Going online with a well-branded website is now only normal. Yet, while choosing the right domain and website design is definitely a must-do, there are other domain-related aspects to consider — notably the following two business processes:

● Domain research: This involves finding everything there is to know about a domain’s owner, from the registrar and registrant contact information to its history and associated domains.

● Domain monitoring: This can either be a manual or automatic process though the latter is more convenient. It entails setting up alerts for changes made to domains that contain keywords which users are monitoring.

A domain research and monitoring platform such as the Domain Research Suite makes these two processes possible and easier for organizations. In this post, we cited five decision-makers who can make the most out of the platform.

5 Decision Makers Who Can Benefit from Domain Research and Monitoring

1. Brand Managers

Trademark infringement is on the rise, with thousands of cases filed each year. Topping the list of ways by which it occurs is through domain name misuse. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) saw a record high of domain name dispute cases in 2019, at 3,693. And during the first two months of 2020, 500 claims have already been filed.

Domain Research Suite can help brand managers avoid and resolve domain-related trademark infringement cases faster. The platform, in particular, enables them to keep track of domain names that use their trademarked name. Also, they can use it to see all possible misspelled variations of their brand names, which can be used by copycats and phishers. Brand managers can then dig further into each domain look-alike and act accordingly.

2. Marketing Professionals

One of the toughest tasks a marketer has to do is understand the market, which includes getting to know target customers and competitors. Market research is the key, and a crucial part of that is domain research and monitoring. Marketers can learn how the market is using a particular keyword in terms of domain names by running it through Brand Monitor.

They can also keep track of competitors by monitoring their names on Registrant Monitor, which is also part of the Domain Research Suite.

3. Domainers

Buying and selling domains is a lucrative business, with some domainers earning seven figures each year. But top-earning domainers don’t just buy any domain they see. They always back their business decisions with substantial domain research. Most often, they have to do domain monitoring for weeks, months, or even years for domain names that they know would sell.

The Domain Research Suite is a complete package for domainers. It enables them to see if a domain name is available with Domain Availability Check and if not, then they can further see its WHOIS record with WHOIS Search. They can also set up email notifications so they can be alerted to changes in the ownership or status of domain names they are interested in with Domain Monitor.

4. E-Commerce Website Owners

Millions of fraudulent transactions are reported around the world every year and most of these result in the loss of account holders’ money. As such, e-commerce companies have a moral obligation to protect their clients from unauthorized and fraudulent transactions. And since most of these happen online, domain data is one vital area to explore in the prevention of this crime.

All IP addresses that request access to an e-commerce site and the associated domains can go through various components of the Domain Research Suite. And if any of them are associated with known threat actors or activity, then access to them and vice versa should be blocked.

5. Law Enforcers and Cybersecurity Investigators

Investigating a cybercrime is very challenging since threat actors often hide behind layers of anonymity. But if an investigator has a name, phone number, company name, email address, or a domain name to work with, that’s already a good starting point.

Any of these details can be investigated further and run through Reverse WHOIS Search, which is also a part of the Domain Research Suite. Domain monitoring of known threat actors can also serve as a way to track their digital footprints.

Final Words

A domain research suite that enables organizations to make well-researched and informed decisions is crucial to their success. One thing that we’ve established is how domain research and monitoring are vital processes, whether for marketing campaigns, brand protection, or cybercrime protection and investigation.

About the Author
 


Jonathan Zhang is the founder and CEO of Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP)—a data, tool, and API provider that specializes in automated threat detection, security analysis, and threat intelligence solutions for Fortune 1000 and cybersecurity companies. TIP is part of the WhoisXML API family, a trusted intelligence vendor by over 50,000 clients.