August 27, 2019

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Domain Name

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Domain Name

Looking for some quick tips about securing and buying a domain name for your business? Here’s our expert guide to domain buying, covering everything from hidden fees to privacy protection.

 

Purchasing a domain name is an exciting thing for a new business, but there’s much more to it than simply finding the ideal name. Before you begin, there are a few things you ought to know.

It’s always worth remembering that not all businesses selling domains (known as domain registrars) are the same. Some use tactics like hiding fees or promoting your data to earn more cash, which may have an enduring influence on your enterprise.

In this post, Name Experts Director Joe Uddeme – a seasoned domain name broker – flags up some common things you should watch out for.

 

1. Look out for hidden charges

As with any purchase choice, cost can be a big element. It is easy to be tempted into buying a domain at a really low cost. But don’t be fooled: a few domain registrars provide promotional pricing at an extremely low price but then hide a lot of fees in the contract, lock you in, and charge high renewal prices.

Generally, be aware that registrars offering rock-bottom domains may have additional, less-than-ethical techniques to make money. These strategies include:

  • Adding in hidden prices: Many registrars rely on the fact that most individuals do not read the fine print. Before you make a domain purchase, review the Buyer’s “Terms of Service” for any questionable terms, duties, or fees. Be sure to check what the renewal rates will be, and be certain you are only buying what you need and want.
  • Making you pay to edit your WHOIS or RDAP listing: Watch out for registrars that charge an “administration fee” when you need to edit your WHOIS or RDAP records. Registrars will often try to “upsell” or “cross-sell” you items you don’t require. For example, they might recommend you purchase extra domain endings that are extraneous instead of helpful (for instance, .info or .co). Or, they might offer to package your domain with a bunch of other services you might never use.
  • Charging transfer charges: Make sure the “Conditions of Service” don’t have “transfer-out” charges for moving your domain name to another registrar. These fees could be exorbitant and they violate ICANN policy (ICANN is the non-profit corporation that oversees the use of Internet domains). Beyond the cost, a few registrars make it nearly impossible to perform a transfer by making the transport procedure cumbersome and hard to navigate. It’s a good idea to check into how easy the transfer process is before deciding upon a registrar.

Blue 'Pay here' roadsign to illustrate the danger of hidden fees when buying a domain name.

 

2. Protect your privacy

Unprotected data is vulnerable to being mined by spammers and scammers. Start looking for domain registrars that offer privacy protection for free. Be cautious about dealing with registrars that charge a premium for “privacy solutions,” particularly any who offer to place their details on these registries instead of yours, which covertly gives them possession of the domain.

 

3. Guard your info

Beyond failing to protect your personal data from public records, some registrars actively sell your information to third parties like marketing associations. Some registrars even mine the WHOIS database and then send false renewal invoices, getting visitors to unknowingly transfer their domains. Be certain to find a registrar that promises never to sell or misuse your client information for marketing purposes.

Close up of a hand above a sketch pad with a yellow post-it saying 'Done' on it.

4. Focus on transparency

Look for registrars that offer transparency in their pricing. You should, for example, be able to readily find your renewal prices, as well as the processes for transferring or canceling your domain name registration.

Some registrars offer cheap registration during the initial purchase, but then charge flat-rate costs to renew your domain the following calendar year. They also might make it very difficult to cancel your order. Start looking for a registrar with upfront pricing info and terms of service to avoid surprises later on.

 

5. Differentiate support from sales

Some registrars don’t have support staff but instead have salespeople who are trained to sell you add-on services you may not need – all in the guise of friendly customer support. Look for a registrar that offers courteous and professional support and help, not one that sees you as a cash register they keep trying to ring.

With careful study before you opt for a domain, you can side-step some unfortunate traps and make sure your domain name — and your business – are in good hands for many years to come.

