What is a Premium Domain Name & Why You Should Buy One

written by

Joe Uddeme

Joe Uddeme

What is a Premium Domain Name & Why You Should Buy One

If you have big plans for your business, you’ll be in the market for a domain name to match. Cheap, everyday domains are unlikely to work for you, which is why you’ll need to get your head around the world of premium domain names, as NameExperts.com Principal Joe Uddeme explains.

 

Domain names are the ultimate authority on the web. They can make or break any business with an online presence.

It’s necessary to pick a suitable domain name if you want customers to discover your website with little stress. Most individuals and businesses understand this rule, and that’s why there’s significant demand for the class of domain names known as premium domains.

There are various considerations to what constitutes a premium domain, but the most important thing to know is that they’re often short, catchy, and memorable.

Premium domain names give you greater recognition on the web. If you’re serious about your business, you’ll want to buy one of these pieces of prime digital real estate for your website.

Key Takeaways

  • What makes a premium domain name
  • Valuations of a premium domain name
  • Long-term financial growth possibilities
  • How to buy a premium domain name
Need help buying a domain? We make the domain buying process easy.

What makes a domain name Premium?

The factors that contribute to making a domain name premium include:

Trustworthy TLD

The top-level domain (TLD) refers to the string of characters at the end of a domain name. The most popular ones include .COM, .NET, and .ORG.

There are thousands of TLDs available on the web, and some of them are obscure, e.g., .WOW.TODAY, and .DOT. Any domain name having such TLDs will hardly or, if ever, be considered premium because people rarely encounter them and thus tend to be skeptical when they do.

Most premium domains end with the popular TLDs that customers trust. The best choice for one would be the .COM TLD.

Length and Brevity

A premium domain name is usually as short as possible. Overly long domain names can be difficult to memorize, so they can scarcely be considered premium – no matter how great their combination of words is. For example, are you more likely to remember (and visit) boats.com or greatboatsforsaleonline.com?

Conciseness is also a vital factor in premium domains. Hyphens or punctuations can make domains difficult to remember, so you want to avoid them.

Generic

Premium domain names typically contain generic words that are easy to recall and understand. The more common a domain name sounds, the higher the value it commands.

Take, for example, Insurance.com, which sold for $36 million, and VacationRentals.com, which sold for $35 million.

It’ll be a great advantage if your company’s domain name consists of a word broadly relating to your industry. If so, it’ll be easier to make a lasting impression on customers’ minds when advertising.

For example, Cars.com is a leading automotive classifieds site with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. The relationship between its domain name and its business carries weight.

Keywords/Search Engine Optimization

Search engines are the biggest medium through which internet users discover websites. Hence, premium domains typically correspond with common search terms. AirlineTickets.comCarRentals.com, and MovieTickets.com are typical examples of premium domains drawing their significance from search engine optimization.

They also prove that a domain name doesn’t have to be a single word to be considered premium.

Why buy a premium domain name?

There are numerous good reasons to buy a premium domain name, but they all converge on one motive: to bring about more business. Companies would not spend sizable sums on premium domains if they weren’t bringing good returns.

The justifications for buying premium domain names include:

Credibility

A premium domain gives your brand more credibility in your industry. A domain name can provide a hint of how serious your business is about flourishing. Don’t believe it?

Try pitching to business professionals or prospective investors with a questionable domain. You’ll be made jest of or continually dismissed, which isn’t a favorable situation to be in.

The domain name you pick also goes a long way in determining the quality of media coverage your business can get. News and industry publications are more receptive to premium domains than non-premium ones.

Brandable

It’s more feasible to build a thriving brand around a premium domain than a non-premium one. A premium domain is usually short and catchy and, therefore, can stick to customers’ minds more easily.

Many people don’t pay much attention to advertising, so it’s wise to give them something memorable in the shortest possible time.

A premium domain has a substantial competitive edge over non-premium domains in enticing customers to patronize a business.

Stripe.comAmazon.com, and Uber.com are examples of businesses whose highly brandable domain names have contributed greatly to their success.

Uber website screengrab to denote valuable domain name

Improved search engine ranking

The battle to rank high on search engines is very fierce. There are millions of websites competing for limited space on the first page, so you need every possible competitive advantage.

A premium domain is more likely to rank higher on search engines than other domains.

