The 3 Types of Domain Names and Common Domain Extensions

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JoeUddeme

JoeUddeme

The 3 Types of Domain Names and Common Domain Extensions

A domain name is an address you type into your web browser whenever you want to visit a website and is the most important property for every online business. While ‘domain name’ is an all encompassing term, a domain is actually made up of multiple parts.

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;

  1. Domain name: The name of the domain itself.
  2. Top-Level domain (TLD): The suffix that appears after the domain name, e.g., .COM and .NET.
  3. Subdomain: A domain that is part of another primary domain. It is also known as a third-level domain.
  4. 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.

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. 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 referring to a blog attached to the website.
  • Support.mywebsite.com leading 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.

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Understanding the Domain Name Scam

Protecting Against Domain Name Scams   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 and maintain their online identity. These domain name scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify them, such as recognizing phishing emails. The 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. The 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. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Watch out for fraudulent domain renewal notices that may look official but are not. Domain registrations often come with options for renewal or transfer, so explore these to avoid falling for scams. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly. Be aware of deceptive practices by companies that send official-looking letters from a domain registry, urging you to transfer your registrations under false pretenses.   Protecting Yourself from Domain Scams   Use a secure payment method to pay for domain name renewal. Recognizing legitimate renewal notices is essential to avoid unnecessary fees and potential loss of domain ownership for the customer. Verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your domain registrar company directly. Scammers often exploit the relationship with your existing registrar by suggesting that a transfer is merely a renewal process. Monitor your domain name registration and renewal dates to avoid missing important deadlines. Scammers use various methods, including urgent phone calls and deceptive emails, to execute a renewal scam. Use domain locking to prevent illegal transfers. Domain hijacking is another threat that can be mitigated by this measure. Registration scams typically manifest through fake renewal notices, creating confusion and unwarranted financial pressure. Keep your contact information private by using a domain name privacy service. Scammers may trick owners through fake offers, exploiting confusion around domain registration and renewal. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Fraudulent phishing scams often target website owners, using tactics to deceive them into believing they owe money or need to make changes to their domain or hosting services.   Understanding Domain Name Renewal Scam   A Domain name renewal scam is a type of intellectual property scam or confidence scam that target the owner. These scams can result in financial loss for businesses and individuals. The financial loss can be substantial, affecting both small businesses and large corporations. Domain name scams can take many forms, including domain slamming, false offers to buy or sell domains, and fake trademark protection. It’s essential to understand the different types of domain name scams to protect yourself and your online identity. Domain Registry of America is an example of a fake trademark protection service. They contact the website owner claiming to have a trademark right or warning someone else owns the rights to your name. Check your expiration date and make sure your domain information is protected so you don’t lose control of your asset. Register and renew for extended periods. Domain name scams often involve unscrupulous domain name registrars attempting to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, selling, listing, or converting a domain name. These scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify scam tactics. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly. Be able to recognize scammer tactics by paying attention to blog post and article updates. Customers should also consider adding two-factor authentication for all registered accounts.   What is a Domain Name Scam?   A domain name scam is a type of intellectual property scam or confidence scam that targets domain name owners. These scams involve unscrupulous individuals or companies attempting to trick domain owners into buying, selling, listing, or converting domains. The consequences can be severe, leading to financial loss for businesses and individuals, and even the loss of control over a domain name. Scammers often use deceptive tactics to make their offers or demands appear legitimate, preying on the lack of awareness among domain stakeholders.   Definition of domain name scams A domain name scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers deceive individuals or businesses into paying for fake registration services, overpriced renewals, or by impersonating legitimate registrars. It often involves phishing, domain hijacking, or misleading offers to trick victims into making unauthorized payments or losing control of their domain   Importance of awareness and prevention Awareness is the first line of defense against domain name scams. The website owner must be vigilant and proactive in protecting their assets. This means being cautious of unsolicited offers, verifying the authenticity of emails and letters, and keeping domain registration information up to date. By understanding the risks and taking preventative measures, website owners can safeguard themselves from getting scammed. Regularly monitoring domain status and using secure payment methods for renewals are also crucial steps in prevention.   Domain Registry and Scams   Domain renewal scams: fake notices and invoices Domain scams are a common tactic used by the scammer to trick the owner into paying for unnecessary services or transferring their site to a different registrar. These scams typically involve sending fake notices or invoices that claim the domain name is due for renewal. Often involving inflated prices, notices often appear to be from the a registry or a legitimate company, but they are actually from fraudsters posing as an internet registry Swindlers use various tactics to make these notices or invoices appear legitimate. They may include the domain owner’s contact information and registration details, creating a sense of urgency by claiming that the domain names will expire or be lost if the renewal fee is not paid immediately. 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. Be wary of notices or invoices that create a sense of urgency or demand payment for unnecessary services. By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, domain parties can protect themselves from scams and maintain control over their domain names.   Protecting Yourself from Domain Scams   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. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to domain scams and protect your online website identity for your domains.   Reporting Domain Scams to Your Domain Registrar   If you suspect that you have been a victim of a domain scam, it’s essential to report it to the relevant authorities. Here are some steps you can take: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the link provided. Share the information about the scam on social media to warn others. Use the social media links provided to share the post. Report the scam to your domain registrar company such as Network Solutions. Contact the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Complaint department and let them know about the letter or email. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) if the scammer is a business. By reporting domain scams, you can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam and bring the fraudsters to justice. Protecting Against Domain Name Scams   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 and maintain their online identity.   These domain name scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify them, such as recognizing phishing emails. The 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. The 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. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Watch out for fraudulent domain renewal notices that may look official but are not.   Domain registrations often come with options for renewal or transfer, so explore these to avoid falling for scams. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly.   Be aware of deceptive practices by companies that send official-looking letters from a domain registry, urging you to transfer your registrations under false pretenses.   Protecting Yourself from Domain Scams   Use a secure payment method to pay for domain name renewal. Recognizing legitimate renewal notices is essential to avoid unnecessary fees and potential loss of domain ownership for the customer.   Verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your domain registrar company directly. Scammers often exploit the relationship with your existing registrar by suggesting that a transfer is merely a renewal process.   Monitor your domain name registration and renewal dates to avoid missing important deadlines. Scammers use various methods, including urgent phone calls and deceptive emails, to execute a renewal scam. Use domain locking to prevent illegal transfers.   Domain hijacking is another threat that can be mitigated by this measure. Registration scams typically manifest through fake renewal notices, creating confusion and unwarranted financial pressure. Keep your contact information private by using a domain name privacy service.   Scammers may trick owners through fake offers, exploiting confusion around domain registration and renewal. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration.   Fraudulent phishing scams often target website owners, using tactics to deceive them into believing they owe money or need to make changes to their domain or hosting services.   Understanding Domain Name Renewal Scam   A Domain name renewal scam is a type of intellectual property scam or confidence scam that target the owner. These scams can result in financial loss for businesses and individuals. The financial loss can be substantial, affecting both small businesses and large corporations.   Domain name scams can take many forms, including domain slamming, false offers to buy or sell domains, and fake trademark protection. It’s essential to understand the different types of domain name scams to protect yourself and your online identity.   Domain Registry of America is an example of a fake trademark protection service. They contact the website owner claiming to have a trademark right or warning someone else owns the rights to your name.   Check your expiration date and make sure your domain information is protected so you don’t lose control of your asset. Register and renew for extended periods.   Domain name scams often involve unscrupulous domain name registrars attempting to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, selling, listing, or converting a domain name.   These scams can be difficult to spot, but there are ways to identify scam tactics. Be cautious of emails or letters that create a sense of urgency or threaten to cancel your domain name registration. Always verify the authenticity of the email or letter by contacting your registrar company directly.   Be able to recognize scammer tactics by paying attention to blog post and article updates. Customers should also consider adding two-factor authentication for all registered accounts.   What is a Domain Name Scam?   A domain name scam is a type of intellectual property scam or confidence scam that targets domain name owners. These scams involve unscrupulous individuals or companies attempting to trick domain owners into buying, selling, listing, or converting domains.   The consequences can be severe, leading to financial loss for businesses and individuals, and even the loss of control over a domain name. Scammers often use deceptive tactics to make their offers or demands appear legitimate, preying on the lack of awareness among domain stakeholders.   Definition of domain name scams   A domain name scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers deceive individuals or businesses into paying for fake registration services, overpriced renewals, or by impersonating legitimate registrars. It often involves phishing, domain hijacking, or misleading offers to trick victims into making unauthorized payments or losing control of their domain   Importance of awareness and prevention   Awareness is the first line of defense against domain name scams. The website owner must be vigilant and proactive in protecting their assets. This means being cautious of unsolicited offers, verifying the authenticity of emails and letters, and keeping domain registration information up to date.   By understanding the risks and taking preventative measures, website owners can safeguard themselves from getting scammed. Regularly monitoring domain status and using secure payment methods for renewals are also crucial steps in prevention.   Domain Registry and Scams   Domain renewal scams: fake notices and invoices   Domain scams are a common tactic used by the scammer to trick the owner into paying for unnecessary services or transferring their site to a different registrar.   These scams typically involve sending fake notices or invoices that claim the domain name is due for renewal. Often involving inflated prices, notices often appear to be from the a registry or a legitimate company, but they are actually from fraudsters posing as an internet registry   Swindlers use various tactics to make these notices or invoices appear legitimate. They may include the domain owner’s contact information and registration details, creating a sense of urgency by claiming that the domain names will expire or be lost if the renewal fee is not paid immediately.   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.   Be wary of notices or invoices that create a sense of urgency or demand payment for unnecessary services. By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, domain parties can protect themselves from scams and maintain control over their domain names.   Protecting Yourself from Domain Scams   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.   By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to domain scams and protect your online website identity for your domains.   Reporting Domain Scams to Your Domain Registrar   If you suspect that you have been a victim of a domain scam, it’s essential to report it to the relevant authorities. Here are some steps you can take:   Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the link provided. Share the information about the scam on social media to warn others. Use the social media links provided to share the post. Report the scam to your domain registrar company such as Network Solutions. Contact the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Complaint department and let them know about the letter or email. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) if the scammer is a business.   By reporting domain scams, you can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam and bring the fraudsters to justice.

