10 Steps to Successfully Negotiating a Premium Domain Purchase

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

10 Steps to Successfully Negotiating a Premium Domain Purchase

Even the best domains can be snapped up at an attractive price if you follow the rules and get the timing right. In this blog post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme shares the top strategies domain brokers employ when securing high-value names for their clients.

Does this sound familiar? You came up with the perfect name for your website, but there’s one major problem—someone else already owns the domain.

The bad news is you’ll have to convince them to sell it to you. The good news? You have options for negotiating and purchasing a premium domain.

Yes, even one that doesn’t appear to be available.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the 10 steps to successfully negotiating a premium domain purchase so you’ll know what to expect.

But before we jump in, the first thing we strongly recommend is hiring an experienced domain name broker. Domain name brokers can help you seamlessly navigate the premium domain purchase process by acting as an intermediary and providing expert advice.

Even better, they will handle all of the steps below for you, ensuring an efficient and effective premium domain negotiation process.

Key takeaways

  • Research is a key part of the negotiation process
  • Make sure your preferred name isn’t already trademarked
  • Always get a professional valuation
  • Start with a reasonable offer
  • Think laterally when it comes to financing the deal

Looking for a domain name but it isn’t available?

Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll explain how we can help.

Name Experts has helped clients secure more than 200 premium domain names in deals totaling more than $150 million. Many of these domains weren’t for sale when we first reached out to their owners.

Part One—Before the Negotiation Begins

Years of experience in domain brokerage have taught us it pays to do your due diligence before making your first move. There’s a bunch of things to cross off the list before a buyer shows their hand, and these five pointers will get you off on the right foot.

1. Research the premium domain’s history

Close-up image of a person at a laptop, symbolising the importance of research when sourcing a premium domain name with help from a broker.

Domains are valuable, so your domain broker will start by doing a deep-dive into the domain to gather as much information as possible ahead of the negotiation phase. Among the things we’ll investigate are:

  • Previous Domain History: Using tools like Wayback Machine, you can view the website’s past content, which can help you avoid domains associated with spam and negative SEO practices.
  • Key Traffic Patterns: We’ll dig into the domain’s history to understand its previous use, traffic patterns, and any potential issues.
  • SEO Performance History: Tools like Ahrefs will help assess the domain’s SEO performance, including its backlink profile and organic traffic data related to a website. This is important because a domain with a solid SEO foundation could bring value beyond its name, while a domain with penalties or poor history might hurt your website ranking.

2. Confirm whether or not the premium domain name you want to buy is listed for sale

Next up is performing a domain lookup using tools like WHOIS to check whether the domain names are available for purchase.

It’s possible it’s already up for negotiation, or may have already been sold before. But if it’s registered, you can use a browser to check its expiration status for insight around whether it could be up for negotiation soon.

3. See if there are any trademark issues

Before purchasing the domain, you need to confirm there aren’t any trademark issues. Ask your broker to conduct a trademark search to avoid legal conflicts.

Domain names that infringe on existing trademarks can cause costly legal issues, so checking databases like USPTO.gov is a key step to avoid additional exposure.

4. Use a domain valuation tool

The first step to securing a favorable premium domain acquisition price is understanding its market value. A great place to start is a domain marketplace.

In addition, valuation tools like Estibot assess the worth based on factors like the extension (.com, .net), keyword relevance, and previous sales of similar domain names.

5. Consider monitoring the domain for a while

A pair of hands with a clock face projected onto them, signifying the importance of taking your time when sourcing a premium domain name.

If you have a bit of time, it could be worth monitoring your premium domain name for a while to get the most favorable price.

For example, domains often get listed on auction sites from either a sale or registration lapse (you can’t actually buy a domain name forever), providing a prime opportunity for you to acquire it at a favorable price.

 

Part Two—Premium Domain Negotiation Time

You’ve selected a domain broker. Done your domain name due diligence. Now it’s time to kick off negotiations for a premium domain name acquisition. Steps 6-10 will walk you through how to optimize the entire negotiation process for the most favorable outcome.

6. Start negotiations with a reasonable initial offer

The first step in negotiation is to have an initial offer you feel both comfortable and confident about.

