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
Domain names are one of the foundations of every global brand – they’re your calling card online. In this post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains how they work and how to secure the right one for your business.
You probably know more domain names than phone numbers these days. Think of all the news sites you know the address of – plus Amazon, Apple and all those big brands whose website URLs you can guess because nine times out of ten, it is their brand name + .com.
While the world of domain names is easy and familiar at face value, behind the scenes, there’s a lot more going on.
If you’re getting ready to buy a premium domain name – one costing in the thousands that will be memorable and potentially valuable for a business in the long term – you need to have a solid grasp of what you’re getting into.
To stop you from confusing domain names with websites or even website hosting services, this post is a great place to start.
Key Takeaways
To put it simply, a domain name is the address of your website. It is the phrase or word that you will type into your URL bar of your browser to find your website. For example, our website is https://nameexperts.com/
You can purchase domain names through a domain registrar, through a hosting provider, or let a domain name broker help you.
You can’t really answer the question, “What is a domain name?” without addressing DNS. Domain names are part of a large network called the Domain Name System (DNS) and it is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for management and maintenance of the DNS, as well as regulating domain registrars.
When you type a domain name into your browser, your computer will check if you’ve previously looked at that domain. If not, then your browser will contact the local DNS server to pull it up.
Your local DNS server breaks down the domain name into sections. We’ll use our name again as an example. There are three parts to nameexperts.com – www., nameexperts, and .com. The .com is known as a top level domain (TLD) and the local DNS server will search for this section first, and then serves to find all the details of your domain name and send that information back to the browser you’re using.
There are obviously a lot more technical steps to it, but that’s the basics of how the DNS works. Let’s talk more about what you really need to know – what types of domain name extensions are available.
All domain names are made up of a website name (nameexperts), and a top level domain (.com). Though the extensions can vary, we think it is useful to know the differences between the types of top-level domains available so that when it’s time to choose your domain name, you choose the right one.
The two types we are going to talk about today are Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) and Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs).
Normally, the best course of action is to choose a reputable TLD like .com, .net, or .org. But because these are so popular, there are millions of domain names that have been registered to date. So the name you want might be taken (read our post: “How to buy a domain owned by someone else”) – or it may be hard to find a name that works.
Here are some of the most generic TLDs:
In addition to gTLDs, there are also some top level domains that are sponsored by organizations or agencies for very specific and often exclusive use.
Here are some examples you’ll recognize:
We thought we should also mention subdomains. A subdomain is also known as a third level domain and is an extra part of a domain name. They are viewed as separate websites by the search engines, so creating subdomains can help improve your site’s SEO. Specifically, a good time to use a subdomain is for a blog. It might look like https://blog.nameexperts.com.
Now that we’ve answered what is a domain name, we want to help you choose a strong domain name that accurately reflects your business. Ideally, you want to be easy for your target market to remember and be something that is timeless.
Your domain name broker can help you find the perfect domain name and get you started with the process that goes along with it.
Begin by doing some research on keywords that are relevant for your business. Whether it’s the name of your business or another keyword that relates to your business and you want to rank for it, this type of domain name will help improve your site’s SEO (search engine optimization).
Another tip is to keep your domain short and memorable. You want it to stand out but be easy to remember – try to keep it to three words or less.
You also want to make sure you avoid numbers and hyphens. People won’t remember where they go and they might mistype. Which leads us into another tip for choosing your domain name, make sure it is easy to spell.
Shy away from words with multiple spelling variations or one that might be difficult to pronounce. Think long term. You want a domain name that supports the growth of your business and will last for years to come. Changing your domain name later can really hurt your business.
Getting your domain name right is crucial for your business or organization. It can help define your brand and form a lasting impression on your audience.
Do your research, and then if you’re serious about securing a seemingly unavailable name, reach out to a domain broker. We can help you buy and register a name – even if it belongs to someone else.
We can also advise on strong alternative names for your business. NameExperts.com has a selection of highly commercial names available for sale at any time. At the time of writing, these included eight.com, proud.com, fate.com and nickel.com.
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]
Updated for 2026 | Securing the perfect domain is crucial for setting your business apart –and that’s where domain name brokers come in. In this comprehensive review, domain industry expert Joe Uddeme highlights 10 of the best domain name brokerage services and explains their pros and cons.
Last updated: 18 October, 2025 Choosing a great business name for your brand comes with a catch: you also need a matching web address that will work for you. Domain name expert Joe Uddeme shares his tips for securing brand names that resonate – and for making sure your online presence is unbeatable, too. Are you looking to buy business domain names for your startup? In this article, we’ll explore where to buy them, the steps to secure the ideal name, and why a good business name can make all the difference for a startup with big ambitions. In many instances, the domain name for a startup business name you have settled on simply won’t be available. Or at least at face value, that appears to be the case. However, dealing with a domain name broker can make a world of difference: a skilled broker can often snap up the name you need at a price that works for everyone. We’re here to make the impossible possible! If you’re new to buying business names, why not check out our post about domain name valuations – or get in touch to find out how we can help. Key Takeaways A strong business name enhances brand identity, recognition, and customer loyalty, playing a crucial role in a startup’s success. Legal protection through trademark registration safeguards a business name, preventing infringement and ensuring exclusive rights. Choosing a unique, memorable business name that reflects company values and accommodates future growth is vital for long-term success. Why Buying a Business Name Matters
Domain brokers like NameExperts.com help clients buy ‘premium’ domains – but what is a premium name, and how do you get one? In this post, domain name specialist Joe Uddeme lifts the lid on high-value web addresses. Imagine a business today that didn’t have a website. Seems almost inconceivable, right? The internet is one of a business’ primary channels to entice potential customers, meaning any organization that doesn’t have an online presence is massively missing out. The best way to showcase yourself online is by having a website stating clearly what you or your organization offers. And the way to do that? With a premium domain name. The domain name is how people will find you on the web, so unless you strike it luck and some cheap random jumble of letters you’ve bought as a domain name suddenly becomes in vogue, you’ll need to dig deep and buy a premium domain name. But what are the elements of a premium domain – and how much are you going to have to pay? Read on for the full details. Key Takeaways Understanding what premium means in the domain name world Elements of a premium domain How to buy a premium domain name Why you should buy a premium domain What are Premium Domains? Premium domain names are high-quality domain names, giving you greater recognition on the internet. They’re often short, catchy, and memorable. They’re the domain names that people are likely to search for and trust over other names. A premium domain name would go a long way in drawing organic traffic to your website. They’re usually costly, but one of the best investments you can make. It’s not a coincidence that most of the successful online businesses we know have premium domain names – see Stripe.com, Amazon.com, Google.com and other big-hitters.
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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