Parking alternative set to launch completely overhauled system.
Domain name parking alternative WhyPark is getting ready to release a complete overhaul of its platform. Based on a sneak peek I got from WhyPark founder Craig Rowe, the new WhyPark may be just what domainers need to counter falling parking revenues.
The basics are still the same: pay a one time fee, point domains to WhyPark’s servers, and then “auto create” web sites based on keywords to attract search engine traffic.
But the new WhyPark adds in many features to improve search engine traction over time and allow you to create true mini-sites. No longer will you just hope for drive-by traffic that won’t return; features such as newsletters will allow you to capture visitors’ e-mails and send them an automated newsletter each month.
WhyPark will include premium features, including web directory submissions, publishing RSS feeds, article writing and syndication, link building, and custom designs. Some features will incur one time fees per domain while others will be monthly subscription fees across the account. There will also be a marketplace to buy WhyPark-hosted sites.
One of the difficulties with automated site development is keeping in the good graces of search engines. Rowe told me that the new platform will ensure duplicate content is limited, and that the goal of WhyPark sites is to create a good user experience for visitors. Based on what I’ve seen, he’s right.
Current customers will be happy with the new platform even if they don’t pay for any upgrades. The new platform is easier to use, will have search engine friendly URLs, and will have faster loading sites that are published mostly as HTML files (so they aren’t generated each time a visitors hits the site). Users will be upgraded automatically when the new platform is released.
WhyPark was founded in March 2006 and currently has 60,000 domains on its platform. About 30% of the traffic to those domains is organic search traffic. The company competes with domain parking services but is ideal for domains that don’t get much type-in traffic.
The new platform should be released later this month.
Below: screenshot of domain manager in new WhyPark platform.
Johnny says
Sounds interesting. It would be nice to see some examples of these new sites.
Has anyone used SiteGrouper.com? It supposedly allows you to create hundreds of sites that are interconnected, but they don’t seem to want to answer emails so far asking for more details. They don’t show any detailed examples on the site either.
Rob Sequin says
Looking forward to comparing the adsense revenue to internal Whypark ad revenue to parking revenue across a number of domains.
This will shake up the parking and mini-site industries.
FYI, other mini-site companies are EvoLanding.com, DomainEmbarking.com and AEIOU.com.
There is also DNForum’s “content rich website” templates at http://www.dnforum.com/ppctemplates/ but I think you have to host on your own servers.
I do not have any affiliation with either other than my own accounts.
Steve M says
Thanks for the always great info, Andrew…and for the mini-site tips, Ron.
Stephen Douglas says
Nice article, Andrew. Thanks for the update. I hope you don’t mind if I invite your readers to ask me about free tester accounts that will merge into the new WhyPark launch. Large portfolio holders who have a good percentage of non-performing generics, this is a good opportunity for you to raise the value of your domains.
John says
I wish I could be as excited as the others, but WhyPark lost all of its appeal after losing the ability to host Adsense. I have been a WhyPark user since May of 06, and nothing compares to the revenue that once existed with the Adsense in place.(I paid for my service in the first 30 days of using WhyPark; Haven’t come close to that number in the last 7 months on the same domains) Not too mention it appears that any domain placed on the WhyPark network (for a fair amount of time) is banned for development by Google. I personally see a possibility of a lot of angry domainers in the future, who used WhyPark at one point and now can’t place Adsense ads on the domains once hosted at WhyPark.