The offer should be reasonable and based on comparable domain sales. It also shouldn’t be your maximum offer—as you’ll want to leave room for negotiations. Your broker will then make contact with the seller or selling agent and present this initial offer.

Pro tip: never low-ball the seller. You only have one chance to get it right. Ask, “What is this asset worth to me?” and “Am I open to an alternative if my budget falls short?” You need to be clear on whether or not this is a must-have domain name for your project.

7. Be prepared for a counter-offer whenever you want to buy a premium domain name

It’s rare for a premium domain owner to accept the first offer presented. They know what they have is valuable to you, so they will likely counter your offer with a higher target sale price.

Be prepared to negotiate and remain flexible. It’s common for negotiations to go back and forth several times before reaching a final agreement.

Pro tip: persistence pays off. The greatest number of contacts with a seller to secure a premium domain name for a NameExperts.com client is 110!

8. Think outside the box

If you’re struggling to come to an agreement, think outside the box and present some ways to sweeten the deal while saving you money.

  • Installment payments: Offering to pay the total amount over time may make a higher price more palatable to both parties.
  • Lease-to-own: This allows you to use the domains while making smaller payments and eventually taking ownership with a larger ‘balloon payment’ at the end.
  • Equity or partnership: In some cases, offering equity in your business or a partnership might appeal to the domain owner selling the domain name.

9. Be patient

Domain contact negotiations can take time, so it’s important to remain patient and professional throughout the process.

Avoid pushing too hard and always remain interested/available during the active negotiation. You don’t want to upset the seller or selling agent. Keep communication respectful and open to maintain goodwill with the contact.

If you are buying through a domain marketplace, make sure to align with your representative when trying to buy domains. Domain marketplaces are excellent resources for inbound leads. Places such as SEDO or Afternic provide a market for parties interested in buying a domain by searching available inventory by keyword and TLD.

10. Get the deal closed with an escrow service

If all goes well, you’ll hear back from the premium domain seller that they’ve accepted your offer. That’s great news, but there’s a little more work to do to finalize the deal.

Once your price and terms are agreed upon, your domain expert drafts a formal purchase agreement.

Here’s an important tip—use an escrow service for the following reasons:

  • Security: The escrow service ensures that the buyer’s funds are only released once the domain is successfully transferred from the selling agent, protecting both parties.
  • Transparency: All steps of the process are tracked. Both parties have clear visibility into the status of the transaction and deal, leading to the best price.
  • Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, the escrow service can mediate and help resolve issues, offering a neutral third-party service. This can save you money and be a game changer.

When using an escrow service, the funds are typically placed in escrow until the domain migration is completed and verified, at which point the payment is released to the seller.

After the domain has been confirmed, you officially gain ownership of the domain, concluding the acquisition procurement for your site.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made a premium domain purchase!

A dog shaking hands with a human, symbolizing that a domain name negotiation has been completed with help from a domain broker.

Premium domain acquisitions can be tricky, which is why having an expert by your side to navigate the process is crucial for success.

Name Experts founder Joe Uddeme has over 15 years of experience helping clients successfully acquire premium domains and is ready to help you do the same, just as he did for Monday.com and entrepreneur Mark Cuban.

 

About the author

Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. If you’d like help with buying or selling a domain name, contact us at: [email protected]

 

Subscribe for More Domain Buying & Selling Advice

Related posts

Hands tapping at a laptop keyboard
Can You Buy a Domain Forever?

One of the most common questions we are asked is, ‘Can I own my domain name forever?’ While the simple answer is ‘no’, Name Experts director Joe Uddeme explains a reliable workaround...   While it’s not possible to buy a domain name forever in the classical sense, there are ways to ensure long-term control over your domain. Website registration typically involves leasing a domain name for a specific period, usually between one to ten years. However, some registrars offer lifetime domain registration options or auto-renewal features that can help you maintain ownership for an extended period to buy a domain name. By opting for these services, you can avoid the hassle of frequent renewals and ensure that your domain name remains yours for as long as you need it. This approach provides peace of mind and stability for your online presence, allowing you to focus on building and growing your website without worrying about losing your domain. It’s an especially important consideration when you want to buy a premium domain name.   Key Takeaways Understand the truth about “ownership” of a domain name Know your rights and responsibilities as a domain name owner Learn about settings and protocols that can help protect you

