November 15, 2019

How to Buy a Domain Name – 10 Tips to Follow Before Buying

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

How to Buy a Domain Name – 10 Tips to Follow Before Buying

Domain Buying Guides

Name Experts provides premium
domain service to:

MAX
MAX
MAX
Hope Channel
MAX
MAX

Picking a domain name for your brand should be given the respect it deserves. After all, says NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme, it could make or break your business.

 

Among the most crucial decisions in establishing an internet presence is picking a domain name to buy.

Ignore the trends and fads of the day and pick a name that makes sense for your company or subject matter a decade from now.

When you choose well, you can rest assured that you have a valuable piece of digital real estate that is woven into the overall success of your business.

Here are 10 suggestions that will help you to make a fantastic domain name purchase.

 

1. Do your homework

Just a small amount of research can go a long way when buying a domain name. Find similar websites and check out your competitors’ domains using a website like Compete.com.

Use dnpric to determine when a domain name was last sold, for how much, and the web hosting agent. You can search by keyword, which will help provide the popularity of particular words in a domain name.

While any research is better than none, plan to put aside days or even weeks to properly research the right name for your brand – something that will help it to grow. If you need some guidance and an insider’s eye, an experienced domain broker can help you come up with – and secure – the perfect name for you.

2. Buy a domain name people can remember

Even if you’re planning on optimizing the website for search engines so that it can be found when people search for “used boats in Dallas” or “hair styling near me”, you still need a domain name that individuals can remember and type.

Anyone hearing your name needs to know how to get right to your business without you having to say things like “the number 4,” and “dash-dash.”

It’s also wise to avoid words that have more than one spelling if your customers are likely to be confused and type in the wrong name. Alternately, you can purchase both versions of the name and guide visitors to the one you prefer – safe in the knowledge that your backup site will scoop them up if they make a mistake.

Avoid anything mysterious like “voodrifunk” or “flambinastic” that might sound fun but is so out there that people will have difficulty remembering it.

Neon sign saying blah blah blah to denote strange domain names

3. Avoid slang terms

Stay away from slang terms and instead select a name that will continue to be meaningful in ten years. This may also help your title be known and remembered by non-native speakers.

Even if you don’t intend to conduct business globally, this strategy can help your neighborhood audience also.

4. Purchase a domain that is shorter rather than longer

The longer your domain name is, the harder it is for people to remember. And the greater chance you have of someone misspelling some of the words.

Most good single word domains are long gone (read “what do to if the domain name you want is taken“), but it’s still possible to avoid super-long alternatives by getting a little creative.

For those who have one word in mind that’s not available, consider adding an adjective or verb in front of it and seeing if those variations are available. Perhaps not “GetAppple”, as that would likely lead to a world of trademark issues and other legalities, but you get the idea.

Think of your domain name as part of your brand, and be sure it matches how you want visitors to consider you.

Small cactus next to a tape measure to denote 'short'

5. Stick with .com if you’re able to

Most individuals assume that a domain name ends in .com – it’s just become the default for most of us. If you purchase a domain name with a different extension or “TLD” as they are known (.net, .info, .org, etc.), you will have some additional work to do if you want to get people to keep you in mind.

However, do not automatically assume you should only ever buy .com domains. Many websites have done very well with different extensions – such as last.fm

6. Do not buy trademarked domains

Even if you’re not intentionally trying to create confusion, you are most likely to face some legal challenges by purchasing trademarked terms in your domain name. To be safe, look for U.S. trademarks at www.uspto.gov and be sure no one owns a trademark on the name you’re contemplating.

7. Do not buy a domain name that is too similar to an existing website

Even if the wording, name or expression in the domain name that has caught your eye is not trademarked, do not buy it if is is merely a variation of some other domain name.

This applies to plurals if the singular is taken (mediatemple.net vs. mediatemples.net) and hyphenating a term (media-temple.net).

8. Avoid buying hyphen domain names

If you have to go with hyphens, do not buy a domain with more than three of them. It is just too messy.

Screengrab of a webpage with many hyphens in the domain name

9. Avoid numbers

People may get confused about whether the amount is a digit (3) or a word (three). If you would like a number on your domain name because there’s a number in your organization’s name, purchase both versions (word and digit ) and redirect one to the other.

10. Check availability on social networking sites

When you’ve got a name picked out, see if this word or phrase can be found on social networking sites like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and Tumblr.

Even if you don’t intend on using social media straight away, you will want the option when you are ready, and it is easiest if you can use the identical phrase on each website.

