Case Study: Iran.com
April 27, 2008 by Rick Latona
A year or so ago I picked up the domain Iran.com. The name gets 2000-5000 unique visitors a day. Revenue can be as low as 50 dollars but often spikes above 250 dollars a day, depending on how much the country is in the news. It’s in the news a lot.
That however, wasn’t my only logic employed. The ancient empire of Persia is a fascanating place. One of the oldest civilizations on earth, it has a tremendous amount of culture.
Three coastlines and two mountain ranges are in this largest of the middle eastern countries. The more than 70 million people there aren’t Arabic at all. They speak Farsi and have a Persian decent. They are an unique and intelligent people.
Let’s not forget the oil! There’s gold in them ‘dar hills.
(image pulled from Wikipedia)
Sure the government is completely wacked. They want to instal a caliph and kill all the evil-doers, but who doesn’t? I’m joking there so hold back your flaming. If I didn’t love my life so much I’d fly a plane right into a meeting of the Mullahs but that’s not an option.
To the point, I’ve tried many different things with this name. At one point it was a collection of RSS feeds from various news sources but that didn’t work out so well. It’s currently parked. My new thinking is that I’m going to develop it as a full-blown tourist and business destination site like I’d do with any other GEO domain. My thinking is that I’m going to give the country the respect that it deserves. I’m not sure how many advertisers I’ll get but we’ll find out.
I’m soliciting ideas though. I’m willing to try just about anything to make this a big site. I still believe in the name.
How about a Flock of Seagulls fan site?
“…And I ran, I ran so far away.
I just ran, I ran all night and day.
I couldnt get away.”
Elliot made a funny
[...] Rick Latona tells us the history of his domain Iran.com: “My new thinking is that I’m going to develop it as a full-blown tourist and business destination site like I’d do with any other GEO domain. My thinking is that I’m going to give the country the respect that it deserves.“ [...]
Decent revenue, parking probably is the best option here.
Would be hard to build as I imagine it’s not that much of a tourist attraction now.
Michael, it made it to the first page of Google’s results when it was developed. Now it’s off the list completely. I’d really only need a dozen advertisers to make the same revenue.
How about a history lesson so people know how the US screwed up Iran?
It was definately one of many dark hours for our CIA
Well!
Try partnering with CNN/BBC or other global media giants controlled by the western companies into developing the domain with a local touch.
Another point i would like to make is that the site should be visible in Farsi and English languages as it will attract the local as well as global visitors.
BTW, there are several Iran citizens spread across the world who are probably looking for local happenings in Iran.
I wish you make loads of profits with this domain and at the same time give its visitors an excellent developed site.
I know it may sounds a little hard, but you should tie up with some huge Iranian company, and let them use this domain for 5 million a year and have the contract done for 10 years. Something like what Communinicate Inc done with Cricket.com
Or develop them into something like the palmsprings site, and easily make 5 - 6 figures a month from direct advertising.
Best of luck.
Assuming that you’re not going to run a Farsi site, if you want a dispassionate assessment of where the largest potential English-speaking demographic is … set up a site where you forget about respect and sink the boot in. Either way, you’re sure to be hacked by one side or the other. Surprised that your parking pages haven’t been hacked.
Give the public what it expects and they will come. PPC is just another extention of search. When you develop you are creating a network for yourself and national advertisers like both networks and eyeballs. Control the gateway. You are making the right move Rick.
Rick, I usually do not comment on blogs but as a subscriber to your daily email and a fan, I think I owe you at least this much.
What would you do if you were the president of Iran?
What would you do if you truly love Iran but hate evil?
Build a formidable site Iranians can be proud of. Don’t look at it with a westerners eye but from the eye of the Iranians of tommorrow. If you site is powefull enough so that it is somewhat like a portal for Iranians, the goverment of Iran will take interest and they may just buy your portal for a days revenue from oil.
idealer, you are talking my language. Thanks.
Michael, thanks for the endorsement.
