February 19, 2025

The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

written by

Joe Uddeme

The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

Domain Buying Guides

Name Experts provides premium
domain service to:

Last updated: 10 September, 2025.

Got a domain name in your sights? Looking to sell one? Our domain marketplace comparison is just the ticket for anyone looking to buy or sell domain names – as Name Experts director Joe Uddeme explains.

If you’ve found yourself here, you’re probably exploring the world of domain marketplaces or checking out related options. These are online sites where you can buy and sell domain names, and it can be fun typing a name into one of these sites to see if it’s already been taken.

What you’ll quickly find is that pretty much every great name is already owned by somebody else (check out our post on what to do when someone else owns the domain name you want).

There is a vibrant international market in buying and selling domain names; they’re traded like shares and some go for millions of dollars.

Plus, of course, many of the good ones are actually in use. The likes of carrentals.com were never going to be simply ‘parked up’ forever!

If you’re looking to buy a premium domain name, a broker specializing in market research, negotiation and transfer services can save you a ton of time and money. But for more everyday transactions – those costing a few thousand dollars or even as little as 20 bucks – a domain marketplace is where you’ll do business.

In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of some of the best domain marketplaces, including Flippa and Namepros.

Key takeaways

Even for a low-value sale or purchase, use a reputable service.
When you get into five figures or more, consider using a domain broker.
Big names like Sedo and Namecheap are as popular as ever.
Check out our FAQ for tips on selling fast, buying expired domains and more.

1. Sedo

Sedo is a dedicated domain marketplace (similar to GoDaddy) with millions of users. It has been around for over two decades, making it a trusted marketplace for buying and selling domains.

Any domain name owner can sign up for free and list their domain for sale on the website, and prospective buyers can easily contact them through the platform to buy domains. If you need something memorable that you can hang your whole business on, check out Name Experts’ current premium domains for sale.

On Sedo, sellers can set a fixed price for their domain, put it up for auction, or indicate that they’re entertaining offers with an unspecified price range.

When buyers come to the site, they can search for any keyword and check if anyone has listed a related domain name on the market.

If you’re in the market for a premium domain name costing upwards of $10,000, consider seeking out an expert domain name brokerage service. These can help you purchase a domain name at the best price – or sell one without leaving money on the table.

Sedo Search Sample:

When we typed in ‘bikes’, the first three results were bikes.org, bikes.co, and bikes.biz, which are premium domain names – although they currently get little traffic. Sedo also includes other domain names that are closely related to your search phrase to sell domains.

The first two domains in this example have a Make Offer button next to them, while the last has a Buy It Now button for your popular domain.

This indicates that the domain sellers of the first two domains put them up for auction, while the third domain’s owner set a fixed price for their marketing strategy.

As a buyer, you’re free to search for any specific URL and find related domains listed on Sedo to find the perfect domain.

Purchasing from the domain marketplace requires added registration and jumping through a few other hoops, but it’s worth it as Sedo has such a large selection of premium domains available for acquisition.

Who it’s best for: serious name-hunters who want access to a vast pool of names.

2. NamePros

NamePros is an online community for domain name owners to interact and discuss events related to the industry. In the forum’s early days, users commonly posted they had domain names available for sale and wanted to connect with potential buyers.

Observing this, the owner of the forum launched an official domain marketplace section for buying and selling domain names.

On NamePros, any registered user can list the domain names they have available in a forum post. To make the domains easy for prospective buyers to find, NamePros has formal categories that users can attach to their posts to find the perfect domain.

How much is it worth?

Namepros can also share pertinent details of recently sold domains that are similar in nature to your domain search. Domain name valuation is a complex area, so tread carefully!

Because it is a forum, NamePros only helps buyers and owners find each other and it’s up to them to negotiate and decide how they’ll handle payments for the domain. This is unlike Sedo, which facilitates payments and domain transfers for its users among other services.

When using NamePros to buy a domain you should be more careful about your purchase. Set specific terms with the seller before proceeding on any deal and use a trusted online escrow service (e.g. Escrow.com) to ensure that the payment goes through only after the seller has transferred the domain name to your preferred registrar.

You can find a large variety of domain names for sale on NamePros, making it one of the best domain marketplaces in the world.

Who it’s best for: industry players and those looking to strike up a relationship with fellow domain traders. It’s by no means the easiest marketplace to use!

