How To Sell Your Website Or Domain Name For A Good Price
How to make a profit by selling a valuable website name.
Theres gold in web site domain names. You probably saw the headlines when business.com changed hands for $7.5 million. Wine.com went for big bucks, too. And who can forget when AltaVista had to shuck out millions to buy their name from the original owner?
On the other hand, you may have surfed some of the auction sites to find perfectly good domains going for peanuts. Even $25 seemed like a starting bid no one wanted to touch.
So how do you cash in on the domain name trading craze? Here are a few simple tips to get you on the right track to E-real estate profits.Finding Good Unclaimed NamesNo doubt about it. It is harder these days to find killer domain names that arent taken. A recent survey showed that of the 25,000 words we commonly use in the English language, more than 93 percent are already registered as domain names.
Fortunately, language experts have come up with some fresh ideas we can use to uncover hidden gems. First look for short, simple names that instantly tell what your business is about. The dentist who got dentalhelp.com had the right idea.If you cant get the one word that describes you, add a prefix or suffix onto it. eDental, DentalX, Dental123 are easy to remember.
Some very smart businesses have created previously unknown words based on the simple term that describes them. For example, none of us have a problem remembering Virtualis.com, even though it is a word that previously didnt exist.
What Is A Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a service that sells domain names. When you register a domain name, you dont really own it, rather you rent or lease it, which is why you have to renew your domain name every year or term. There are some add-on services you should know about before you choose a domain registrar.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Domain Name
CEO of VPN.com. We help companies, entrepreneurs, politicians and athletes protect their brand online.
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How much does it cost to buy a domain name? How much does a domain name cost? How do you choose the best domain for your website? In this article, well answer those questions and more, so you can find the best domain name for your business.
A domain is essentially what people type into their browser to get to your site. You need one if you want other people to be able to find and visit your site. And while there are plenty of free options out there, they may not be ideal for all kinds of websites. Thats why many webmasters turn to paid domains insteadbut how do you know which ones are worth the investment? Well take a look at some of the factors that go into picking the right domain, as well as how much they typically cost.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Domain Name?
How much youll end up spending on a domain name will depend on a few factors, such as the domain extension and the registrar you choose. Generally speaking, most domains will cost anywhere from $5 to $50 per year. However, there are some exceptions. For example, premium domain names can sometimes cost thousands or even millions of dollars.
How To Choose The Best Domain For Your Website
Read Also: How Can I Create My Own Domain For Free
How To Register A Domain Name
There are many domain registrars companies that sell domain names and help with the domain name registration process. Different registrars will offer different services, prices, and packages.
Due to the number of online websites, domain name registrations are overseen by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers . As a non-profit organization, ICANN has databases for all the available domain names and where they point to.
To safely register a domain, use an ICANN accredited registrars, such as Hostinger, , or Hover.
The ICANN database stores all related information of a domain name. In other words, an ICANN accredited registrar has the permission to change all your multiple domains information in the database on your behalf.
Another way to register a domain name is using a website builder. Some website builders integrate registering a domain as part of the sign-up process. Its a popular option for beginners who dont want the hassle of finding the best domain registrar.
The process of buying a domain name can differentiate depending on the registrar that you choose. Therefore, dont forget to consider every detail before selecting the right domain name registrar.
Put The Domain Name Up For Sale
With pricing all sorted out, the next step in how to sell your domain name is to put it up for sale. To do so, especially if youre interested in how to sell a domain name fast, you need to create a For Sale landing page.
Why? Its simple. When someone is looking for a domain name to buy, they usually type it into their browser to see if its available. If you have a large message saying This domain name is for sale along with your contact info, the potential buyer will know its available and be able to reach out to you.
It may not necessarily be the best way to sell a domain name as you might have better luck listing it with the domain marketplaces like Sedo or Afternic, but in situations like this, it could keep you from losing out on a great selling opportunity.
There are a number of ways to create a For Sale landing page. You can create your own using any landing page builder software, or you could use one of the For Sale landing pages available at Sedo, Afternic, or one of the other domain marketplaces.
Just know, if you go the latter route, youll have to pay a 10-30 percent commission on the sale price of the domain, even if you acquired the buyer directly from the landing page and not the marketplace.
Another option is to use Efty or another commission-free domain selling platform. The landing pages on these platforms are specifically optimized to sell domains.
Recommended Reading: Who To Buy Domain Name From
How Much Does A Domain Name Really Cost
Last updated on March 26th, 2021 by Editorial Staff | Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how WPBeginner is funded, why it matters, and how you can support us.
