January 14, 2020

Biggest Trends That Will Help You Buy Premium Domain Names In 2025

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

Biggest Trends That Will Help You Buy Premium Domain Names In 2025

Looking to buy domain names in 2025? Here’s Name Experts Director Joe Uddeme with a roundup of emerging trends and things to look for when adding a name or two to your portfolio.

 

Buying the right domain is crucial for a successful business, which is why our professional team at NameExperts.com makes sure to stay on top of emerging trends.

What was right for your business a decade ago – probably your brand name + .com – might still be relevant today, but there are newer alternatives and domain name combinations that consumers are comfortable with, too.

Purchasing premium domain names is a great idea for any emerging business that wants to scale their brand. Top companies around the world are teaming up with domain brokers to help them buy premium domain names at the best prices – and with their anonymity preserved if necessary, too. Save money, add credibility, and give your company equity value when you work with experts like us.

Key Takeaways

  • GDPR has changed the rulebook
  • There are now more TLDs (.com, .ai, .io, etc.) than ever – but not all are popular
  • Catchy ‘meaningless’ names can become very valuable

 

Trend #1: Easier Identity Protection

Have you heard of GDPR? When it comes to identity and privacy online, it can be very difficult to identify actual ownership of domains – which is why we recommend working with a top domain broker who has the skills to properly identify owners and help you navigate the domain world.

The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, is a new and strict set of rules and regulations that mandate how businesses that gather customer data and also how they must protect that data. It also outlines severe penalties for companies that violate the GDPR.

This can make it that much more challenging to identify who owns what. No matter the size of your company, if you’re doing business in Europe, you should be thinking about how you’re protecting your employees’ and clients’ information online.

Padlock bathed in red light on a computer keyboard to denote data security

 

Trend #2: Reduction In GTLD Registrations

TLDs are the letters found at the end of an internet address, such as .com, .net or .org. Any TLD that isn’t representing a country or territory is known as a generic top-level domain.

The New gTLD Program was an initiative coordinated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which has increased the domain name system. With the introduction of new top-level domains, it was meant to enhance competition and consumer choice when it comes to domain names.

It also brought many new safeguards to help support a secure, stable and resilient internet.

Though there is a rise in new generic top-level domains or gTLD registrations, the trend is that many registrations are not being renewed – meaning there is limited value in this type of asset. There are so many different domain identifiers, like .law, .brand, .legal that it is easy to get carried away.

We believe these new registrations will continue to decline and buyers will focus much more on sensible and dependable options such as .com, .co, .net, and .org.

However, there are several newer options that can be worth investigating. These include .ai domain names and also .io, which are beloved of tech brands.

 

Trend #3: Interesting Combinations and Lateral Thinking

Verbs and action phrases at the start of a domain name are in vogue. Things like ‘get’ or ‘try’ – resulting in www.getselfhelp.co.uk, for example.

Thinking laterally also leads to the likes of Zyro and Figma, which have become highly-prized brands based around words that didn’t exist.

Screenshot of Figma homepage – a domain name that has become valuable

We regularly help clients to align themselves with strong and/or catchy names that appear to be unavailable. It’s one of the many reasons that people turn to a domain broker. As well as helping you to choose a strong brand name that has long-term value, we bring expert negotiation skills to the table. We also take care of every element of the transaction – from soup to nuts.

Our team offers a full-service domain name brokerage experience for each one of our clients. It’s our mission to protect our clients’ anonymity and deliver great results. From domain name acquisition to the divestment process, we have the knowledge you need to help you grow your business and protect your assets.

 

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

Slightly ajar laptop with blue-green haze
Are Buying Premium Domains Worth Your Money?