Investment

A domain name is not just a tool but also an asset. There would not be a big domain flipping market if this wasn’t true. The past two decades of commercial internet have seen many domain investments reap big windfalls for their owners.

A premium domain can appreciate in value over short periods of time due to high demand. Hence, it’s a proper medium to park some cash with hopes of getting a significant return.

Let’s say a business with a premium domain fails. That domain can be sold for a high price and give some comfort to the owners of the faltered business. Check out our guide to the most expensive domain names ever sold for an eye-opening introduction to this high-value world.

Blocks of gold bars denoting the value of a premium domain name

Is it worth it to buy a premium domain?

In many cases, buying premium domain names for your business can be a great decision. A good domain name corresponds to a solid online identity, which is valuable for any business.

The competition on the internet is intense, so you should strive to differentiate yourself with a premium domain name.

One of the best online business tactics is to buy a premium domain in a booming industry – mental health and artificial intelligence, for example. Such a domain is likely to bring about a great deal of organic growth for your business – or could have a phenomenal resale value.

Do domain names increase in value?

Very often, yes. A domain name you buy may not be in vogue at the moment, but no one is sure of what the future holds. That domain could be useful in a burgeoning industry, making an organization pay a big sum for it.

Another way for a domain to increase in value is if an established business decides to launch a product or rebrand with that name.

For example, when Facebook, the social media giant, rebranded to Meta last year, it had to buy the Meta.com domain name.

The price it paid for the domain wasn’t disclosed, but the company separately bought some trademarked assets relating to the name for $60 million, giving a hint of how valuable the domain was.

Laptop showing rising bar chart to denote growing value of domain names

How much is a premium domain name?

premium domain name can cost between hundreds and millions of dollars. There’s no definitive price range, as it mostly lies on arbitrary terms between the buyer and the seller.

If you’re buying premium domain names directly from a domain registrar, you should expect to pay a few hundred or thousands of dollars. It gets more expensive when there are direct negotiations involved and the value of the name is irrefutably higher.

Some domain owners demand tens or hundreds of thousands for their domains. We advise you to hire a professional domain broker if you’re to buy a premium domain name directly from the seller.

How to buy a premium domain name

You can buy a premium domain name directly from a domain registrar or the owner. Many registrars offer premium domains to their customers, e.g., GoDaddyDomain.com, and BuyDomains.

There are also sites specializing in auctioning expired or deleted domain names, e.g., Sedo.com.

To buy a premium domain name directly, you can sign up on a dedicated marketplace (NameProsAtom.com, etc.) linking sellers up with prospective buyers like you.

An alternative is to hire a domain broker to find the identity of an existing domain owner and negotiate a possible deal. There are many advantages to using a domain name brokerage service, including saving time and money.

Name Experts, for example, has access to a wide network of buyers and sellers. We’ll also handle the legal, escrow and negotiation on your behalf – resulting in a faster, hassle-free process that keeps you safe and protected.

 

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 premium domain names. Contact him at: [email protected]