3. Flippa

Flippa is a marketplace competing with GoDaddy for buying and selling online properties, including websites and domain names.

The platform has facilitated millions of dollars in domain name sales since its inception in 2009 and has built a reputation as one of the most trusted domain name marketplaces to find the perfect domain name. The most expensive domain name deal arranged on Flippa was StockPhoto.com, which sold for $250,000.

Any domain name owner can sign up on Flippa and list their domains, but it requires a payment of $29 for a base listing and $99 for an enhanced listing. Sellers often pick the second option because it makes their domains more visible to potential buyers looking for a great domain name.

As a buyer, you can create a free account on Flippa and find domain names matching your taste. You can then search for a specific keyword and find related domain names listed by domain owners to buy domain names based on cost, features and budget.

Easy to use

To demonstrate, we searched for “cars”. The first three results were OldCarsForSale.com, acars.com, and fastsportscars.com, listed for $5,000, $100, and $1 respectively.

OldCarsForSale.com is a premium domain worth its higher price. It’ll be a very good domain for anyone who wants to sell used cars online without a specific destination. Check out our post on choosing a good brand name for some further thoughts on this.

Fastsportscars.com seems like a good generic domain name, but it can easily be mistaken for fastsportcars.com, giving it a disadvantage. It’s likely why it’s listed for a very low price and shows that you can find a good deal on a domain name for personal use.

When you’re ready to make an offer or buy a domain on Flippa, the platform handles the entire process for you. They have been around for over a decade and built a reputation on the internet as one of the most trusted domain name marketplaces to find the perfect domain name.

Who it’s best for: anyone wanting to sell quickly (choose an enhanced listing for maximum visibility).

Homepage screengrab of flippa.com, a well known buy/sell domain name service

4. Namecheap

Namecheap is one of the most widely-used domain registrars, serving over 2 million customers and giving GoDaddy a run for its money. It also has a premium domain marketplace as well as business resources and forum support for its customers.

Popular domain names

Namecheap has an internet marketplace where domain name owners can connect with and manage potential buyers.

Only domain names registered on Namecheap can be listed for sale, however, and owners can list their domain names at a fixed amount or put them in auctions.

If a seller lists their domain at a fixed price, you can purchase it immediately, just like you would purchase a new domain on Namecheap.

Auctions

If the seller puts their domain up for auction, you’ll have to participate in a timed bidding process if you want to try and secure it. If you’re the one doing the selling, Namecheap collects a 10% commission on each sale.

You must have a Namecheap account to buy domains from its marketplace and after buying any domain it is automatically transferred to your control. The convenient sale process makes Namecheap one of the easiest domain marketplaces to use over other domain marketplaces.

Who it’s best for: amateurs and serious pros – Namecheap has something for everyone.

5. Atom.com (formerly Brand Bucket)

Each premium domain is carefully reviewed by branding experts to ensure it meets high standards of originality, pronunciation, and memorability when selling domain names. This makes Atom.com a little different in the domain marketplace arena. Names often have five- or even six-figure asking prices.

Visual Identity Package

Every premium domain listing includes a professionally designed logo for your organization, providing a cohesive domain brand package that helps with your company identity.

User-Friendly Search and Navigation

Advanced filtering lets you search domains by industry, point, style, length, and other attributes to find the perfect match.

Who it’s best for: anyone looking for a brandable premium name. They even mock up logos for available domains to give you a taster for what’s possible.

FAQ About the Domain Name Marketplace

Where can I sell my domain name fast?

If you have a good name available and want to raise funds quickly, you can quickly sell it any of these marketplaces. A large platform such as SEDO, GoDaddy, Afternic or Namecheap offer great options for buying domains quickly – and also boast a fast transfer process.

How fast do domain names sell?

Domain names take anywhere from hours to days, months, or years depending on the demand for them. The amount the domain is listed for also plays a role in how quickly it will sell.

If the price is too high relative to its value, there may be no interest from buyers, especially for a premium domain. If a domain is listed on the wrong marketplace, it may not sell, too.

We recommend using a large marketplace like GoDaddy. Check out our post about domain flipping for some extra tips.

Where do I buy expired domain names for sale?

Many domain registrars host auctions for expiring domain names, including GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Network Solutions to buy domains.

