent meaning or obvious use on their own and are usually combinations of words. Due to the enormous number of combinations available, these names do not typically have much or any value on their own.

 

If you are starting a business then you can usually register a brandable .com or .co.uk name without having to pay a premium to a third party. When a brandable name is taken and used by a company it will then belong in the Trademarked name category.

Examples include: ABCRoofing.com, AAwindscreens.co.uk, b0y.co.uk