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Escrow protects against: Sellers refusing to deliver a domain despite agreeing to do so. Buyers refusing to pay for a domain despite an agreement to buy it. Payment being made – but the domain not being transferred to the buyer. Secure payment is crucial in domain name transactions, and escrow services ensure that the financial exchange is safe and protected. In short, escrow ensures that both parties in a deal stick to their agreed terms. It is a mediator of the transaction and refuses to complete it until both parties act in good faith. How Does Escrow Work? 1. Agreement on price and deal The buyer and the seller negotiate and agree on how much is to be paid for a domain name or group of domain names. They also negotiate important factors like the date of payment, method of payment, and what currency to use. 2. Buyer places agreement with an escrow company With the deal terms drawn out, the buyer finds an escrow provider and deposits the payment with an escrow agent. Once the payment goes through, the buyer pays escrow company will notify the seller and tell them to transfer ownership of the domain name related to the escrow transaction. 3. Domain Name Is Transferred The seller will transfer the domain name to the buyer. The wire transfer procedure varies depending on the domain registrar, but both parties will work together to ensure a smooth transfer. It is crucial to involve legal counsel in domain transfers to secure the transaction and ensure compliance with legal requirements. 4. Domain Transfer Is Confirmed After the domain is transferred, the buyer will notify the seller and agree with the escrow company that the seller has fulfilled their part of the deal. 5. Payment Given To Seller With the domain transfer confirmed, the escrow company completes the escrow transaction by using a money order and sending the money deposited by the buyer to the seller. What fees are associated with using an escrow service? The escrow usually charges a commission on the value of the deal. Some may also charge a flat fee in addition to a commission. The exact commission may vary depending on the deal volume. Benefits of Using Escrow For Buyers and Sellers The benefits of using escrow for domain names include: Security: The escrow holds the money until all deal terms are fulfilled, so there are little chances of the buyer losing their money without getting the intended domain name. The buyer also feels more secure dealing with a trusted escrow company than with a stranger over the web. Additionally, escrow services safeguard domain transactions by holding funds and domain holder information, minimizing the risk of fraud. Assurance: The buyer is assured that they will get the domain they want, and the seller is assured of payment once the domain transfer is confirmed. Customer support: Escrow services usually offer customer support and can guide the buyer throughout the process of acquiring a domain name. Choosing the Right Escrow Services Selecting the right 3rd-party escrow provider for domain name transactions is crucial for a smooth and secure process. Start by looking for a reputable and licensed escrow company with a proven track record in handling domain name transactions. Evaluate their fees and payment terms to ensure they fit within your budget. Additionally, consider the quality of their customer service and support, as this can be invaluable if any issues arise during the transaction. A reliable escrow provider should offer a secure and transparent process to deposit funds, with clear contractual obligations and a well-defined escrow agreement. Research the company’s reputation online and read reviews from previous clients to ensure you are working with a trustworthy escrow company. Domain Name Transfer and Intellectual Property Transferring ownership of a domain name involves several steps and can be particularly complex when intellectual property rights are involved. A domain name can be considered intellectual property if it is trademarked, which can impact its value and transferability. Before proceeding with a domain name transfer, it is essential to conduct a clearance search to ensure the domain name does not infringe on any existing trademarks. Utilizing a domain name escrow provider can facilitate this process by ensuring that both parties fulfill their contractual obligations and that the domain name is transferred securely. This helps protect best interests of the buyer and the seller, ensuring a smooth and legally compliant transfer of the domain name. Alternatives To Using Escrow Attorney A licensed attorney can draft a sales contract that is legally binding for buyer and seller. If any party breaks the contract, they can be sued for damages in court. The attorney can also act as an escrow organization and only transfer money from the buyer to the seller if the terms of the contract are fulfilled. An attorney is crucial in selling domain names to ensure all legal aspects are covered, and the transaction is secure. Domain marketplace There are many marketplaces where you can acquire domain names. Here, the marketplace acts as a custodian of the domain and only the seller transfers it to the buyer after payment is confirmed, which is then given to the seller. Best Domain Name Escrow Services Escrow.com Escrow.com is the world’s largest online escrow service, and it has specific features for domain sales. The buyer can initiate the escrow request and provide the seller’s contact information for Escrow.com to get in touch. The buyer transfers the agreed sum to Escrow.com, and it is only when they confirm the domain has been successfully transferred that Escrow.com will disburse the money to the seller. Escrow.com charges 3.25% for deals between $0 and $5,000; 0.89% for deals between $5,001 and $25,000; and $162.5 + 0.25% for deals over $25,001. Sedo Domain Transfer Service Sedo is a popular domain name and website marketplace, especially useful for those looking to buy or sell domain names. Its domain transfer service puts it as a middleman between the buyer and the seller. Sedo receives the payment from the buyer and the domain name from the seller. When both ends are confirmed, Sedo transfers the domain to the buyer and the buyer sends the money to the seller. This service incurs a 3% fee on the domain purchase price, with a minimum of $60. Afternic Afternic is another popular domain name marketplace focused on high-value domains. It offers an escrow service to protect both the buyer and the seller. Afternic holds the agreed amount and only disburses it to the former owner or seller when the buyer has confirmed receipt of the domain. If either party breaks the deal terms, the sale will be canceled and the money given back to the buyer minus the escrow fee. The drawback here is that Afternic doesn’t charge escrow fees separately. It takes a 20% fee, which includes both sales and escrow commissions on all domains listed on its platform. Using an Escrow Service It is necessary to use an escrow service if you are paying a significant amount for a domain name and it helps protect you and the seller. If you need guidance in the domain buying process, including escrow, contact us for help. We have negotiated over $150 million in domain name sales and have over a decade of experience in domain name buying and transfers.   About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of NameExperts.com, 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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