If you have ever tried to register a domain name before, then you have likely seen a wide-variety of prices ranging from $9 to several thousand dollars.
The cost of a domain name varies based on the domain extension , domain registrar, availability, and few other factors.
Apart from new domain names, you can also buy premium domain names from someone else who has registered it before you. Domain name investors often register premium domain names that are shorter, brandable, and easy to remember for the sole purpose of reselling.
In this article, well explain how much does a domain name really costs. Well also show you different ways to buy a domain name including a way to get one for free.
Since this is a comprehensive guide on domain name costs, we have broken it down into few sections:
How Much Does a New Domain Name Cost?
Buying a new domain name would typically cost you anywhere between $9 and $14.99 per year. However, these prices may differ based on the domain extension or the domain registrar you choose.
If you are starting a new website, then we recommend using Bluehost. They are one of the top web hosting companies in the world.
Hidden Costs of a Domain Name
The Cost Of A Domain Depends On What You Need
Is it without a doubt that domain names are important to your businesss success on the internet . In todays digital landscape, unless you are looking for an aftermarket domain and have zero flexibility in your name choice, then there is no reason the cost of your domain should drain your wallet. For a select few customers, the price is going to be high. For most of us, we should not expect to pay more than $20 annually.
With that being said, remember to look for hidden fees, discount scams, and ensure that there is no sneaky language in the terms of the agreement.
Don’t Miss: How To See If A Website Domain Is Available
How Much Does It Cost To Register A Domain Name
Registering a domain name involves the initial cost to secure your chosen domain name, along with additional charges for privacy protection and renewals so that you can continue to own it.
For example, domain name prices are often in the £7-12 per year price bracket. Renewals can be charged at the same amount as registrations, as is the case with A2 Hosting. Or, they can incur a higher fee, such as Domain.com, which charges $9.99 per year to register a .com domain name and $13.99 per year to renew it.
Hidden Costs Of Domain Names
Domain name registrars are similar to all other companies out there. They all rely on the fine print to get more money for their services, just like any other IT company. In other words, buying a domain name isnt without its downsides, and in this case, its the hidden costs that you should be worrying about.
Before you make a purchase, it is recommended to inspect the fine print. Companies selling domains create their prices with the main goal to lure in customers. While different domain name providers have different prices, there are always hidden fees and additional costs that they somehow forget to mention.
You can avoid these by carefully going through the terms of service or the fine print. The prices you see are usually for a year only. After that, the pricing changes. Some providers will try to sell you additional features or services or even charge you for additional TLDs that you never requested.
Keep an eye on domain name registrars that offer their services at the lowest prices, as these usually involve hidden fees, as well as extra charges for renewals.
Read Also: How Do I Know If A Domain Name Is Available
Verdict On Who The Best Domain Registrar Is
Naturally, theres no single best domain registrar across the board. Some companies are always going to be better than the other ones, depending on your individual needs and requirements.
Still, here are a couple of quick recommendations from the WebsiteSetup team based on the companies reviewed above:
Comparison Table
How To Negotiate The Price Of A Pricey Premium Domain
Buying a domain at the asking price? That’s like buying a used car at the asking price. Doing your homework pays off.
Entrepreneur
Your domain name is your brand. Indeed, very few brands these days can get away with an off-beat domain name or a one that doesn’t reflect their company. In fact, many top brands are built off their domain name rather than the other way around and more than one company has been named after the domain it picked up.
It should come as no surprise, then, that top-tier domain names cost a lot of money. Cars.com holds the record for most valuable, valued at a whopping $872 million.
Related: Why I Spent $1.5 Million on Our Domain
Now I certainly don’t expect most startups or growing companies to spring for a multi-million dollar domain name, but it’s absolutely not uncommon for a good domain to go for tens of thousands of dollars. In internet terms, the cost is akin to buying a house. It’s often the single largest purchase a brand will make, and it’s where your own brand will live for years or decades to come.
So, how do you make sure you’re getting the best deal on your domain name? Having gone through the process several times myself, I offer the following tips.
Read Also: What Does A Domain Do
Domain Pricing On Site Builders
Site builders are those services that do it all:
- They let you build a website yourself .
- They host the website.
- The vast majority of them will let you buy domain names as well.
Pros:
- Again, its often convenient to have everything in one place, and the site builder usually handles all the technical stuff.
- Almost all site builders offer free subdomains to start with.
- Not sure what a subdomain is? Weve got you covered.
Cons:
- Domain prices on site builders are often a little higher than on domain registrars but definitely more standardized compared to hosting companies.