Some things are hard to put a value on. Did Apple need a multi-billion dollar ‘infinite loop’ HQ – or did they get something much more than a fancy address? NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme explains how the true value of a premium domain name sometimes runs much deeper than you think.   You are likely searching around the web right now for “domain premium names” or some mash-up of those three words, wondering which ones you’re likely to buy for yourself or your company. You’ve already weighed up the pros and cons of choosing a premium domain name over a regular $20 one. First up, well done. You’ve recognised that if you want to buy a great domain name, you’re going to have to pay for it. A premium domain might only cost a few hundred dollars (though it could cost a lot more), but you have at least figured out that it may have a certain value. A domain which has what we call ‘jurisdiction’ is one that already performs well on search engines. A number of the critical indicators that prove that your domain name has jurisdiction are its domain authority, traffic, and links. Usually, premium domains come with an existing domain authority that will enhance your website’s rank with search engines. Here’s why buying a good one can be well worth it. Key Takeaways Save money on advertising with a strong premium domain Expect an instant flow of traffic Get help if you’re not sure where to begin   You Don’t Need to Spend Too Much on Advertising Most of us recognize that sites with a fantastic ranking on Google are advantageous for their owners. When the keywords being searched are a specific match to keywords in your domain name, odds are your site will rank quite high on search engines – especially if the content is good and has been optimized for SEO. Many people are harnessing the net by producing multiple domain names in the hope their company will enjoy more exposure. However, the majority of these additional domains provide very little value as most are unsecured. They can also be harmful. Domains which have a recognizable extension like .com or even .net are more reliable and will enhance your website’s click-through rate.   Clients Will Find You Quicker Domain names that are brief and contain keywords are in high demand since they help your clients to locate you quickly. They’re also more memorable. It is far better to invest in a premium domain name that’s brief, descriptive and matches what clients are looking for. Every website owner will tell you they spend half their life trying to attract new clients to their website. The battle can be won before it’s even started if you choose the right premium domain name.   Expert Guidance for New Domain Name Buyers Experienced domain name brokerages like NameExperts.com are popular among business owners who don’t have the necessary experience or knowledge to confidently make decisions about their domain name strategy. As well as offering expert impartial advice, we can track down owners of off-market names and conduct all negotiations on your behalf. Our clients – which include Tripadvisor, Monday.com and Mark Cuban – regularly tell us our services save them time and money.   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]    

Alarming image of a piece of paper stamped with 'scam' for an article about domain name scams
Understanding the Domain Name Scam

