February 19, 2025

The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

Got a domain name in your sights? Looking to sell one? Here are 5 ‘safe pairs of hands’ when looking to buy or sell non-premium domain names.

 

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.

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:

The first three results are bikes.orgbikes.co, and bikes.biz, which are premium domain names. 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 buttons 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.

Sedo.com website homepage, a leading buyer and seller of domain names

2. NamePros

NamePros is an online community for domain name owners to interact and discuss events related to their 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.

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.

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 the perfect 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” and got the results displayed in the image below:

The first three results were OldCarsForSale.comacars.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 with a specific destination.

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 on the net.

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 resource and forums support for its customers.

Internet marketplace where domain name owners can connect and manage potential buyers.

Only domain names registered on Namecheap can be listed for sale on this marketplace 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 for all auctions. If you are selling your domain, 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.

5. Atom.com (formerly Brand Bucket)

Quality Assurance: Each premium domain is carefully reviewed by branding experts to ensure it meets high standards of originality, pronunciation, and memorability when selling domain names.

Business Identity

Professional Logo Designs: Top designs for your org and branding strategy.

Visual Identity Package: Every premium domain listing includes a professionally designed logo for your org, providing a cohesive domain brand package for your business resources and company identity.

User-Friendly Search and Navigation

Advanced Filtering: Search domains by industry, point, style, length, and other attributes to find the perfect match.

 

FAQ About Buying and Selling Domain Names

 

Where can I sell my domain name fast?

If interested, you can quickly sell your domain name on any of these marketplaces. A large platform such as SEDO, GoDaddy, Afternic or Namecheap offer great options for buying domains quickly and 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. Use a large marketplace like Godaddy for your company’s success. 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.

 

How can I build or develop my domain?

Select a registrar, select and pay a hosting company to host the domain and a web builder interface to develop the site. WordPress or Wix are great platforms for easy sales development tools on the internet. Godaddy has a turnkey solution for your company’s development to make it 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]

Related posts

Old typewriter with piece of paper containing the words 'domain search'
The Best Places to Buy and Sell Domain Names

Looking for some tried and tested places to buy or sell everyday domain names? Here’s our expert guide.   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. 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. Sedo Search Sample: The first three results are bikes.org, bikes.co, and bikes.biz, which are premium domain names. 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 buttons 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. Search for domains on Sedo: Sedo Domain Marketplace 2. NamePros NamePros is an online community for domain name owners to interact and discuss events related to their 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. 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. Search for domains on NamePros: NamePros Domain Marketplace 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 the perfect 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” and got the results displayed in the image below:

Close up of man's hand pointing at a laptop keyboard, as if checking how to buy/sell a doman name online
How to Buy a Domain Name Owned by Someone Else