There are also websites specializing in auctioning expired domains, such as ExpiredDomains and DropCatch market services for other domain name sales on non-active domains. Domain brokers can help too. They can also help you buy names that are currently owned by someone else – even those already in use, if the price is right.

How can I build or develop my domain?

Select a registrar, choose and pay a hosting company to host the domain, and sign up for a web builder interface to develop the site. WordPress or Wix are popular, though Wix is easiest to use if you have no experience. GoDaddy also offers a turnkey solution for your company’s development to make launching online worry free.

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]

Discover how Name Experts’ premium domain buying service played a key role in the rebranding of Monday.com. As the business goes from strength to strength, Monday’s rebranding is a testament to the power not just of a world-class brand name but of a powerful, memorable domain name, too. We’ve all heard of Monday.com. They are one of the biggest project management tools on the market. But that was not always the case. Before Monday.com was Monday.com, they were daPulse, a name that ultimately was a hindrance to their growth. The daPulse name was out of sync with the project management business and limited their ability to scale. Changing to Monday.com was a sound decision that contributed to the company’s massive success. It demonstrates how naming a brand is as essential as product development to any technology business. I was approached by the two founders, Eran Zinman and Roy Mann, to pursue a rebranding project. They wanted to buy a domain name that was both generic and memorable. One that ended in .com and could be used as a solidified brand. One of the names that stuck early on was Monday.com. After contacting the owner, the domain name negotiation and engagement was flawless, and ultimately, Eran and Roy were ecstatic with the result. Early on, however, I remember some of the feedback was, “What the heck is Monday.com?” But, with fantastic brand marketing, the team has done an exceptional job at growing and scaling the company. As with most great business ideas, it all starts with the foundation or a solid domain name asset to help build a brand. Here’s the story… In 2012, a group of Israeli entrepreneurs launched a company named daPulse. daPulse launched as a platform for enterprises to organize project management and collaboration between their workers. Though it started in 2012, daPulse didn’t launch commercially until 2014 after significant product testing and development.

Two busy female co-workers sat next to each other looking at a laptop

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

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. 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. 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. 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]