Man and woman in casual setting look at a laptop, as if investigating best places to buy a premium domain name
Best Places To Find a Premium Domain for Sale

A great domain name usually has a price tag to match – it’s why we call them ‘premium’ domains. In this post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains where to find high-value names that can help your business grow.   Premium domains are the best type of domains because they are memorable and tend to draw a lot of organic traffic. They are short, catchy, and quickly feel familiar – with a high potential to become popular web addresses. They also present great branding opportunities for up-and-coming businesses. The best places to find premium domains for your business include: Name Experts GoDaddy Sedo Network Solutions Domain.com Namecheap In this post, we’ll look at each of these and discuss their pros and cons. Key Takeaways: The steps to take when buying a premium domain Brokers and marketplaces for premium domain names Discover some FAQs about premium domain names

Default alt text
Domain Names and Covid-19

Over the past few weeks, there have been many readers asking about the effects of Domai Names and Covid-19 on domain names. Should we hold our names, or sell them now? How has the impact of the global pandemic affected domain name investors and owners of valuable digital assets?  Will we be heading for a deeper depression, and how would all of that translate into the current value of your domain name portfolio. In the short term, if you can sit on your names, you would probably be better off in the long run. The market uncertainty has thrown domain name values for a loop. Financial market volatility has a direct correlation with domain name investment values. As a result, now is not the time to sell your domain name to the end-user. Its also not the time to expect top dollar values on your domain name inventory. The market is different and is reactive to today’s landscape. Folks are still trying to figure things out—and most importantly—stay healthy. We are faced with a new way of life now with remote workplaces, and limited exposure to the people we care most about. When the dust settles, domain name portfolios will evolve and some additional GTLD’s will continue to go by the wayside. Domain name starts will continue to suffer (a start is defined as a new potential domain name acquisition or valuation). Brands push Pause Just three weeks ago, domain starts were up. The market was robust and many startups, and emerging brands had major growth. 2020 was off to a great start and then boom. In a matter of weeks, things have dried up. Most acquisitions that were on the target board have been placed on hold, with buyers deciding to wait for the dust to settle from the outbreak. Things are rough and will continue to deteriorate. Growth has turned into retraction with global markets reacting to their municipalities ability to control the spread. Simply put: things have frozen. People aren’t spending and have decided to stand pat. Hundreds of thousands of employees are losing, or have already lost their jobs around the World. Companies are scrambling for a plan to deal with the circumstances. What should we do? As with any alternative or digital investment, it’s wise to have a long-term plan. Domain names, are very similar to real estate and will ultimately retain value and upside. More specifically, .com digital real estate will continue to hold value. Additional TLDS will continue to fade out—at a fast clip than over the past two years. Only sell if you need the capital—understand that the market is different so selling now, will probably not deliver top dollar for your asset. Hold if you Can—now, more than ever, you should hold your inventory. You might be in it for a while at this point. Can you afford to wait for the proper rebound? Don’t panic—there is always liquidity in domain names Diversify your portfolio—now is the time to clean out the junk and trim the fat so-to-speak We always encourage you to like our articles and share with your network. Keep a look out for additional pieces related to the current climate for domain names as an investment tool and provide your feedback if there are topics you would like for us to cover. Learn more by visiting our website. NameExperts.com

Why Work with Name Experts

Name Experts offers personalized domain brokerage services, assisting clients in buying or selling premium domain names with expert appraisal, negotiation, and complete transaction management while ensuring confidentiality.

Some of our most
successful stealth acquisition and sales

Aid.com

Fit.com

Mine.com

GLD.com

Jeff.com

Fora.com

Nori.com

Secure.com

Guitar.com

F*ck.com

Radian.com

MetaData.com

Prize.com

Link.com

Loop.com

Programs.com

Claim.com

Quince.com

Hook.com

QXO.com

NQ.com

Rest.com

Humani.com

Max.com

Need help buying or selling your premium domain?