Are you looking for the best places to find premium domain names for sale?
There are many domain name registrars out there. However, not all of them offer you the best tools to find the perfect domain name. Some even try their best to sell you lesser-known domain extensions (not .com or .net) at cheaper rates.
In this article, we will share the best places to find a domain name for sale including new, expired, and premium domain names. We’ll also share expert tips on how to do due diligence when buying a premium domain name.
Domain Name Registrars
The first place to look for a domain name is by using a domain search tool.
We recommend starting with our free business name generator tool to look for domain names and generate new ideas at the same time.
Alternatively, you can do the domain research through a domain name registrar. These are the companies allowed by ICANN to sell domain names to the general public.
However, not all domain registrars are the same.
Some try to aggressively upsell other services that you may not need. Others try to lock you in by making it difficult to transfer your domain name.
This makes it difficult for beginners to research domain names and find a high-quality web address to start a blog or make a business website.
Below are the providers that we use and recommend.
1. Domain.com
Domain.com is the best domain name registrar on the market. It has a fast and simple domain search tool that helps you easily find a domain name available for sale.
They offer all top-level domain names at very competitive pricing for newer domain names.
If you are looking for domain names on sale, then simply click on the ‘Premium Domains’ tab to find unique, brandable, and shorter domain names.
Premium names are typically more expensive, but you get a better selection to choose from.
Domain.com makes it easier to manage your domains using a simpler domain management area. From there, you can point your domain name to any web hosting company and start making a website.
2. Network Solutions
Network Solutions is one of the most popular domain registrars on the planet with over 7 million domains registered on their platform.
Aside from allowing you to register new domains with popular extensions like .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, and basically all other niche TLDs, they also allow you to buy premium domain names for sale on their platform.
To purchase a premium domain name for sale, simply click on the Premium Domain Names link from the Domains menu dropdown.
Once you’re on the premium domains page, you can simply search the keyword, and it will show you a list of premium domains that are available for sale.
These domains are generally higher priced than new registrations, and Network Solutions specifically states that they don’t negotiate on premium domain prices.
However, if you’re looking for new domain registration, you can use our Network Solutions coupon code to get 25% off your purchase.
Finding Premium Domain Names on Domain Marketplaces
Domain names are a lucrative business. You can think of it as real estate for the Internet.
Thousands of people trade domain names daily, meaning that at any given time there are premium domain names on sale from domain investors.
You can find these domain names on domain marketplaces. This is where users can list their domain names for sale, allowing others to search, make an offer, or directly purchase the name at a premium price.
3. Sedo
Sedo is one of the biggest domain marketplaces in the world. They provide a reliable and secure platform for domain owners to list their domain names for sale.
You will find a lot of premium domain names for sale there. Some of them have been used in the past, but most of them are never used to build a website.
Sedo is also an excellent platform for doing your domain name research. You can find interesting ideas matching your keywords, which is important for SEO (search engine optimization). Then, you can use those ideas to find similar domain names at a regular price.
4. Flippa
Flippa is the world’s leading platform to sell online businesses, startups, websites, and domain names. It is a marketplace where sellers list their domain names for sale. Most of them are premium domain names listed for auction or direct purchase.
You can watch domain names, follow auctions, or enter the auction by bidding on domain names.
If your bid is accepted, then you can follow the payment guidelines. Usually, sellers use Flippa’s escrow service for secure payments and transfer of registration to the buyer.
5. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is the largest domain name registrar in the world. They manage millions of domain names for a very large number of customers around the world.
They offer domain research tools, domain name generators, domain broker services, and more. They also have their own premium domain marketplace with auctions.
However, being a large business, they offer tons of other services and upsells, which can be a bit overwhelming for beginners.
Many GoDaddy alternatives offer more focused, cheaper, and better services to compete, which ultimately benefits the customers.
Finding Domain Names for Sale on Forums
There are thousands of online communities and forums where website owners can discuss online business ideas, marketing techniques, and building websites.
Some of these online communities focus solely on trading domain names, while others have dedicated sub-forums for domain listings. Here are some of the online forums you can use to find domain names available for sale, including expired domain names or soon-to-be-expiring domain names.
6. NamePros
NamePros is one of the leading online communities to buy and sell domain names. It is also a great place to learn about building online businesses, investing in domain names, and finding unique domain name ideas.
They have a dedicated domain marketplace section where sellers can list their domain names on sale. Domains are listed as auctions, buy now, bargains, and make an offer.
7. DNForum
DNForum is another popular online community to find unique domain names. The forum is used by both sellers and buyers to trade domains, run auctions, make offers, or request help from domain name brokers to find you a unique idea.
Get a Free Domain Name via Hosting
If you just want to register a new domain name for your business, then the easiest way to get a free domain name is by signing up for a website hosting account.
This way, you can save money on domain name registration and quickly make a website right away.
Following are some of the top hosting companies that are offering free domain names:
1. Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the largest hosting companies in the world and is officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress and WooCommerce.
They have agreed to offer WPBeginner users a free domain name + SSL certificate and a generous discount on hosting. You can get started for just $2.75 per month.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger is another top WordPress hosting provider that offers a free domain name with hosting.
You’ll need to sign up for at least their WordPress Starter plan to get free domain name.
Currently, they are offering WPBeginner users a generous discount as well. You can get started for $2.69 per month.
Get free domain with Hostinger →
3. HostGator
HostGator is another one of the top hosting companies offering free domain upon sign up.
The offer is valid for all their shared hosting plans. They are also offering WPBeginner users a significant discount on hosting.
Get free domain with HostGator →
How to Find a Great Domain Name for Sale
There are so many places where you can find domain names available for sale. However, it is a highly competitive business, and if you are not careful, then you could end up paying a lot more for a domain name.
First, we recommend you find a unique domain name idea by yourself. Use the domain availability checker tool on Domain.com to see if your desired name is available for registration.
This way, you would be able to find a domain name at a regular price, which could be between $10-14.99 USD per year.
See our guide on how to find a domain name for some tips on coming up with catchy ideas for your domain.
Finding a Premium Domain Name for Sale
Finding a domain name can be hard. You may feel that all good domain name ideas are already taken.
However, if you are willing to invest in buying a shorter, more brandable, and clever domain name, then domain marketplaces can be a good resource.
This helps you narrow down your search and get a domain name that is not available for registration.
We recommend using platforms like Sedo and Flippa to find unique premium domain names on sale. These platforms offer better tools for secure transfer of domain ownership, better tools to asses seller’s reputation, and are trusted by legit businesses worldwide.
How to do Due Diligence When Buying a Premium Domain for Sale
After finding a unique domain name you want to buy, it is time to do some due diligence before moving forward.
Domain names that have already been used could be blacklisted, marked for spam, or have a bad reputation. Buying such a domain name could affect your business.
Luckily, there are tools that you can use to do your homework before making the purchase.
First, you would want to ensure that the domain name is not a registered trademark of an existing business.
According to ICANN rules, if a domain name violates a company’s registered trademark, then that company can claim the domain name or ask you to take it down.
You can check the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s database to do a quick trademark search for your domain name to see it is already registered by a business.
Next, you would want to see if a domain name has been previously used to make a website. An easy way to do this is by using the Wayback Machine. This massive archive crawls the internet and takes snapshots of websites.
You would also want to search a domain name’s historical records using the Whois tools. This allows you to see when a domain name was created, last renewed, DNS changes, and historical data.
Lastly, you would want to check if a domain name has been misused to send spam email, spread malware, or other malicious activities. You can perform a quick domain health check test to see if it raises any red flags.
We hope this article helped you find the best places to find domain name for sale. You may also want to see our picks of the best business phone services and our guide on how to choose the best website builder.
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