 

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]

Subscribe for More Domain Buying & Selling Advice

Related posts

US dollar blended into Chinese yuan
Domain investors in China should buy Western Premium domains

Memo to Chinese domain name investors: NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme thinks you’re missing a trick if you limit your portfolio to local names.   Most Chinese investors tend to shy away from Western-type domain names as they don’t have meaning in mainland China – names that contain vowels and the letter “v” in particular. Are they limiting their long-term growth potential? Some would say sticking with Chinese domains is a safer investment. As seasoned domain name brokers, however, we disagree. Here’s why… Key Takeaways New TLDs are not a good long-term play Aftermarket prices for .com names remain high Work with a broker if you need help with domain portfolio management   Background – understanding the Chinese domain name marketplace For those of you that follow the domain investor market, specifically in China, you can see all types of newly minted investors looking for the next great domain name investment. Most Chinese investors are focused on the domain names that have relevance inside of mainland China. The most popular investments in China are the short acronym domain, or simple numeric domain names as they translate to meaning to the Chinese culture. Some examples include the following (N = number; L = letter): 15.com (NN.com) 123.com (NNN.com) TR.com (LL.com) TYPL.com (LLLL.com) 6N.com (LN.com) N6.com (NL.com   Chinese domain investment trends As domain investments continue to increase in China, we are seeing many investors branching out into some of the newer GTLD extensions as alternative investments including; .club, .top, .wang. They are acquiring these names for much lower costs than the typical .com investment. Is that a solid investment? We say: no. The Chinese investor is savvy, but they are limiting their investment opportunity. In most instances, domain investors in China are only focused on these types of names because they create liquidity and are very attractive to the Chinese on a quick-flip model (check out our guide to domain name investing). Additionally, the Chinese investor should look at the plethora of available .com domain name inventory on the aftermarket. Tons of fantastic domain inventory is readily available. Short, generic and easy to spell English words that are solid investments. The saturation of the internet continues to precipitously grow year-over-year, with 78% of the Chinese population now online. When you do the math, it’s easy to see the longer-term opportunity. Should you limit yourself as an investor? Not with the .com market  stronger than ever – with fantastic acquisition opportunities and names that ultimately have a global appeal and market reach. We believe domain investors in China will start to acquire short, generic .com domains as trillions of dollars are available for private Chinese investors. Way back in 2017, George Kirikos had a fantastic post on Twitter, referencing 12,000 startups being created every day in China. The domain investor continues to evolve and grow. Investors should look at the longer-term investment opportunity and acquire names that are globally acceptable and not limited to mainland China.   How a domain broker can help Friends in the right places are always good to have, and most international domain brokers would gladly help Chinese companies and individuals who want to buy domain names. Domain brokers help buyers of any nationality to understand current market trends and navigate the sometimes complex world of domain acquisitions. NameExperts.com is one of the world’s best-known brokerages, offering personalized boutique services that include domain name strategy, portfolio management, negotiation and stealth acquisitions.   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. He advises clients globally. Contact us at: [email protected]
Close up of a man signing a piece of paper with a laptop in the foreground.
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.   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. 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]
Professional looking man (on right) and woman (on left) studying computer as if in conversation about domain names
A Premium Domain Name Makes All the Difference

