Buy a Taken Domain: 3 Different Options

When talking about domains, the rule 'first come, first serve' applies. Accordingly, most good, short, and memorable domain names have long been registered, however, this doesn't mean that they're unavailable. So long as you aren't looking to buy amazon.co.uk or google.com, there's always a chance that you can convince the current owner to sell to you.

In this article, we'll show you how to go about buying a domain that's already taken and fill you in on what sort of costs you can expect.

In case the domain of your dreams is taken, there are a few options to go about purchasing it:

So long as you can identify the owner of a domain, you'll have the option to contact them directly. However, this is usually easier said than done, especially because domain owners like to protect their privacy just as much as anyone else. Still, you can check the website's contact page, or perform a WHOIS search to get started.

If neither of those options works, our article on identifying a domain's owner lets you know in detail what your next steps should be.

Once you've identified the website's owner, you'll need to ask them whether the domain is for sale, and if so, what price they're willing to let it go for. Below, we'll provide more details about how to conclude the actual transaction.

Domain marketplaces are digital bazaars specializing in domains. Owners can put their unused domains up for sale, or get expert help in marketing a high-ticket website to maximize its value. Two of the biggest domain marketplaces are sedo.com and dan.com.

To use one of these marketplaces, simply type your desired domain into the search field, and you'll be able to see whether it's for sale. If it is, you can either purchase it outright or make an offer. Data pertaining to the website's traffic and other offers are also provided, to help inform your decision. In addition, you can filter results according to price or domain length.

In case the domain of your dreams isn't for sale, marketplaces will often suggest close alternatives that are worth a look.

Supposing that your heart is set on a particular domain, and you're ready to pay a bit more for it, you can engage a domain broker to realize the sale for you. For a fee, usually, relative to the sale price, specialists will track down the owner and handle all negotiations. Another advantage of this approach is that you'll remain anonymous throughout the entire process.

Just such a service is offered by the above-mentioned sedo.com. You'll pay $69 upfront and then, supposing that the sale is successful, 15% of the purchase price (excl. tax). This makes it possible to purchase domains that aren't listed by sedo.com through your own personal domain broker, with added bonuses of guaranteed discretion and usage of the platform's free transfer service.

The exact cost of a domain depends on its quality and potential. Short, memorable, and catchy domains are particularly popular and as a result, often pricier.

According to DNPric.es, a database that collects and collates information on past domain sales, the average sales price of a .com domain is around $712. However, the sky is the limit, with the current record held by carinsurance.com which sold for around $50,000,0000, followed closely by vacationrentals.com which went for $35,000,000.

So long as you aren't looking for a top domain, you should expect to pay several hundred or thousand dollars, supposing that its current owner is willing to sell.

So, you've found the domain you want, contacted its current owner, and you're both ready to go through with the transfer? How exactly you'll go about concluding the transaction depends on how you've found the domain.

In case you organized the sale through a domain marketplace, you'll just have to follow the instructions it provides. On sedo.com, for example, there's a free transfer service, for making sure that you get control over the domain and its former owner receives your payment. Depending on the domain's ending, this can take anywhere from 1 to 10 days.

After identifying the domain's owner, you'll both need to work out the sale's details. The steps listed below offer a helpful template for how to best go about doing this:

Step 1: Agree upon all details of the sale with the current owner. Be sure to set a fixed price, and a date when ownership of the domain will transfer to you.

Step 2: To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to prepare a contract that puts all of the terms you discussed in Step 1 in black and white. There are plenty of templates floating around online, such as this one from sedo.com.

Step 3: Pay the current owner the sum agreed upon in your (signed) contract.

Hint: In order to make the transaction as safe as possible for both parties, it's a good idea to involve an intermediary. With Escrow you can be absolutely sure that everyone receives what they've (contractually) agreed to. Alternatively, you could use the transfer services offered by domain marketplaces, like sedo.com, even if you haven't concluded the sale using their platform.

When using a transfer service, simply follow its instructions. Otherwise:

Step 4: Once you've sent payment to the website's current owner, they should provide you with the so-called Auth-Code. This is a kind of password that is uniquely generated for each domain, guaranteeing that non-authorized people cannot simply "steal" or snatch a domain.

Step 5: Using the Auth-Code, you can take control of the domain and register it with your web hoster.

If you'd like to purchase a domain that's already taken, you essentially have two options:

You can either contact the domain's current owner yourself and see if they're receptive to parting with it, or, contract a domain broker, such as that offered by sedo.com to do this for you. On domain marketplaces, you can directly purchase or bid on domains or contract a broker. Of course, the latter option isn't free, as you'll need to pay a flat fee and a commission upon successful completion of the sale.

When purchasing a domain, it's important to exercise caution by drawing up and signing a contract with the other party beforehand, and using a transfer service or third party like Escrow for the actual transaction. Taking these precautions ensures that everything will go smoothly: the site's owner receives payment, and you get the domain you wanted.

Or maybe after reading this guide, you'd rather purchase a domain that is available? In our EXPERTE.com comparison, you'll be able to find the domain provider that best matches your needs.