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
Picking a domain name for your brand should be given the respect it deserves. After all, says NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme, it could make or break your business.
Among the most crucial decisions in establishing an internet presence is picking a domain name to buy.
Ignore the trends and fads of the day and pick a name that makes sense for your company or subject matter a decade from now.
When you choose well, you can rest assured that you have a valuable piece of digital real estate that is woven into the overall success of your business.
Here are 10 suggestions that will help you to make a fantastic domain name purchase.
Just a small amount of research can go a long way when buying a domain name. Find similar websites and check out your competitors’ domains using a website like Compete.com.
Use dnpric to determine when a domain name was last sold, for how much, and the web hosting agent. You can search by keyword, which will help provide the popularity of particular words in a domain name.
While any research is better than none, plan to put aside days or even weeks to properly research the right name for your brand – something that will help it to grow. If you need some guidance and an insider’s eye, an experienced domain broker can help you come up with – and secure – the perfect name for you.
Even if you’re planning on optimizing the website for search engines so that it can be found when people search for “used boats in Dallas” or “hair styling near me”, you still need a domain name that individuals can remember and type.
Anyone hearing your name needs to know how to get right to your business without you having to say things like “the number 4,” and “dash-dash.”
It’s also wise to avoid words that have more than one spelling if your customers are likely to be confused and type in the wrong name. Alternately, you can purchase both versions of the name and guide visitors to the one you prefer – safe in the knowledge that your backup site will scoop them up if they make a mistake.
Avoid anything mysterious like “voodrifunk” or “flambinastic” that might sound fun but is so out there that people will have difficulty remembering it.
Stay away from slang terms and instead select a name that will continue to be meaningful in ten years. This may also help your title be known and remembered by non-native speakers.
Even if you don’t intend to conduct business globally, this strategy can help your neighborhood audience also.
The longer your domain name is, the harder it is for people to remember. And the greater chance you have of someone misspelling some of the words.
Most good single word domains are long gone (read “what do to if the domain name you want is taken“), but it’s still possible to avoid super-long alternatives by getting a little creative.
For those who have one word in mind that’s not available, consider adding an adjective or verb in front of it and seeing if those variations are available. Perhaps not “GetAppple”, as that would likely lead to a world of trademark issues and other legalities, but you get the idea.
Think of your domain name as part of your brand, and be sure it matches how you want visitors to consider you.
Most individuals assume that a domain name ends in .com – it’s just become the default for most of us. If you purchase a domain name with a different extension or “TLD” as they are known (.net, .info, .org, etc.), you will have some additional work to do if you want to get people to keep you in mind.
However, do not automatically assume you should only ever buy .com domains. Many websites have done very well with different extensions – such as last.fm
Even if you’re not intentionally trying to create confusion, you are most likely to face some legal challenges by purchasing trademarked terms in your domain name. To be safe, look for U.S. trademarks at www.uspto.gov and be sure no one owns a trademark on the name you’re contemplating.
Even if the wording, name or expression in the domain name that has caught your eye is not trademarked, do not buy it if is is merely a variation of some other domain name.
This applies to plurals if the singular is taken (mediatemple.net vs. mediatemples.net) and hyphenating a term (media-temple.net).
If you have to go with hyphens, do not buy a domain with more than three of them. It is just too messy.
People may get confused about whether the amount is a digit (3) or a word (three). If you would like a number on your domain name because there’s a number in your organization’s name, purchase both versions (word and digit ) and redirect one to the other.
When you’ve got a name picked out, see if this word or phrase can be found on social networking sites like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and Tumblr.
Even if you don’t intend on using social media straight away, you will want the option when you are ready, and it is easiest if you can use the identical phrase on each website.
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]
From Amazon to Coca-Cola, strong brand names have helped propel businesses to stratospheric heights for centuries. Here’s how to find one that will take yours to the next level and ensure you have a domain name that supports it.
