written by
Joe Uddeme
How to Buy a Domain Name
How to Buy a Domain Name Owned by Someone Else
Negotiating a Domain Price
What is a Premium Domain Name & Why You Should Buy One
How to Choose a Domain Name
How to Value a Domain Name
Domain Names for Startups
How to Buy a .com Domain Name
Things to Watch Out for When Buying a Domain
Domain Name Investing
Buy & Selling Domains
Best Domains to Buy
Whether you want to buy names to sell straight away or hold them in your portfolio, there’s a lot to learn if you want to be a big-hitter in the domain buying and selling world. Domain name expert Joe Uddeme shares his top tips for domain buying success.
Both buying and selling domains can be an exciting adventure – and it can even be a profitable endeavor. If you’re trying to get into the domain-buying game, or are simply looking for someone to buy a domain you want to sell, you need a little more information about how it all works.
The actual odds of you cashing in big amounts of money from your domain aren’t high (unless you’re sitting on a desirable two- or three-letter domain name that isn’t currently in use). But if you have no idea what you’re doing, you might also be wasting time and money.
If you want to make it big, you need a tried and true process to help guide you. This post covers our top tips to help you find a domain buyer or to be a domain buyer – and insert yourself into the domain buying and selling game the right way.
Key Takeaways
Though the internet isn’t very old in real terms, there are already millions of domains already registered. And yet there’s still an endless amount of combinations available to register. That’s not even including the hundreds of new domain name extensions available (think .net, .club, .ai and so on).
The first thing we recommend is to do a little research before you get started. If you’re looking to buy a domain, start with what you already know. What are you already an expert in?
Buying the right domain is much easier when you have a knowledge of the industry so that you choose something that will 1) actually sell, or 2) be a great domain for your business.
If you know fishing, for example, you’ll know just the things your fellow marlin hunters will be searching for. Is there a domain name available that fits?
Start your domain name search based on keywords related to the things you’re familiar with. If you KNOW it’s going to be valuable, it will be much easier to sell. Check the strength of a keyword with tools like Google Trends or Keyword Planner or similar SEO tools.
We highly recommend working with a domain broker who knows the marketplace. They’ll be able to give helpful suggestions and help you avoid costly mistakes.
We do NOT recommend targeting a prospective domain buyer based on their potential economic status. Targeting a certain demographic that you don’t know anything about could be an expensive error.
You might also be missing specific rules associated with the industry you’re going after. The bottom line is, you won’t make any money if your buyers can’t use the domain you bought.
If you understand your audience, you’ll be able to really generate sales of domains you buy. If you’ve got a great domain, you can hold onto it for years and probably make a decent profit.
Maybe you’ve already monetized the domain with an active website and put in some great SEO efforts – things that can help make your domain worth a lot more to a potential domain buyer. These types of well researched domains can end up paying for themselves.
Talk to a domain broker. The industry’s big-hitters will have the knowledge you’re looking for and be able to steer you in the right direction for domains that will actually benefit the buyer.
It is so important that you actually have access to domains that would be a valuable asset to domain buyers. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Would the domain name you’re selling actually be beneficial to a business or organization?
Similarly, if you’re the one buying, have a domain broker assess the value of the potential domain. Would having this domain make it easier for clients to find you?
Will having that particular domain make it easier to rank higher on search engines?
Would your profits increase based off of this particular domain name? Don’t buy anything without knowing its true value.
There are many different avenues for getting your domains out to potential domain buyers. Again, we suggest doing a little research. If you’re using a respected source, you’ll have a much better chance of getting your domains sold.
The best suggestion we have is to work with a sell-side domain name broker who knows the market. You can also use a distribution network to make sure you’re getting the right domain in front of the right buyer.
Maybe you already know who might benefit from the domain name? Start a conversation and convey that you already understand what the domain is capable of achieving.
However, if you don’t already have a place to show off your domain, partnering with a domain buying and selling brokerage business will take the pain out of everything and increase your chances of a profitable sale.
If you’ve purchased one or more premium domain names and want to sell them, why leave anything to chance? Working with a broker who spends every day in the market is the way to go.
Not only do they buy and sell millions of dollars worth of domains every year, they also have a network already established. They might have a long list of buyers and sellers lined up before you even set up a meeting.
Domain brokers are able to accurately assess the value of potential domains, and also help negotiate on your behalf. They also know all the paperwork and legal processes that come with buying and selling domains, which means that you don’t have to worry about any of it.
Look for one with a strong track record, ideally one that can demonstrate experience in high-level transactions. Global experience can be helpful, too, especially if you want to secure the international TLDs for a specific name.