 

About the author

Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s top 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. Contact us at: [email protected]

Subscribe for More Domain Buying & Selling Advice

Related posts

Close up of man's hand pointing at a laptop keyboard, as if checking how to buy/sell a doman name online
Your Expert Guide On How To Buy and Sell Domain Names

In this article, we look at the ins and outs of buying and selling a domain name for your business. Here’s NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme to walk you through the process.   Are you new to the industry and need to know how to buy and sell domain names? You’re most likely looking for the best places you can buy domains, where to sell your domains, how to transfer names to your buyer, how much you can sell your names for, and more. At Name Experts, we help corporations and individuals around the world buy and sell domain name assets. It’s what we’ve been doing for more than 15 years, and we have brokered deals worth more than $150m. So you can trust the information in this post. If you need more help, get in touch. We’ll help you navigate the waters – and even help you choose a great domain name for your business at the best price. Here’s our complete guide to buying and selling domain names – updated for 2025. Key Takeaways Buying domain names – everything you need to know Selling domain names – everything you need to know How a domain name broker can be your ‘secret weapon’ when buying or selling   Buying domain names Buying the right domain name for your brand can be a pretty big undertaking. New TLDs like .online or .law are part of more than 1,500 alternative top level domains that can sometimes confuse your customers. How can you know what the right choice is to help your business grow? Or maybe you’re buying domains to turn around and sell them. Whatever you need a new domain name for, having a broker on your side to help you with how to buy and sell domain names and get the domain purchase over the finish line. Especially when it comes to the negotiation process, you’ll want to have an experienced broker who knows what your purpose is for the domain name so that they can plan the proper strategy. We also encourage you to use an accredited, third-party escrow provider. We use Escrow.com as the preferred method for domain purchase transactions because it identifies all the parties involved to ensure proper transfer and a smooth transaction experience. The broker you choose should be able to work with the escrow provider and help you complete the entire domain purchase process. Escrow Process to Buy a Domain Name Here are the general steps outlined below: Buyer and seller agree to terms Buyer selects a payment method Escrow secures buyer’s payment Escrow will prompt the seller to transfer The transfer will occur either by account transfer or authorization code Seller confirms shipment of merchandise Buyer confirms receipt of a domain name in the account Buyer marks the transaction complete Domain Purchase and choosing the right broker Your domain broker should be open to communicating with you throughout this entire process and make sure the timeline is being met – as well as meeting all other expectations. At Name Experts, we will make sure that we will get you the domain you want or find an appropriate alternative if the one you want truly isn’t available. Most reputable brokers will charge a fee for any successful acquisition and should be upfront with you about that fee. They’ll also help you with successfully transferring domains so that everything is out of your hands when all is said and done.   Selling Domain Names Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned domain investor with dozens of assets or someone who just has one domain name to sell, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional who knows what they are doing. Domain experts make it their mission to maximize your sales potential and work on your behalf. This means letting you know if you’re sitting on a goldmine when it comes to domains or buying assets that are only worth a few pennies – they’ll help you figure out the value of your domain. The first step of the selling process is to establish the right expectation for your domains. Sellers should identify their needs and realistically price their assets in a way that will make people want to buy them. We’ll help you identify your goals and get to the bottom of why you’re really selling. Typically, there are different types of pricing models that we use to sell your domain name, but it all depends on intent. They include retail sellers, market seller, and liquidation seller. At Name Experts, we have experience negotiating and marketing your name assets successfully. We have the knowledge to help you nail down a strategy to make sure the right people are seeing your domain names. If you’re in the market to sell, we will help you with all of our services. Value your Domain Name Your domain name, and really anyone’s domain name, is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay. There are different factors to consider, though. For example, single word .com assets sell for a higher price than longer names. At Name Experts, we will evaluate your assets and take comparisons of other names that recently sold in the market. We’ll make sure you have a realistic expectation of what your domain is worth. Marketing Especially if you’re new in this industry, you’ll want someone experienced putting your name in front of the right people. We use a combination of email, phone, and press releases to ensure global exposure. This also includes reaching out to our industry-wide relationships to help you find the perfect buyer. Negotiation Don’t leave money on the table. Let Name Experts negotiate on your behalf and help you maximize your profit. Transfer Service This part of the process makes sure that the buyer lives up to his end of the deal. We handle all transfers through Escrow.com, a licensed and audited escrow service ideal for domain names.  We’ll make sure that your domain name ends up at the right registrar.   Let Name Experts Help You At the end of the day, you need someone you can trust to help you navigate these waters. A professional domain brokerage service can make all the difference. They will outline both the buying and selling process for you and make sure both sides understand the goal of the transaction. They’ll also help you take the guesswork out of the process, as well as represent your interests. As experienced brokers with an industry-wide reputation, let us help you with all the phases of how to buy and sell domain names. When you work with an experienced professional like us, you’ll see that they will also have all the relevant contracts and paperwork to help you secure the name that you want or sell it for a fair price. We’ll make sure that every step of the way is completely transparent and we always keep your best interest in mind. We don’t want to compromise your identity or your confidentiality, and we work hard to earn the trust of our clients with consistent performance and open communication. When you’re ready to get started or just want more information on the buying or selling process, reach out to us today! We’d love to prove to you why we’re the experts.   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. Contact him at: [email protected]