The bigger the domain name purchase price, the more attractive it is to scammers and fraudsters. Global domain name broker Joe Uddeme shares his top tips for staying safe when buying or selling premium domain names. It’s essential to understand the different types of domain name scams to protect yourself and your online identity. Domain name holders must be vigilant about renewing their domain names to retain exclusive rights. Domain name scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify them, such as recognizing phishing emails. One domain name renewal scam typically involves urgent phone calls or emails pressuring you to renew your domain names immediately and pay or risk losing your domain. This domain name renewal scam tries to trick people using phishing scams and deceptive tactics when registering names. Awareness and reporting are crucial to protect yourself. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Watch out for fraudulent domain renewal notices that may look official but are not. Domain registrations often come with options for renewal or transfer, so explore these to avoid falling for scams. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly. Be aware of deceptive practices by companies that send official-looking letters from a domain registry, urging you to transfer your registrations under false pretenses.   Protecting Yourself from Domain Scams Always use a secure payment method to pay for domain name renewal. Recognizing legitimate renewal notices is essential to avoid unnecessary fees and potential loss of domain ownership for the customer, so don’t ignore every email you received about your names. Just treat them all with caution. Verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your domain registrar company directly. Scammers often exploit the relationship with your existing registrar by suggesting that a transfer is merely a renewal process. Monitor your domain name registration and renewal dates to avoid missing important deadlines. Scammers use various methods, including urgent phone calls and deceptive emails, to execute a renewal scam. Use domain locking to prevent illegal transfers. Domain hijacking is another threat that can be mitigated by this measure. Registration scams typically manifest through fake renewal notices, creating confusion and unwarranted financial pressure. Keep your contact information private by using a domain name privacy service. Scammers may trick owners through fake offers, exploiting confusion around domain registration and renewal. Fraudulent phishing scams often target website owners, too, using tactics to deceive them into believing they owe money or need to make changes to their domain or hosting services.     Understanding Domain Name Renewal Scams A Domain name renewal scam is a type of intellectual property scam or confidence scam that target the owner. These scams can result in financial loss for businesses and individuals. The financial loss can be substantial, affecting both small businesses and large corporations. Domain name scams can take many forms, including domain slamming, false offers to buy or sell domains, and fake trademark protection. It’s essential to understand the different types of domain name scams to protect yourself and your online identity. Domain Registry of America is an example of a fake trademark protection service. They contact the website owner claiming to have a trademark right or warning that someone else owns the rights to your name. Check your expiration date and make sure your domain information is protected so you don’t lose control of your asset. While you can’t technically buy a domain name forever, you can register and renew for extended periods. Domain name scams often involve unscrupulous domain name registrars attempting to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, selling, listing, or converting a domain name. These scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify scam tactics. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly. Be able to recognize scammer tactics by paying attention to blog post and article updates. Customers should also consider adding two-factor authentication for all registered accounts, or hiring a domain name consultant for guidance. Definition of domain name scams A domain name scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers deceive individuals or businesses into paying for fake registration services, overpriced renewals, or by impersonating legitimate registrars. It often involves phishing, domain hijacking, or misleading offers to trick victims into making unauthorized payments or losing control of their domain Importance of awareness and prevention Awareness is the first line of defense against domain name scams. The website owner must be vigilant and proactive in protecting their assets. This means being cautious of unsolicited offers, verifying the authenticity of emails and letters, and keeping domain registration information up to date. By understanding the risks and taking preventative measures, website owners can safeguard themselves from getting scammed. Regularly monitoring domain status and using secure payment methods for renewals are also crucial steps in prevention.   Domain Registry and Scams Domain renewal scams: fake notices and invoices Domain scams are a common tactic used by the scammer to trick the owner into paying for unnecessary services or transferring their site to a different registrar. These scams typically involve sending fake notices or invoices that claim the domain name is due for renewal. Often involving inflated prices, notices often appear to be from a registry or a legitimate company, but they are actually from fraudsters posing as an internet registry. Swindlers use various tactics to make these notices or invoices appear legitimate. They may include the domain owner’s contact information and registration details, creating a sense of urgency by claiming that the domain names will expire or be lost if the renewal fee is not paid immediately. They may ask for you to renew your domain and pay an exorbitant fee. This pressure can lead the holder to act hastily without verifying the authenticity of the notice or link. They may also try an inflated price on the renewal scam for your website or use a scare tactic and tell you your name is about to expire if you don’t pay a fee. To avoid domain scams, website owners should be cautious of unsolicited notices or invoices. Always verify the authenticity of the sender by contacting the current registrar directly or checking the domain name holders registration information online.     Domain Scams – How to Stay Safe To protect yourself from domain scams, it’s crucial to be vigilant and take proactive steps. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to domain scams: Keep your domain registration information valid, up to date and secure so it never expires. Simply renewing ahead of time. Set a calendar reminder to be a step ahead Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your domain registrar or reseller directly. Use secure payment methods when you register and renew your site or domain name. Avoid Mail that contains your physical mail address. Address customer concerns by contacting customer support. Monitor your domain name registration and renewal dates to avoid missing important deadlines. Consider adding auto-renew as a double check for registering your asset before it expires. Use domain locking to prevent unauthorized transfers of your registered assets. Keep some money in the registrar account in case you have an issue with your credit card when you pay. Keep your contact information private by using a domain name privacy or proxy mail service. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to domain scams and protect your online website identity for your domains.   Reporting Domain Scams to Your Domain Registrar If you suspect that you have been a victim of a domain scam, it’s essential to report it to the relevant authorities. Here are some steps you can take: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Share the information about the scam on social media to warn others. Use the social media links provided to share the post. Report the scam to your domain registrar company such as Network Solutions. Contact the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Complaint department and let them know about the letter or email. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) if the scammer is a business. By reporting domain scams, you can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam and bring the fraudsters to justice.   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]

Two professionals looking at documents to imply safety checks when buying a premium domain name
How To Safely Purchase Premium Domain Names