Got a business idea? All set to buy a domain name so you can start dominating online? Some domains are readily available – others, less so. Here is our step-by-step guide to buying your dream domain name.   Option 1: buy a domain name from a domain registrar Choose a Domain Name: Perform a domain name search. Pick a name that represents your business or personal brand. Keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell. Choose the appropriate domain extension (e.g., .com, .net, .org). Check Availability: Use a domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains) to check if your desired website name is available. Select a Domain Registrar Compare prices and services from domain registrars. Understand how domain locks and transfer processes work, and familiarize yourself with renewal costs and web hosting services. Most domain registrars offer promotions of a free domain name with a year renewal to register a domain name. A few providers include: GoDaddy- web hosting company, domain name registrar and marketplace offering many domain extensions to find your desired domain. Namecheap- domain name registrar and marketplace, offering whois database search and domain name registration to register a domain name. Bluehost- web hosting service and domain registrar. Google Domains- no longer operational after signing a deal with Squarespace. Register the Domain Once you’ve chosen a domain name registrar, follow these steps: Create an Account: 1. Sign up with the domain name registrar. Do your research and pick one whose services you like. 2. Add to Cart Select your desired web address and add it to your cart. 3. Domain Name Registration Process: Decide how long you want to hold the domain registration. (typically 1-10 years). Auto-renewal is another option to own the asset indefinitely. Choose your domain name registrars wisely! 4. Enable Domain Privacy Protection (optional): This hides your contact details from public records for added privacy protection. 5. Make Sure Domain is Locked: To avoid unauthorized use or theft, make sure the domain is locked in the current registrar. 6. Pay for the Domain extensions Enter your payment details and complete the purchase for your desired domain name registration. 7. Set Up Your Website’s domain Connect the unique domain to a website or email service, or hold onto it for future use or domain name trading to the highest bidder. That’s it! You now own the domain name as long as you continue to pay the yearly renewal costs within the registration period. Keep domain privacy enabled when registering a new domain. Option 2: Buy a domain name with a broker Find a Broker: Choose a domain broker service. Submit a Request: Provide the domain name you want to acquire and your budget. Broker Negotiation: The broker contacts the current domain owner and negotiates on your behalf. Agreement: Once a price is agreed upon, the broker secures the domain. Transaction: Complete payment through the broker’s secure system. Transfer: The domain is transferred to your account. This simplifies the process by letting the broker handle negotiations and logistics on your behalf. The broker can typically save you money with their expert negotiation tactics and industry-wide relationships. They can also provide the necessary domain name contract. From a marketing perspective, having the right domain is especially importan; you don’t want to settle for an unworthy alternative. Maybe you’ve already tried to find decent alternatives, but they’re not really the ones you want. Or, you have thought about using a different TLD (Top-Level Domain). While that is a feasible option, it can also confuse potential website visitors who might try to visit the .com when you own the .net version of a domain. Don’t give up just yet! You might be able to buy your ideal domain name directly from its current owner. Here’s how the process works for buying a domain name that is already taken. How To Buy A Domain Name That is Taken At Name Experts, we deal with buying and selling domain names on a regular basis and have helped many clients buy their ideal domain. We help you understand how to buy a domain name and the process to secure your perfect brand. Here is the 6-step process we follow when someone is interested in buying a domain name that is owned by someone else: Evaluate your internet domain name Find out who owns the domain Target the right contact person Determine your spending limit Negotiate without emotional attachment Transfer ownership of the domain 1. Evaluating Your Preferred Domain Name We know that a lot of work goes into finding the right domain name. The first step is to think about your long-term goals for your company, and make sure that your desired domain is a good fit for your business and what you intend to do with it. Once you’re sure that the domain you want is a good fit, you’ll need to evaluate the website currently on the domain. Is there a real working website there? Has it been updated recently? If it is, then most likely the owner won’t be interested in selling. However, if it’s really outdated or is just a placeholder website, then you can approach the owner with the confidence that you might be able to make a deal. Sometimes, owners of certain domains are just waiting for the right buyer to come their way and make an offer. Investigating the domain is crucial in making sure it is available and allows you to determine if buying a domain that is already owned by someone else is a realistic option. 2. Find Out Who Owns The Domain Once you decide that the domain name you’re after is the one you want, the next step is to find out who owns it. There are a number of different websites that can look up that information for you and the most common method is a Whois lookup. Entering your desired domain into one of the whois search sites will return information about that domain, including when the domain was registered, who registered it, and the contact information for the person or company that currently owns the domain. Unfortunately, accessibility to domain owners has really taken a hit with GDPR and some registrars offer advanced privacy protection services for free when you register a domain name. By adding more privacy to comply with GDPR regulations and additional measures to hide contact information, it can make it difficult for some folks to reach the rightful domain owners. If you are able to determine the domain owner’s contact information through the Whois lookup you can continue working through the next steps. But what if you can’t? It’s time to hire a broker. In a few seconds, they can help find an available domain name. 3. Target the Right Contact Person In some cases, the Whois lookup is just the start of the process. Some domain owners are very large, corporate power-houses that own hundreds or perhaps thousands of domain names and the contact information shown may not lead you to the correct