Coincidentally, Idealer & Michael (above) said what I had in mind. Let me add that if you build that site without the usually animosity of the western main stream media toward Iran, you might end up winning a “Nobel Peace Prize” and even be the envy of likes of Al Gore and Jimmy Carter, some day. And you being an American promoting the beauty of Iran? Perhap, the so-called “axis of evil” of Iran would finally stop his rhetoric against the Americans. The ripple effect could save some lives in neighboring Iraq - if you know what I mean. It might sound ridiculous to some. But it is possible. Good luck
Rick and I were talking about developing this name and earn a great deal from it. His idea is nice in that the name can be so popular for Iranians around the world and will gather the together and show that they are modern and friendly people and not like the face their government has made from them! I will help Rick to the end. i will
My new thinking is that I’m going to develop it as a full-blown tourist and business destination site like I’d do with any other GEO domain. My thinking is that I’m going to give the country the respect that it deserves - Rick that is the WAY to go.
Great Post Rick - PERFECT 10+
Talk about a tricky name to own. Do too much with it and you’ll catch hell for “doing business with Iran” (like GE currently is). Make it too “Free Iran” and the mullahs may send someone over to “meet” you at the next traffic conference….
Do the patriotic thing and do not accept a dime from a business in that country. We have trade embargoes with them for a reason and as a US business you are not even allowed to do business with them. You cannot even register a domain with a US registrar if you are an Iranian citazen or business.
Let’s try to remember that they are the sworn enemy of the US and Israel. How about putting up a site that exposes the injustice and human rights violations that go on in that place? How about helping to expose how they mistreat women in their society?
That fact that people suggest partnering with them and accepting ad dollars from them makes me sick.
Rick; may want to have your attorney check w/the US State Dept/ other gov agencies to be sure you don’t run afoul of any “do no business with Iran” laws, rules, etc like that chap who lost his Cuba domains some months back did (if I recall correctly).
Subject to the above; as for the development, I’m with the “make it great for the people of Iran” folks. Their economy is huge; with plenty of business, vacationing, and money-spending visitors from many countries. I’d think that 100k/month net shouldn’t be too tough w/such an approach.
“Make it too “Free Iran” and the mullahs may send someone over to “meet” you at the next traffic conference….”
Yes because that happens every other day.
Sometimes I’m not that smart. I completely forgot about the embargo. Jn and Steve you may be right.
Even though you were a complete prick in your reply to me, when I saught your opinion of the valuation of my a few of my domains - I gotta say, as A REAL PERSIAN, one who’s 12 generation lineage history can be traced back as pure parse and no influence of Arab or Islam in my family - I’m ready to get on that plane and fly it into a mullah meeting with you. Shoot, you book the flight, I’ll pack the sandwiches. There’s nothing I want more than the world to see my people being valued and recongnized for what they truly are - even though after 30 years have past since the last dreadful and regretful revolution - and most Persians have forgot who they are and are bound to some Islamic BS that they would never have accepted 35 years ago - I know we will show the world our real worth.
Considering the power of the Internet, you got a real opportunity with that domain, to do something great, (not just another GEO portal any 12 year could put together in 2 hrs like Germany.com) and maybe even demontrate some subtle “influences” thru the site to curb the general tension and angst between what Persians and American see each other as. Need help, holler!
Don’t Fuck It Up!
Sha’rius
http://www.R9V.com
sha@r9v.com
Hi Rick,
That’s Brilliant idea…Like what Michael Castello stated give what people what they want and they will come…Well put…Rick I have visited Iran in 94 and it is really a beautiful and culturally rich country. My recommendation for you would be to connect with the Iranians (Shias)-and develop the site through their set of eyes (Businesses, Tourism, natural resources, Trading) as well a portal where people can come and learn about iran, and its people. If you need any assistance in getting in touch with Shias let me know…I can help you. I will be keeping my eyes open for the development of Iran.com….Ride the Persian Carpet….
PS -Pomegranate is a native fruit of Iran….hence I have a site called PurePomegranateJuice.com and all the science that’s coming out about its amazing antioxidant benefits…an Incredible Fruit and Amazing Juice….
Sincerly,
Salman (Farsi Name).
Gosch , Rick , you are so lucky!
I wish i had that domain.
I have a couple travel and tourism related website focusing on Iran (www.PersiaTours.com and http://www.IranTravelingCenter.com). I would be more than happy to help you put together a great Tour and Travel website on your domain, which on one hand create considerable revenue for you, plus that is going to become a palce that people can learn a lot about Iran History, culture, …etc and on the other hand you would use it in a constructive way, rather than simply parkining it.
That is going to be a Win-Win situation for you. Let me know if you are interested . You can reach me at PersianTraveler@gmail.com
Care
Ishmael