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]
Last updated: 17 October, 2025. What’s the best way to negotiate a premium domain name purchase? In this blog post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme shares the top strategies domain brokers use to secure high-value names at great prices.
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.
Memo to Chinese domain name investors: NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme thinks you’re missing a trick if you limit your portfolio to local names. Most Chinese investors tend to shy away from Western-type domain names as they don’t have meaning in mainland China – names that contain vowels and the letter “v” in particular. Are they limiting their long-term growth potential? Some would say sticking with Chinese domains is a safer investment. As seasoned domain name brokers, however, we disagree. Here’s why… Key Takeaways New TLDs are not a good long-term play Aftermarket prices for .com names remain high Work with a broker if you need help with domain portfolio management Background – understanding the Chinese domain name marketplace For those of you that follow the domain investor market, specifically in China, you can see all types of newly minted investors looking for the next great domain name investment. Most Chinese investors are focused on the domain names that have relevance inside of mainland China. The most popular investments in China are the short acronym domain, or simple numeric domain names as they translate to meaning to the Chinese culture. Some examples include the following (N = number; L = letter): 15.com (NN.com) 123.com (NNN.com) TR.com (LL.com) TYPL.com (LLLL.com) 6N.com (LN.com) N6.com (NL.com Chinese domain investment trends As domain investments continue to increase in China, we are seeing many investors branching out into some of the newer GTLD extensions as alternative investments including; .club, .top, .wang. They are acquiring these names for much lower costs than the typical .com investment. Is that a solid investment? We say: no. The Chinese investor is savvy, but they are limiting their investment opportunity. In most instances, domain investors in China are only focused on these types of names because they create liquidity and are very attractive to the Chinese on a quick-flip model (check out our guide to domain name investing). Additionally, the Chinese investor should look at the plethora of available .com domain name inventory on the aftermarket. Tons of fantastic domain inventory is readily available. Short, generic and easy to spell English words that are solid investments. The saturation of the internet continues to precipitously grow year-over-year, with 78% of the Chinese population now online. When you do the math, it’s easy to see the longer-term opportunity. Should you limit yourself as an investor? Not with the .com market stronger than ever – with fantastic acquisition opportunities and names that ultimately have a global appeal and market reach. We believe domain investors in China will start to acquire short, generic .com domains as trillions of dollars are available for private Chinese investors. Way back in 2017, George Kirikos had a fantastic post on Twitter, referencing 12,000 startups being created every day in China. The domain investor continues to evolve and grow. Investors should look at the longer-term investment opportunity and acquire names that are globally acceptable and not limited to mainland China. How a domain broker can help Friends in the right places are always good to have, and most international domain brokers would gladly help Chinese companies and individuals who want to buy domain names. Domain brokers help buyers of any nationality to understand current market trends and navigate the sometimes complex world of domain acquisitions. NameExperts.com is one of the world’s best-known brokerages, offering personalized boutique services that include domain name strategy, portfolio management, negotiation and stealth acquisitions. 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. He advises clients globally. 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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