April 20, 2020

Are You A Domain Buyer? Here’s How It Works

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

Are You A Domain Buyer? Here’s How It Works

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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

  • The importance of research when buying and selling domains
  • Understand your audience
  • Promote your domains to attract the right buyer
  • How a domain broker can help

Domain Buyer Tips

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).

Do A Little Research – Get Focused

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.

Know Your Audience

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.

Wealthy-looking young man sat on a deck typing into a computer. Next to him is a bottle of Champagne.

Domain Seller Tips

Evaluate Your Domain

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.

Get Your Domains Out There

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.

Choosing the right broker

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.

 

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]

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Escrow is important when buying domain names, especially those of high value. Domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains how domain name escrow works – and why you should use a domain escrow 3rd-party when making highly-priced acquisitions.   What is Domain Name Escrow? Domain name escrow is a specialized service designed to protect both buyers and sellers during domain name transactions. In this process, a neutral third-party agent holds the payment and domain information until all conditions of the transaction are met. This setup ensures that the buyer receives the domain name and the seller gets their payment, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and deception. By using domain name escrow services, both parties can enjoy a secure and efficient transfer of domain ownership, providing peace of mind throughout the transaction. A domain name consulting service can help make the process much easier. What Is Escrow? Escrow is an arrangement in which a neutral third party temporarily holds money meant for a purchase until specific conditions are met. The money will only be transferred to the intended recipient when the conditions are met. If the conditions are not fulfilled, the money will go back to the buyer. In domain name and other transactions, the escrow process often involves a lawyer managing legal documents, ensuring compliance with laws, and securely holding the assets and money in a trust account until the terms of the agreement are fulfilled. What Can Escrow Be Used For & Why Escrow is common in transactions where a significant amount of money is involved, e.g., real estate. It is necessary to protect the buyer from losing money in case the seller does not fulfill the terms of the deal. Domain transactions can be pricey, which makes escrow and other services necessary just like with real estate. After all, domain names are online real estate. 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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. 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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. 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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]
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The .com domain name might still be king, but .org can be a perfectly good alternative in some circumstances. Domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains when and why.   Why buy a .org domain? Why not? If you’ve been contemplating buying a domain and figured that all the alternatives to a .com were a dud, then a .org domain name is the exception. A .org domain imbues a site with immediate confidence and credibility. Your website visitors infer that you aren’t only interested in earning money but are dedicated to making this planet a better place, too. These domains are identical to other domains in most aspects but come with the extra bonus of perceived authenticity among your customers. Key Takeaways Why the .org suggests authority Understand the rules about owning a .org When a .org makes sense   What is a .org domain name? .org domain names were among the first top-level domain names. This means that they were among the first options available when people started picking a domain name. As a result, the .org domain extension is well known – and websites with that expansion are often viewed as authority websites. As they have a certain gravitas and longevity, they are often utilized as a choice alternative to the popular (but exceptionally competitive) .com domain name extension. Who can use a .org domain? If you want to create a community website for your college, gym or cultural establishment, then a .org domain name is going to be your very best choice. It is both fitting and correct – and will suggest to visitors that they have arrived at the official site. Anyone can now choose a .org domain name. You don’t need to submit any documentation or any other evidence that you’re a nonprofit or a charity. The procedure for registering for a .org domain name is straightforward and hassle-free. Commercial companies can just as readily secure .org domain names as official bodies, charities and other organizations can. From a business point of view, adding a .org may help ensure your trademark and brand are well shielded. The same may be true of other TLDs, such as .io or .ai.   Why choose a .org domain name? If you’ve been contemplating registering a domain and can’t get the .com name you want, its .org sister may be the way forward. It grants your site instant authenticity and is an extremely popular and identifiable domain extension. It’s ideal as a home for a charitable or community organization – and can be a terrific alternative to the .com domains. It works well for schools, charities, hospitals and so on, but can just as easily work for your own private use or a small business. If you need help purchasing a .org domain name or would like to inquire about a domain name that is already taken, the brokers at NameExperts can help guide you through the process. We’re particularly good to have around when it comes to negotiation work and have helped everyone from Mark Cuban to Tripadvisor to secure powerful domain names. 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]

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