person. Amazon.com is a perfect example. They own more than 41,152 domain names in their portfolio. Many of their domains go unused. How do you find the person involved with domain portfolio management, much less the domain you’re interested in, within Amazon’s 600,000+ employees? Did you Reach the Proper Decision Maker? Is it the project manager around that brand? Would it be marketing, CMO, Legal, Business Development, Webmaster, Technology etc? It’s a vital step to connect with the correct person or division within the company so you don’t spend time spinning your wheels. This is where working with a domain broker can be beneficial. They can do the research to identify the owner of the domain and establish contact for no additional fee. Depending on the extension you want, you may find the perfect domain name that works for your business. After contact is established, you need to determine whether the asset is indeed available for purchase – and if it is, will it be within your budget (and if not, can domain name price negotiations bring it down to an acceptable level)? 4. Determine Your Spending Limit Before you even start the negotiation process after you’ve found the owner, you want to think about the budget you have in mind. Make sure you think about what the owner went through, too. If they are actively using the domain to promote their business and have spent their time and money building a website, then you’ll want to make them a fair offer that reflects the domain’s value. If you partner with a domain broker, they can tell you what the domain is actually worth. They’ll conduct a valuation of the domain and can provide you with their estimate of a fair price. You can then use that to make a great offer that will simplify the negotiation process and hopefully get you closer to the outcome you desire for your business identity. 5. Negotiate Without Emotional Attachment Whatever you do next, don’t become emotionally attached to the asset when you start negotiating a price for the domain name. Ultimately, this could add headache, stress and more money to the equation if you start making decisions based on emotion. Remember that a negotiation is a give-and-take and should always try to create a win/win for both buyer and seller. If the price isn’t right and goes beyond your budget, you should be willing to walk away. Once you agree on terms, in most instances you would then either enter into a contract or purchase and sales agreement with the prospective seller or simply move right to one of the formidable escrow providers such as Escrow.com. Contracts and documents can become tricky and need to be completed diligently and professionally if necessary. You will also need to have proper legal representation to make sure you are protected accordingly. Documents can get stuck in legal or need board approval, and can certainly slow down the overall acquisition process. 6. Transfer Ownership of the Domain So now you have made proper contact, negotiated a price, handled the paperwork and set up the Escrow transaction. The buyer has agreed to terms and now you are ready to transfer the domain name. Domain transfers can sometimes be tricky but typically follow two forms for completion. The easiest way to transfer a domain name is by “pushing” the domain name within the current registrar. Alternatively, you may also choose to transfer your domain name to another registrar. To complete this, you will need an authorization code from the seller. Make sure the domain name is unlocked and privacy removed before you try and transfer the domain name. Once the transfer has been completed, you can release the funds to the seller and mark the transaction complete. The entire process for a domain name transaction can be completed in as short as 3-5 days, however most transactions take longer. Some transactions take months to come to fruition, but when complete you will have successfully purchased a domain name that was owned by someone else. What To Do if You Can’t Find the Domain Owner? If the Whois lookup doesn’t provide the contact information you need, it does not mean your path to purchasing the domain ends. Instead, reach out to a domain broker to continue the research process. They can conduct additional investigations into who owns a domain – or at least begin to track down contacts who can get them closer to finding that information. Partnering with a broker at this phase of the process is a great step to take as everything that follows can be challenging to do on your own. Not only is it time-consuming, but they’re experts at this and spend every day figuring out how to help people find their perfect domain.   Getting Support in Buying A Domain Name That is Already Taken Working with successful brokers can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle when it comes to getting the domain name you want. Reach out to us, and let us help you grow your business. We’d love to answer any questions about our services and help boost your confidence when it comes to buying and selling domains. 7 key reasons why you should buy a domain name: 1. Professionalism and Credibility Owning a custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com) makes your business look more professional and credible compared to using free services like yourbusiness.wordpress.com or Gmail addresses. 2. Brand Control A domain name helps establish and protect your brand identity. It ensures your business name is uniquely represented online and prevents others from using it. 3. Easy Online Access A custom domain makes it easier for customers to find your website, improving your online visibility and brand recognition so consumers can find your site properly. 4. Custom Email Addresses A domain allows you to create personalized, professional email addresses (e.g., [email protected]) that look more professional than generic ones. 5. SEO Benefits Having a relevant domain name can improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to discover your website through organic search. What makes a ‘relevant’ domain? Check out our post about why a .com domain name is still king. 6. Long-Term Investment A domain name is a valuable digital asset that can appreciate over time, especially if it’s a premium or in-demand name. 7. Security Owning your domain means you have full control over your online presence and don’t rely on third-party platforms that could change policies or shut down. Buying a domain helps you establish a unique and trusted online presence, improve credibility, and create opportunities for future growth.   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. Using his years of experience, negotiation skills and little black book of contacts, Joe is an expert at helping clients secure .com domain names that are already owned. Contact him 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.

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?