- You may or may not have full control over your domain and how it works.
Observations
- All Jimdo domains are 20 euros per year, but there are not a lot of TLD choices. Depending on the plan, you can get a free domain for the first year.
Shopifys domain pricing is very what you see is what you get, with no hidden fees. And its definitely one of the more affordable places to get a .store or .shop domain.
- Square Online is only available in a few select countries. The list is expanding, but customers all over the globe should take note.
- While WordPress has low initial prices, there are super-high renewal prices.
- Zyros first-year prices are also lower, though the renewals are not as expensive as WordPress.
Note: The table below includes the name of the cheapest free plan on every site builder that offers a free domain for the first year.
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How To Find Available Domains
Whether youre just starting to look or you need a replacement for an existing domain name, there are a few ways to explore your options. You might start by doing some brainstorming based on keywords that are related to your business or website.
Youll generally want to keep your domain name simple, to avoid misspellings and confusion. A search tool can come in handy here. You can enter your ideas in our domain search tool to learn about availability and pricing. Youll also get suggestions for related domains, which can be helpful when your first choice is unavailable.
This tool also enables you to move right on to the purchase phase if your desired name is available.
Some rules of thumb to keep in mind as you shop for a domain name are:
- Buy a .com domain unless you have a good reason not to . To learn more about your options, check out our guide to new top-level domains.
- Short domains are generally best. However, short doesnt always mean simple. Youll want to strike a balance between length and memorability.
- Dont forget to research the domain name. Youll want to make sure that your brand and domain names dont infringe on any trademarks and that there isnt a negative history associated with the domain. Its also important to note that many registrars dont allow users to register domains related to tragic events or disasters. For example, NameCheap restricted the registration of domains with COVID-19 related terms, such as coronavirus, n95, or covid, to combat fraud.
Recommended Reading: How To Find The Domain Host Of A Website
Tips For Choosing A Domain Name
Because .com is so popular, you may have difficulty finding your business name available as a .com. You can try one of the more obscure extensions, such as .info, .store, .shop or any other of the hundreds available. If youre set on getting a .com, though, consider using modifications on your business name.
Lets assume ghostlycastle.com is not available, and then try these changes:
- Add articles, such as a the or an
- Try adding another word to your domain
- Possibly include a hyphen
Disclaimer: Its worth noting that many of the domain registrars we include in our list of the best domain name registrars are subsidiaries of Endurance International Group , including Bluehost, HostGator, Domain.com and BuyDomains. The fact that theyre all under one umbrella should not affect the service you receive for domain registration, but its good to know.
Domain Prices For High
High-value domains come in two varieties: those that include incredibly common and highly desired keywords and those already owned by domain resellers.
For example, I already mentioned that CutePuppies.com would have a high domain value, as you can see in this screenshot:
But paying nearly $3,000 for a domain is just the tip of the iceberg. The highest domain sale to date was for Cars.com, which was sold for $872 million. Not every domain reseller in the world will get so lucky, but thats how big this business can get.
Domain resellers work a bit like stock brokers. They try to guess which domains will become super popular in a particular region or industry and buy all the best ones. Then, if everything goes right, they sell those domains for a profit.
This is why a domain with less-common keywords can be more expensive than expected, as a reseller may be anticipating demand. This means prices can range from $50 to thousands. If theres a specific domain you absolutely want from a reseller, youll just have to check.
Recommended Reading: When Does A Domain Expire
Why $10000 For A Domain Name Is Still Cheap
Domain names are now an integral part of any business. Whether the use is primarily for email, a company website, or part of a marketing campaign anyone starting a business must secure a domain name.
The difference between a domain name and other marketing expenses however is you are acquiring a presence which help future customers define you, not leasing one.
Owning a premium domain has become expensive with the average price of a domain name hovering around anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 however how expensive is this?
If one were to compare the price of almost anything compared to its original cost could we not classify everything as expensive. A $3 bottled water costs how much to produce? Or a $300 pair of designer sunglasses which probably cost less than a mocha to manufacture?
Somebody has your name and they are squatting on it?
Unless you have a trademark on the domain or someone is intentionally capitalizing on monetizing a typo of your trademark no one really is a squatter in the domain name industry. Whats even more interesting is for those people who complain that somebody has their name, but lack a trademark or other legal form of similar use, is almost the equivalent to saying that your grandmother owns my dream home except now they are inferring that your grandmother is this evil natured women and not a smart investor. Real estate ownership is acceptable by public opinion and so should be domain name investing.
How much is a domain name worth?
Nothing.