It’s impossible to overstate the power of a great domain name for a business. Get it right, and an endless flow of online traffic could be yours, as domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains.   The Internet evolves and is shaped by countless businesses, people, non-profits and an array of other entities looking for eyeballs in an ever-changing world. Buying a premium domain name is crucial in today’s clutter. Brands work hard to engrain their product or service in the public psyche and establish market positioning and relevance. Your domain name is part of the deal. Savvy brands understand the importance of creating something catchy and memorable. They need to separate themselves from their competition in ways that remain top-of-mind for their targeted audience. In this post, we’ll look at some of the reasons why companies large and small spend so much time and money acquiring a valuable premium name. And why you should, too. Key takeaways Proof that top brands have instantly recognizable domain names How a great domain name helps leverage your position in any marketplace Questions to ask when searching for a valuable premium domain name   What’s in a name? Let’s start by looking at the top ten brands, according to Wikipedia: Rnk Company Rev($B) FY Employees Mkt. Cap Location Founded 1 Amazon $232.9 2018 647,500 $802.3 Seattle 1994 [1][2] 2 Alphabet Inc. $136.8 2018 98,771 $791.01 Mountain View, CA 1998 [3][4] 3 JD.com $55.7 2017 137,975 $34.84 Beijing 1998 [5][6] 4 Facebook $55.01 2018 25,105 $486.39 Menlo Park, CA 2004 [7][8] 5 Alibaba $39.90 2018 66,421 $432.12 Hangzhou 1999 [9][10] 6 Tencent $36.39 2017 44,796 $434.66 Shenzhen 1998 [11][12] 7 Netflix $15.8 2018 5,400 $153.39 Los Gatos, CA 1997 [13][14] 8 Booking $12.7 2017 22,900 $92.94 Norwalk, CT 1996 [15] 9 Baidu $12.40 2016 45,887 $88.11 Beijing 2000 [16][17] 10 eBay $10.75 2018 14,000 $32.07 San Jose 1995 [18][19]   Each of these companies went out and acquired their core premium domain name – no matter what the cost. They also understood the value of having .com as their global brand. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the strategy of one of the major power-houses listed above. Facebook.com also owns many other valuable pieces of digital, beach-front real estate. Take for example, FB.com which complements the existing digital strategy that was already in place. Facebook has parlayed their web presence by building another piece of digital real estate alongside their own majestic piece of real estate. Another example is Booking.com, with more than $12 billion in revenues. They do a phenomenal job of attracting users with constant ad-driven messaging. They have partnerships with more than 660,000 hotels and provide a valuable service to their clientele.   Why Premium Domains? Let’s continue with the beach-front real estate analogy. For the past thirty years, brands have been swallowing up the short, brandable .com domains. These are the assets that provide the most upside, equity and long-term value to the brands. These assets can hold generic value, such as Booking.com, or be more brandable, such as ebay.com or Baidu – to name a few. Premium domain names have commercial appeal and are typically very memorable. Brands spend huge amounts of money attracting new users and creating brand credibility. Digital strategists – including speculators who buy and sell domains for profit – are competing for a smaller piece of the available premium domain name inventory. Having a great domain name is only half the battle. Success lies in how you develop the brand and create long-term equity for your company. For this reason, companies should always acquire the shortest variation for their brand (Tesla, for example, spent an undisclosed amount on tesla.com so they no longer had to be teslamotors.com). This doesn’t have to be the only strategy. Companies should outline a comprehensive domain name strategy that not only covers their brand but any additional reputation management/brand defense needed to protect their corporate brand positioning. Simply put, premium domain names come with the following instant upside: Brand-dominance and positioning Equity toward a long-term exit strategy Inability to build against – a defensive strategy against your competition Own the real estate before your competitors do! Most successful brands have identified the importance of the premium domain name. They have dedicated digital strategists or digital departments to handle the larger need for digital integration and social media components. Brands should spend wisely and methodically when securing a new brand or piece of beach-front digital real estate.   Get it right the first time with help from a broker Domain name brokerage services like NameExperts help businesses with their domain strategy and are in high demand. Whether or not they work with us, we always advise companies to use the following checklist to make sure they are not leaving money on the table: Conduct Research—who owns the asset and for how long have they had it? Is it being used? Are there active trademarks? What’s the history of the link profile? Variations and Alternatives—brands need to nail it. To do this, sometimes, they need to think outside the box. Find viable alternative assets that define your image and brand. Negotiation is key—do you negotiate for a living? We do. We remove the emotional attachment and red tape to manage both buyers’ and sellers’ expectations. Be Flexible—sometimes you have to give a little to get a little. Don’t be afraid to be flexible and offer ways to benefit the other party in your transaction. Be Honest—honesty and integrity go a long way. Be true to your word and don’t go back on what you say. This is critical for deals to succeed. Ask Questions—hold your broker or expert accountable and ask appropriate questions. Some domain transactions move quickly. A clear line of communication is necessary to save valuable money and time. Due Diligence—dig for more information and market comparisons: it’s all firepower necessary to make the case. Timing—don’t hunt for a CBD-themed/Marijuana-type name when there is mass decriminalization and legalization occurring. The market is just too hot, and pricing will be inflated. Instead, names should be selected “ahead-of-the-curve”. Don’t fall at the first hurdle When buying a premium domain name, it’s important to ask the right questions – it can save the buyer tons of money in the long-run. A common issue relates to trademarks tied to a name/brand. Many companies secure a domain name for commercial use but never take the time to search the trademark database. This quick search can save clients thousands of dollars. Premium domain names make total sense for any emerging brand looking to scale their brand – and shortening the global domain name is still the foundation for successful growth. The top companies around the world continue to focus on the universally popular .com for brand growth. This validates the need for a superb, premium domain name for your company and brand. Get it right the first time and save money in the long run – while adding credibility and equity value while you’re doing it.   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]

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.

Free Consultation

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?