Rear-view close-up shot of a woman using a laptop to illustrate article about buying a .org domain name
Why You Should Buy a .org Domain and How to Get One

The .com domain name might still be king, but .org can be a perfectly good alternative in some circumstances. Domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains when and why.   Why buy a .org domain? Why not? If you’ve been contemplating buying a domain and figured that all the alternatives to a .com were a dud, then a .org domain name is the exception. A .org domain imbues a site with immediate confidence and credibility. Your website visitors infer that you aren’t only interested in earning money but are dedicated to making this planet a better place, too. These domains are identical to other domains in most aspects but come with the extra bonus of perceived authenticity among your customers. Key Takeaways Why the .org suggests authority Understand the rules about owning a .org When a .org makes sense   What is a .org domain name? .org domain names were among the first top-level domain names. This means that they were among the first options available when people started picking a domain name. As a result, the .org domain extension is well known – and websites with that expansion are often viewed as authority websites. As they have a certain gravitas and longevity, they are often utilized as a choice alternative to the popular (but exceptionally competitive) .com domain name extension. Who can use a .org domain? If you want to create a community website for your college, gym or cultural establishment, then a .org domain name is going to be your very best choice. It is both fitting and correct – and will suggest to visitors that they have arrived at the official site. Anyone can now choose a .org domain name. You don’t need to submit any documentation or any other evidence that you’re a nonprofit or a charity. The procedure for registering for a .org domain name is straightforward and hassle-free. Commercial companies can just as readily secure .org domain names as official bodies, charities and other organizations can. From a business point of view, adding a .org may help ensure your trademark and brand are well shielded. The same may be true of other TLDs, such as .io or .ai.   Why choose a .org domain name? If you’ve been contemplating registering a domain and can’t get the .com name you want, its .org sister may be the way forward. It grants your site instant authenticity and is an extremely popular and identifiable domain extension. It’s ideal as a home for a charitable or community organization – and can be a terrific alternative to the .com domains. It works well for schools, charities, hospitals and so on, but can just as easily work for your own private use or a small business. If you need help purchasing a .org domain name or would like to inquire about a domain name that is already taken, the brokers at NameExperts can help guide you through the process. We’re particularly good to have around when it comes to negotiation work and have helped everyone from Mark Cuban to Tripadvisor to secure powerful domain names. 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. Contact us at: [email protected]

Aerial photograph of the Earth from space with words like .com and .co.uk flying up from the surface to denote the importance of top-level domains when choosing a domain name
Buy Domain Names

Buying domain names – premium or high-value ones in particular – is a process. In this guide, NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme helps you navigate all the steps.   Want to buy domain names? You’re not alone! Millions are bought and sold every year. When you know how buying domain names works, a potentially overwhelming process becomes a whole lot simpler – although certain complexities enter the equation when you are choosing a seemingly unavailable premium domain name that is owned by someone else. However, the principles of domain buying are reasonably straightforward. This article will guide you through picking a great name, finding out if it’s available, and registering it. Let’s get started on setting up your online presence! Key Takeaways Selecting the right domain name is essential for online presence, emphasizing simplicity, relevance, and the inclusion of keywords for better SEO. Using domain search tools, including domain checkers and generators, facilitates finding available and creative domain names efficiently. Securing your domain promptly after availability verification is crucial, and protecting it with privacy measures and SSL certificates enhances security and trust. Choosing the Perfect Domain Name

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 premium domains?