Congratulations! You bought a domain name. But now what? In this post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains what to do next to keep your domain name protected – and extract its full value. “I have a domain name. Now what?” – this is a very common question people ask. The fact is, a domain name is pointless if you don’t do anything with it! After buying a domain, many things will run through your mind, and choosing how to use it productively can be confusing. However, don’t fret. This article will guide you on what to do after purchasing a domain name. Do it right, and you can leverage your domain name and build it into an attractive asset. Do it wrong, and you’ll waste 20 bucks on the temporary ownership of something you can’t even touch. Key takeaways: What is web hosting and why do you need it? Building a website and a brand you can leverage Attracting online customers to your new business Planning your exit strategy Before we proceed, let’s run through how to buy a domain in the first place. Acquiring Your Domain Buying a domain has become more simple than ever. In 2025, it’s just a few clicks and a swift online transaction. The first step is to choose a domain name you like that is relevant to your business. Afterwards, you can check if it’s available to buy immediately. Find a domain registrar accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization overseeing all domain names on the Internet. If the domain name is available, you can purchase it immediately from an accredited registrar. The price depends on how high the demand for the domain name is. If the domain name has already been claimed, you need a different approach. You can check domain marketplaces to see if the owner has possibly listed the domain for sale (see our list of the best domain marketplaces). Otherwise, you can possibly contact the owner to negotiate a deal. If this is out of your comfort zone and you have a high-value premium domain name in your sights, check out an experienced domain name broker with a great track record. For more details on securing a domain name, check our in-depth article about how to buy a domain name. What To Do After Buying A Domain Name You have acquired a domain name and have taken the first step in building your web presence. There are many other things to do after buying the domain, and we’ll outline them below. 1. Get Web Hosting Setup After buying a domain name, the first thing to consider is hosting a website with it. You’ll need a web hosting package from a reliable company. The company will host your website on its servers for a fee, and your website will be accessible once someone types your domain name into their web browser. Web hosting has become a walk in the park, at least in terms of getting started. You can get reliable web hosting for a few dollars monthly, and the price keeps going down as computing capacity increases around the globe. Sometimes, a domain registrar also offers web hosting services, meaning you can buy a domain name and a hosting package from the same platform. Otherwise, you can buy them separately and point your domain name to your hosting company’s servers. 2. Connect Your Domain to Your Hosting Connecting your domain to your hosting provider is relatively easy. You can do it via two methods: Changing the nameservers to those of your web hosting provider. Adding a DNS A record. Either method involves changing the domain name system (DNS) configurations from your domain registrar. Your registrar allows you to directly change the nameservers from its default to the one provided by your hosting company. You can also point your domain to the hosting company’s nameservers by adding a DNS A record. It’s the same action but with two different approaches. 3. Create an Email Address with Your New Domain Instead of using a common email address ending with “Gmail.com,” “Yahoo.com,” or “AOL.com,” you can use one ending with your custom domain name. It makes you look more professional and shows people you’re serious about your business. Many domain registrars also offer email hosting, so you can pay for it and create custom emails directly. Otherwise, you can choose an external email provider and change your domain’s DNS MX records to point to its mail servers. 4. Build Your Website and Brand The best way to put a domain to work is to create a website with it. It can be any type of website, such as a blog or online store. Creating a website is usually complex, but there are ready-made tools that make the process as easy as it can get. You can use a designated website builder like WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, etc. WordPress is the most common tool for building websites because of its versatility. You can use it to create virtually any type of website you want. Follow these steps: Install WordPress on your web hosting account (many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation). Afterwards, log into your WordPress dashboard to begin customizing your website.
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. 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 Always 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, so don’t ignore every email you received about your names. Just treat them all with caution. 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. Fraudulent phishing scams often target website owners, too, 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 Scams 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 that 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. While you can’t technically buy a domain name forever, you can 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, or hiring a domain name consultant for guidance. 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 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. 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. 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). 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. 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]
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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