HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 2009) – With the worlds of SEO & domain names converging more than ever, DomainFest 2009 was a smashing success. Officially known as DomainFest Global™, this premier event attracted some of the web industry’s top experts and leaders from all over the US and around the world to the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood California. Rick Waters, Founder and CEO of Webcast 1, recently spoke in front of 600+ website domain owners and investors at DomainFest about what goes into the development of a successful website.

Danny Sullivan - SEO guru with Rick Waters

Using skateboards.com as an example, Rick attributed the site’s success to teamwork. “A website that is developed by a team in which each individual plays a key role is essential. At least one member of the team must be extremely passionate about the topic because passion is contagious. The enthusiasm of the team leader is represented in the creation of the site; spreading to others on the team,” explained Rick.

An example of the "passionate insider" approach is Danny Keith of skateboards.com. Rick used Danny’s story of turning his passion for competitive skating and snowboarding into a successful snow shop and website with the creation of skateboards.com. “Danny’s expertise, enthusiasm and insider knowledge of his industry works the same way in your internet business,” added Rick. “Having insider knowledge of the business will give you leverage in a position of guru status.”

The DomainFest Buildout Showcase featured speakers who have built domains into thriving website businesses. As an acclaimed expert in the business, Rick Waters offered the following strategies to new or stagnant web investors who want to jump on the bandwagon of premium domain name web development:

• Test before you invest
• Have insider knowledge of your business and a passion for what you do
• Spread enthusiasm of your project to others who are involved
• Use open source software
• Try affiliate programs or drop shipping
• Outsource what you can without sacrificing quality

“Once you have perfected your mouse trap, open the floodgates!” exclaimed Rick. He also devoted time to dole out key search engine optimization (SEO) strategies and techniques in a breakout session along with Danny Sullivan – the world-renowned search engine guru of Search Engine Watch and Search Engine Land fame.

Sullivan noted, “There is a certain trust factor when people see the keyword they are looking for within your domain name.” Today’s search engine algorithms measure hundreds of unique variables, although the quality of the links to each individual site still weighs in as the most important factor in a search engine’s ability to find the site.

While in Hollywood, Rick also visited briefly with the legendary Co-founder of Apple®, Steve Wozniak. The two discussed the value of premium domain names and the possibility of Wozniak’s plans to revive the US Music Festival once again.

The weekend event included breakout sessions to discuss domain building strategies and tools, advertising and search trends, and the legislative landscape regarding the worldwide online community. Along with structured networking, live Moniker domain auctions, a wonderful Welcome Party at Universal Studios in Hollywood and the DomainFest party at the Playboy Mansion, DomainFest 2009 was indeed the best DomainFest yet.