Almost every good domain name you can think of has already been registered – meaning you’ll need to buy it from someone if you want it. NameExperts.com Principal Joe Uddeme explains how to do it the right way.   We are living in a time when there are more active domain names than there were people alive in the 1920s. There are over 1.8 billion websites, and this doesn’t even include the ones that aren’t active. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for you to find an original domain name that will instantly connect with your market. If you want your business to succeed in the online world, you will likely need to buy a premium domain name that is already owned by someone else. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about premium domains and how you can successfully purchase them – with or without the help of a top domain broker. Key Takeaways Understand premium domains and what they can do for your business Top tips for purchasing a high-value domain name How a domain broker can simplify and streamline the whole process   What Are Premium Domain Names and Why Do You Need One? You want your business to be successful right off the bat, and premium domain names might be the best first step. Here, we discuss what premium domain names even are and share a few tips to help you purchase them. Elements of a premium domain name Premium domain names are short, easy, and highly marketable names that are usually already bought by someone and are available for sale for a “premium” value. They are priced higher than normal domains due to a few factors: They have high marketability thanks to their unique and trendy names that are instantly recognizable by the target audience. Premium domain names tend to be shorter in length and are easier to remember. (Example: Facebook bought “fb.com” as it was used almost as much as “facebook.com”). While not on our list of most expensive domain names ever sold, it certainly commanded a high price. They have optimized keywords that are hard to find in new domain names. They usually end in the popular “.com” extension. There are a few other things to consider and a few criteria that are used to qualify your domain name as premium. The first is if they are generic or single word domain and whether they have a .com or another globally driven brand. They should also be pronounceable and meaningful and should have a desired commercial appeal. Similarly, does the name you want to have a clear path to developmental success or is it random and highly specific? A premium domain might also already have a rich-SEO history and what we call a “white-hat” SEO past. Your domain should be catchy, brandable, and most importantly – scalable. Basically, you’re looking for a timeless domain that won’t go out of style or be easily forgotten. A domain name consultant can advise here, and can prove invaluable when investigating your intended domain name’s past. When you’re looking to add a domain name to your business, it’s important to focus on some of these pointers above if you want to add value and long-term equity to your overall brand. If you plan on selling your business someday, you want to choose a name that can be resold; try and give yourself a little digital curb appeal for if the business doesn’t pan out down the road.   Why Premium Domain Names Are Necessary For Your Business While they’re more expensive, premium domain names offer a range of benefits that often match that price and provide a pay-off in the long term. The first benefit you can take advantage of is a higher reach and resonance with your audience. A memorable domain name will stick in consumers’ minds and create a more credible image around your brand. If they remember your domain name, they’re more likely to search directly for it. Check out our guide to choosing a strong brand name for your business. Premium domains will typically contain relevant keywords that are used frequently by consumers of your chosen business segment. This provides a potential pool of traffic already searching for your domain – readily available for you to access. Premium domain names are not essential when you’re first starting out and do not have a lot of capital. They are often expensive and might be a risky investment at the beginning. Once your business starts growing, a premium domain name will help take your online presence to the next level and open you to a world of new opportunities. The Name Experts team regularly helps provide detailed strategies about great business names to help your startup off the ground. Our Tips For Purchasing Premium Domain Names Buying domain names can be stressful if you do not have much experience with the process. Here are a few tips you can follow to successfully purchase a premium domain. Hire a Domain Buyer Broker with a successful track record. They will help you perform a WHOIS search easily and aid you through the process of your purchase. Make sure you get your broker to sign an NDA to protect your information. Contact the owner professionally. Keep a list of alternatives. Be honest and flexible in your negotiations. No one wants to deal with dishonest or overly-rigid buyers. Ask your broker any question that comes to your mind. Why Choose a Domain Broker for your Premium Domain Name Purchase Though this is a quick and general list, we highly suggest reaching out to an experienced broker to help you with the process. A well-established firm like Name Experts offers a full-service domain name brokerage experience for clients. With over 16 years of industry experience and a proven track record (including helping Monday.com to rebrand), we can help you buy a premium domain name your business needs to boost its online presence. We’re highly skilled at tracking down and reaching out to owners of off-market domain names, as well as negotiating the best price for our clients. Buying high-value domain names is a process, and our services ensure that you’ll get the best deal with the least fuss.   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]

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?