NKY web entrepreneur turns generic domain research into online branding business

Niko Younts has spent years researching the value of generic domain names — like candy.com or shoes.com — and the value they can bring to businesses. During that time he’s bought, sold, and advised large companies on how to best use generic domains. He’s turned that experience into a business, NorthernKentuckyMedia.com, aimed at branding numerous northern Kentucky professions and making them easier for potential customers and clients to find and connect. “Generic domain names have inherent value, and most  dot-com domains carry a liquid cash value. They have been sold for four and five figures to publicly traded companies, papers and TV stations,” said Younts, who operates the business from his home in Villa Hills.  Younts, a Cincinnati area native, has a background in marketing and consulting. He moved from Cincinnati for about seven years, but returned to launch this business a year ago. He’s funding the startup with money from earlier domain name sales and consulting. His company also offers web site design and hosting, logo design and internet marketing. He works with contractors in several countries to develop the technical end of the developing the web sites.  “We develop websites around the generic brands, and have internet marketing experts,” Younts said. Younts currently is developing NKY411.com, a digital search network of Northern Kentucky domain names, including NorthernKentuckyHotels.com, NorthernKentuckyFlorists.com, NorthernKentuckyAttorney.com and more than 100 others. Younts’ plan is for each domain to contain local business listings, similar to a digital phone book. Listings will be free for a year, then Younts plans to charge for listings, as well as advertising to finance his company. Other future plans include an expansion of his current work into digital video and e-commerce domain and marketing work. Writer: Feoshia Henderson Source: Niko Younts, founder NorthernKentuckyMedia.com