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What is Domain Name Escrow & How Does it Work?

Escrow is an important thing to pay attention to when buying domain names, especially those of high value. This article will explain how domain name escrow works and the necessity of using a domain escrow 3rd-party during a domain name transaction 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. 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 often, the escrow process 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. 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, and 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 agree 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 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, then 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 $125 million in domain name sales and have over a decade of experience in domain name buying and transfers.

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Startup Domain Names : Buying the Right Domain Name

Having the right domain name for your startup sounds like common sense. However, it can be a challenging endeavor. Your organization name might not translate into a good domain name. Regardless of the challenges, it is absolutely essential that you have a fantastic domain name so that customers can find you, as well as help increase brand awareness. So how can you actually buy a good domain? Below are some suggestions that you’ll need to take into account while searching for that perfect name. Brainstorm Your Startup Domain Name When acquiring a domain, you need to start by doing some brainstorming.   What’s the name of your business? What services or products are you selling? What industry are you involved in? Develop five terms or phrases which can best answer those questions and can describe the domain name that you’d wish to acquire. For instance, if you wanted a domain name that involved “advertising,” you could use related terms like “online marketing,” “digital marketing,” “advertising,” or “sales marketing” as a starting point. While this may sound obvious, you also need to remember that your domain name ought to be related to your organization. For example, if your company name is Joe’s Electronics then you would want a domain name to reflect that name. If the website was called joesawesomewebsite.com, clients would not know that it was really an electronics site, which means you’re losing out on business because customers can’t find you. Keep Your Domain Name Brief, Unique and Easy to Remember While brainstorming domains you also wish to bear in mind that the shorter the better. Shorter domain names aren’t just easy to type, but also easier to remember. If you heard the domain from a friend or on the radio, would you be able to spell it correctly? In the end, settle on a domain that’s unique. The last thing that you need is for your domain to get confused with another site. This will also be certain that you won’t encounter any ownership issues. Research your Startup Domain Name Now that you’ve found a domain that fits your brand, you need to be 100 percent sure that it is available. One possible option would be to explore checkdomain.com, Domjax or copyright.gov. But that does not mean that you can’t find a domain name which is not similar. Just about all short. Com domain names are accepted. This means that they are likely to get premium cost to them if you are looking to purchase them. Check the whois information on the domain you are trying to buy. Add Modest Words Before or After Your Domain While you should keep away from pluralizing or hyphenating words since that will create confusion–and phrases such as “best” or “top,” there could be some minor alterations to make your domain stand out. Let’s say you have a car rental business located in Phoenix. You could search for a domain name that was on the line of phoenixrentals.com. Use Other Domain Extensions/Endings Ideally, you would like to secure a. com domain. It’s the best option for branding and type-in-traffic, also being ideal for any site. However, there are other endings or extensions that could benefit your brand as well. Take the .info extension for example. It could be an alternative if you are running an informational site. Another choice is to localize your own domain. If your site is based out of the United Kingdom, you would want to utilize the .uk extension. Not only does this open the door to additional possibilities, in addition, it differentiates you from an international website. A website like name.com is an excellent resource for searching for possible domains and extensions. View Auctions for Domain Names You can also hit auctions to purchase a domain name which was/is previously owned. There are numerous sites that have been acquired by investors as a means to monetize a site. They will purchase a domain and fill the website with lists and links to other sites simply for lead generation. Contact A Domain Broker There are other instances when somebody had a domain and did not do anything to it or the business didn’t work out and the domain name has expired. In cases like this, the domain name is now available for purchase. If your preferred domain is not up on an auction, then you could attempt to work with a domain name expert or broker to contact the current owner. If you decide to go it alone, make sure you contact the owner and gather the information that can assist you in ultimately determining if this is the right asset for your brand. If the owner is considering selling the domain, you want to do a little investigating to learn how much it’s worth. Our domain broker services can complete a professional domain name appraisal to determine how much traffic is visiting the website. It may not be the only element in determining the site’s value, but it’s a powerful indicator.

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