There are a number of tools that I frequently use to evaluate domain sales and acquisitions. Some of them are domain-specific, but others are used to evaluate traffic and revenue potential. Here are some of the websites with tools I use just about every day.

• FreshDrop.net - I use Fresh Drop just about every day to evaluate dropping/expiring domain names on Snapnames and Namejet. There are a whole lot of analytics you can track, including incoming links, domain age, pagerank, number of other extensions registered, and a variety of other options. Members can save filters, allowing them to use the site with more consistency and more quickly.

• DomainTools – DomainTools is probably the “grandfather” of all domain-related tools. I use DomainTools for my Whois lookups, Whois history search, and frequently the Reverse IP search when attempting to buy domain names. I think everyone who is involved in the domain space should have a DomainTools account.

• Google Adwords Keyword Tool – Frequently referred to simply as “GAKT,” this tool is helpful in analyzing keyword search volume as well as the cost advertisers are paying per click. There are many search options here, but I prefer to use the local exact match search.

• Domaining.com – I don’t know if I would really call Domaining.com a tool per se, but it’s a resource I use every day to stay on top of the news in our business.

I noticed something on FreshDrop.net that I can’t recall seeing as prominently in the past on another website I visit. There’s a box in the lower right hand corner of my browser that “What could we change to make you want to continue using us?” and it has a box for customers to provide comments and feedback.

Staying in touch with customers’ needs and suggestions is one of the smartest things a company can do, and it’s even more important for an Internet-based company to reach out, especially when the company doesn’t have sales representatives that deal directly with its customers. There have been plenty of websites I’ve used that don’t have exactly what I need, and if I can find it elsewhere, I just don’t return.

FreshDrop.net is a website I use frequently, and I offered a suggestion to them about adding a newsletter option. It would be great if I could receive an email with the upcoming dropping domain names that I have based on specific filters I set up.  If you have any comments or feedback for the FreshDrop.net team, log in to your account and leave a note.

The company behind the pop-up question is KissInsights, in the event that you don’t have a FreshDrop.net account but do wish to reach out to your customers online. The pop up is a bit intrusive on the lower right, but it will probably ensure your visitors see it and take action.

NameMedia today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with www.freshdrop.net to provide premium domains for purchase through FreshDrop’s Domain Marketplace.

“This is truly a breakthrough in the domain industry. By combining NameMedia’s domain inventory with FreshDrop’s innovative search technology we are now able to empower domain investors, web entities, and online marketers with the ability search cross-marketplace with access to millions of additional premium domain names. NameMedia is a market leader in the domain aftermarket and we are proud to have them as a marketplace partner.” said Tan Tran, President and CEO of FreshDrop.net.

Visitors to the FreshDrop homepage will have the ability to search for NameMedia’s inventory within the BuyDomains tab and the AfternicDLS tab. The BuyDomains tab will include NameMedia’s managed premium domains available for sale while the AfternicDLS tab will include listed domains available for sale through NameMedia’s Domain Listing Service (DLS) platform found at Afternic.com.

AfternicDLS provides domain sellers with the opportunity to list registered domains for sale through its global distribution network, which also includes BuyDomains and a network of leading Registrars and international marketing partners. AfternicDLS has a saleable inventory of more than two million names.

“NameMedia is pleased to partner with FreshDrop. FreshDrop’s innovative approach to domain sales further benefits AfternicDLS members looking to sell names, as well as benefiting FreshDrop’s customer’s base through expanded quality inventory.” said Pete Lamson, senior vice-president and general manager of NameMedia’s domain marketplace.

Individuals interested is purchasing a domain should visit http://www.freshdrop.net. Individuals interested in selling their domains via the FreshDrop Marketplace should visit http://www.AfternicDLS.com.

About NameMedia

NameMedia is a leader in the acquisition, development, and trading of digital real estate through a network of highly targeted Web sites and a marketplace for premium domain names. The company’s Web site development focuses on creating compelling online communities in niche categories. NameMedia’s marketplace allows owners of premium domain names to list their domain properties for sale, and for domain buyers to review the largest available inventory.

Through its ownership of one of the largest domain portfolios in the world, its innovative Web site development platform, and its broad distribution, NameMedia now serves more than 60 million visitors to its network of Web sites and sells domains to customers in more than 100 countries.

NameMedia is headquartered outside Boston, in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.namemedia.com.

About FreshDrop.net

FreshDrop is a leader in the Domain Search arena. The company provides a state of the art platform to help domain purchasers make informed and efficient acquisition decisions.

FreshDrop aggregates domain inventories across major domain aftermarkets and auction houses and provides research analytics on millions of domain names.

FreshDrop is headquartered in Burbank, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.freshdrop.net.