Group of three people in business meeting discussing domain name leasing

Make Money on Your Domain With Domain Leasing

Domain leasing is a viable solution for owners who don’t have a use for their name – and also for would-be buyers who can use it but can’t afford it. NameExperts.com Principal Joe Uddeme explores how it works. Life sometimes doesn’t give you the hand you were hoping for. You were planning to snap up cars.com for your used automobile business, only to find it was first registered decades ago and went on to sell for hundreds of millions of dollars. Or, more probably, you have a family business with a strong brand name, but someone else owns the perfect URL. Not having access to it is getting in the way of business growth. Domain names are an asset class that people speculate on. Some even have domain consultants advising them on their portfolio decisions. As a result, millions of domain names are simply ‘parked up’. While that might be bad news if you want to secure a specific .com domain name that either isn’t for sale or has a price tag that’s beyond your budget, it doesn’t mean all is lost. Welcome to the world of domain leasing. Key Takeaways What is domain leasing? 4 ways to make money from a domain name you own Why you may want to lease a domain Understanding the downsides of leasing a domain How to lease a domain for your business What Is Domain Leasing? Domain name leasing refers to renting a domain name for an extended period, usually a year or more. An individual or business pays to rent a domain name owned by another individual or corporation. This arrangement allows the lessee to use a domain name for a long time without paying a substantial sum outright. Domain leasing is usually done for valuable domain names that are too expensive for the lessee to acquire completely. How Does This Compare To Renting? Renting and leasing are the same thing, except for the latter being for longer periods. Domain leasing agreements usually cover at least one year compared to typical renting, which covers a few months. What Are the Ways You Can Lease Your Domain? You can lease your domain through the following ways: Periodic payments: The lessee can pay for their lease at specific intervals. For example, they could pay monthly or quarterly for the period the lease lasts. This method gives the domain owner stable income they can count on during the leasing period. Percentage of profit: You can agree to take a percentage of profits the lessee makes from the website using your domain name. This method is riskier, as there’s no guarantee the website will be profitable. However, there’s a higher upside if the website becomes a profit-making enterprise. Royalties: You can collect a fixed percentage of the lessee’s net revenue for as long as the lease runs. Ownership percentage: You can request a percentage of shares in the domain lessee’s company. This method is risky but can earn you significant income if the website becomes a viable business that another corporation eventually acquires. Benefits Of Leasing For Domain Owners Provides Another Way To Monetize A Domain Monetizing a domain is better than having it sit idle. If you have a valuable premium domain you’re not using, leasing it out can earn you passive income. You can always reclaim your domain once the lease expires. Opportunity For Investors With Domains In Their Portfolio Many investors specialize in acquiring domain names for profit. Investors with a portfolio of valuable domain names can lease them for a long time and get stable income. Consistent Revenue Stream Renting out a domain for periodical payments generates consistent income for the owner. The owner is sure of getting a specific return on the capital they spent acquiring the domain as long as the lease lasts. The Domain Value Increases Due To Usage Active domains are more valuable than inactive ones because of online traffic. The higher the traffic to a domain, the more valuable it is. Leasing out a domain increases its value in the long term, which the owner can realize by selling it later. Long Term Financial Advantage Receiving periodic lease payments can generate more revenue in the long term compared to selling your domain for a lump sum. It’s why many owners lease domain names out despite getting lucrative purchase offers. Benefits Of Domain Leasing For End Users Spend Less Money Upfront Valuable domain names can run into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is risky to spend upfront. Leasing allows you to build a business with the domain and make periodic payments from the revenue you generate, which is cost-effective. Lesser Burden If the website for whcih you use the leased domain fails, you can terminate the lease and return the domain to the owner. If you owned the domain outright, that means having another asset you must keep renewing or find a potential buyer for. Opportunity To Buy the Domain In the Future Some lease terms include an option to acquire the domain outright later. This way, you can start the website to see if it succeeds. If it does, you can acquire full domain ownership and gain more control over your website’s fate. Access To Premium Domain Names At A Lower Cost Domain leasing lets you use very valuable domain names for lower costs. These valuable domain names can draw more organic traffic to your website. Avoid Legal Liability Issues Leasing a domain name means avoiding any legal liabilities concerning the domain’s ownership. Any legal dispute is the concern of the owner and not the lessee. Downsides Of Leasing A Domain No ownership Not having full ownership of your domain is a risk. The owner can terminate the lease anytime and pay any agreed monetary penalties for early termination. It could be at a crucial time when your website is booming, and losing the domain would affect it negatively. Less Control You have less control over your website than the domain owner. Let’s say your website grows big and becomes valuable; its fate lies more in the hands of the domain owner than yours. They could use that leverage to extract concessions from you. The Domain Value You Build Is Never Yours Drawing traffic to your website increases the value of its domain name. Yet, the owner will capture that value instead of you working hard to maintain the website. Where Can You Lease A Domain Domain Marketplaces Many domain name marketplaces allow owners to list and lease their domain names. This method is beneficial because owners can easily find customers to lease domain names to. The domain leasing services generate a lot of traffic, giving you higher chances of finding an interested lessee. Domain Brokers You can approach a domain broker to lease your domain for you. Domain brokers are experts in negotiating domain deals and can fetch you the best possible price. They’ll collect a fee for their service, either a flat rate or a percentage of the lease value. Word Of Mouth You can spread the word to your social and business circles about a domain name you want to lease out. You may find a trusted lessee this way and negotiate a good deal to earn a stable income. Forums You can join webmaster forums and post about the domain name you want to lease. You may find a buyer this way, but ensure you use a transaction escrow service because you’re dealing with a stranger. Leasing versus Buying a Domain While leasing a domain might be a good option for some businesses, buying your domain outright continues to be the safest and most secure option for guaranteed success. 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 also advises on leasing strategy and portfolio management. 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.

The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

Domain Buying Guides

Name Experts provides premium domain service to:

1. Sedo

Sedo Search Sample:

2. NamePros

How much is it worth?

3. Flippa

Easy to use

4. Namecheap

Popular domain names

Auctions

5. Atom.com (formerly Brand Bucket)

Visual Identity Package

User-Friendly Search and Navigation

FAQ About the Domain Name Marketplace

About the author

Related posts

How We Helped Monday.com Secure the Perfect Name for their Rebranding

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

Make Money on Your Domain With Domain Leasing

Why Work with Name Experts

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Name Experts provides premium
domain service to: