How to Buy a Premium Domain Name That Is Already Owned: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses and Individuals
When you start building an online brand, one of the most important elements is a domain name. However, many domain names have already been registered by others, making it difficult for you to own a domain that suits your brand or product.
So how do you buy back a domain name that is already owned? Should you contact the owner directly, go through an intermediary, or use a marketplace? How can you avoid scams and trade safely?
This article will guide you through the entire process of buying back a premium domain name – from checking the owner, valuation, and negotiation to completing the transfer procedures.
Why Buy Back a Premium Domain Name?
- Premium domain names provide great value in terms of brand recognition. They help customers remember you easily, create a professional impression, and increase credibility on the internet.
- In addition, domain names containing keywords or brand names easily support SEO, helping the website easily rank on Google, improving traffic and revenue.
- In many cases, a strong domain name can provide a superior competitive advantage, especially if you are investing in e-commerce, media, technology, or startups.
When Should You Consider Buying Back a Domain Name That Is Already Owned?
- When the domain name is identical or very similar to the name of the brand, product, or service you provide, you should consider buying it back. This is an important first step in building sustainable brand assets.
- If you determine that you will invest for the long term, or already have a main domain name but the premium domain name belongs to someone else and is at risk of being used for misleading purposes, then buying it back is even more necessary.
Check Domain Information Before Buying Back
Before negotiating or making an offer to buy, you need to verify information about the domain such as:
Ownership Status:
- Use WHOIS tools such as who.is, lookup.icann.org, and domaintools.com to see if the domain name has been registered, who owns it, and the registration and expiration dates.
Is the Website Active?:
- Go directly to the domain name to check if the website is running. If the domain name points to a blank page or is experiencing an error, the owner may not be using it or has abandoned it.
Usage History:
- Use Wayback Machine (archive.org) to see what the domain name was previously used for – selling, blog, forum, or spam website.
SEO Quality:
- Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush to check SEO metrics: Domain Authority (DA), number of backlinks, and old traffic.
Legal Status:
- Is the domain name related to a registered trademark? Avoid buying domain names that could lead to copyright disputes or lawsuits.
Common Methods for Buying Back a Domain Name
Contact the owner directly
- If you find an email or contact information through WHOIS or the current website, you can write an email negotiating the purchase. Be brief, professional, and make a reasonable starting price offer.
Use a Domain Broker Service
- If you cannot contact the owner or want to keep your identity secret, you can hire a third party to mediate the negotiation. Some reputable broker service providers include GoDaddy, Sedo, Dan.com, and Namecheap.
Find it on a Domain Marketplace
- Marketplaces such as Sedo, Dan.com, Flippa, Afternic, and GoDaddy Auction allow you to search and directly buy registered domain names. You can see the status of the domain name: for sale, auction, or negotiable.
Valuing the Domain Name Before Negotiating
Valuing the domain name helps you avoid paying too much or offering too low of a price, causing the owner to not respond.
Factors that affect the price of a domain name:
- Domain name is short and easy to remember
- Contains popular keywords
- Same as brand name or hot field
- Good SEO history, strong number of backlinks
Domain extension: .com, .vn are often more valuable than .xyz, .info
Reference valuation tools:
- GoDaddy Appraisal
- Estibot
- NameBio (see similar transactions)
Note that the tools are only suggestive, the actual value depends on the seller.
Effective Negotiation Tips When Buying Back a Domain Name
Stay calm and don't be too hasty.
- If you show too much "desire," the seller may push the price up. Show a moderate level of interest.
Propose a reasonable starting price.
- Find out the market price of equivalent domain names before quoting a price. Avoid offering too low of a price, causing the owner to not respond.
Send an offer with an expiration date.
- This creates a professional feeling and promotes a decision from the seller.
Negotiate through an intermediary platform if you need confidentiality.
- If you don't want to disclose information or are concerned about fraud, use a marketplace or broker to be safer.
How to Trade Domain Names Safely
Use an intermediate Escrow service
- Escrow.com, Sedo, and Dan.com all support holding money and ensure that the transfer is only made after the domain name has been transferred to your account. This minimizes the risk of fraud.
Transfer rights through a reputable registrar
- Conduct transactions and transfer domain names through major registrars such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, and iNET to simplify procedures.
Maintain complete records
- Always keep emails, invoices, contracts, and transfer confirmations in case of disputes or legal risks later.
Some Special Situations
Domain name is about to expire:
- Track the expiration date and use the backorder service at SnapNames, NameJet, and GoDaddy to register a "reserved seat" when the domain name enters the grace period.
Domain name is being used illegally with your brand name:
- If you have a registered trademark, you can ask a lawyer or file an application with ICANN/WIPO Arbitration Center to request the transfer of the domain name.
Unable to contact the owner:
- Use a broker service or choose a similar alternative domain name, optimize SEO and branding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to pay in installments when buying a domain name?
- Some platforms like Dan.com support paying for domain names in installments over several months. However, the domain name will be retained until you have finished paying.
What legal procedures are required when buying a domain name?
- If the domain name is of great value, a sales contract should be signed and invoices kept in full. For regular domain names, trading through an intermediary platform is sufficient.
Should I buy a domain name from an individual or a company?
- As long as there are transparent records and a clear process. However, buying from a company or marketplace will have better credibility and legal support.
Contact Information
MIMA DIGITAL SERVICE CO., LTD
Tax Code: 0318672839
Address: Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline/Zalo: 0909 035 333
Email: info@mimadigi.com
Website: https://mimadigi.com/
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