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 generic dot-com domains carry a liquid cash value. They have 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 business degree and five years of Internet marketing and consulting experience. 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. While the majority of the work is done in-house, he also works with trusted web contractors/experts in several countries to support his efforts.
"We are investing in generic ".com" domain names and building them into local, respected, and viable Internet brands," Younts said
Younts currently is developing NorthernKentucky411.com, a digital search network of Northern Kentucky domain names, including NorthernKentuckyHotels.com, NorthernKentuckyFlorists.com, NorthernKentuckyAttorneys.com and more than 500 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
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