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]
Last updated: 17 October, 2025. What’s the best way to negotiate a premium domain name purchase? In this blog post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme shares the top strategies domain brokers use to secure high-value names at great prices.
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]
When you buy a domain name, you purchase a piece of digital real estate. But what, exactly, are you getting for your money? NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme unravels the elements of a domain name – so you’ll have a clearer understanding of the architecture behind them. A domain name is an address you type into your web browser whenever you want to visit a website. It is arguably one of the most important assets any business can own. While ‘domain name’ is an all-encompassing term, a domain is actually made up of multiple parts. Understanding these elements can give you a clearer picture of the domain name investing world and ensure you’re well-informed before buying a domain name or asking a skilled domain broker to negotiate the purchase of one on your behalf. Key Takeaways Domain names – an introduction The 3 types of domain name Domain TLDs for beginners Why not check out our article about why choosing a .com domain name still makes sense for most businesses? What are domains? A domain name is a human-readable address that directs you to a particular website available on the internet. It’s akin to the address for your official residence or workplace. When someone wants to visit you, they come to your address. Similarly, when someone wants to visit a website, they type in the domain address in their web browser. Any domain name has four main components; Domain name: The name of the domain itself. Top-Level domain (TLD): The suffix that appears after the domain name, e.g., .COM and .NET. Subdomain: A domain that is part of another primary domain. It is also known as a third-level domain. Protocol: The system that specifies how information from the domain is transferred to your web browser. It is either HTTP (insecure) or HTTPS (secure). Take https://www.nameexperts.com/, for example. NameExperts is the domain name .COM is the top-level domain WWW is the subdomain HTTPS is the protocol The 3 Types of Domain Names There are three main types of domains, including: 1. Top-Level Domains A top-level domain (TLD) is the final section of a domain name. It is the last segment of text appearing after the dot symbol. For example, in Google.com, .COM is the top-level domain. Ever since the world wide web’s inception, .COM has been the most common top-level domain. It was originally used to designate commercial businesses but has become the de-facto TLD for most websites. Another popular TLD is .NET. It was initially meant for internet service providers and networks but is now available to anyone who wants it. Because NET signifies network and technology, this is an ideal option for technology companies. Yet another well-known TLD is .ORG, which was originally used to designate not-for-profit organizations. Till today, most people associate this TLD with non-profit organizations and social causes rather than commercial businesses. The .ai TLD is another popular one today – especially for tech firms. There are two main types of top-level domains; Generic TLD A generic top-level domain refers to domain name endings with three or more characters, the type that you’d most likely recognize. .COM, .NET, .ORG, .INFO, and other common domain endings fall under this category. Before 2011, there were barely two dozen domain extensions classified as generic. That year, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) expanded the number of generic domain extensions from 22 to over 1,200, opening up more opportunities for individuals and businesses to acquire domain names. Country-Code TLD As the name implies, these are domain extensions associated with specific countries. ICANN assigns country domain endings to each formally recognized nation and sovereign state, and these nations collect a royalty on every sale of their assigned TLD. For example, Tuvalu, a small island nation, earns 1/12th of its annual income from its .TV domain extension. Other popular examples of country domain endings include .US for the United States of America .AU for Australia .DE for Germany .CA for Canada .CC for Cocos Islands .AE for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), etc. 2. Second-Level Domains A second-level domain is directly below a top-level domain in the domain hierarchy. It is the part of the domain name that comes right before the top-level domain. For example, in NameExperts.com, NameExperts is the second-level domain. The second-level domain is usually a combination of words describing the business or service of the domain name owner – and it pays to match this to the name of your business whenever possible to strengthen your brand. In the above example, NameExperts describes the business of a professional domain name broker that helps customers to acquire valuable domains. A second-level domain can include letters, numbers, and hyphens. Symbols are not allowed. 3. Third-Level Domains The third-level domain, or subdomain, is the part of the URL that comes before the second-level domain. The most common subdomain is www., which refers to the world wide web. Third-level domains are not mandatory, so you can have a fully functional domain name without the www part. Some website owners create third-level domains to represent a different section of their website. Examples include: Shop.mywebsite.com refers to the e-commerce section of a website. Blog.mywebsite.com refers to a blog attached to the website. Support.mywebsite.com leads to the customer support section of a website. Understanding Domain TLDs A domain name is the most important property for anyone who conducts business online. Hence, it’s crucial to understand what they are and the different types of domain name extensions to use for a website. The information above should help you figure out how to structure your domain, but if you need help, we’re experts at domain selection and helping you buy the perfect domain. 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 the NameExperts team at: [email protected]
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.
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