Buying a domain name is much simpler now than it was in the early days of the internet. Most internet service providers now offer customers the option to order one or more domain names with their accounts. Although purchasing a web domain is quick and easy, the number of available names has decreased due to the massive volume of domains sold over the years. Three-letter domain names, known as TLDs, are no longer widely available for the popular .com extension. While you might still buy a TLD from a current owner, such sales are rare since most of these domains are actively used on live websites.
Choosing a web domain name
The first step to buying a web domain is to find out whether the name is actually available. For popular extensions like .com and .net, this will be more difficult, especially if you are looking for a shorter domain name using popular words.
While many website owners may want to use their company name or personal name as their domain, this may not always be possible.
Many services allow you to search for available web domains, including the following sites:
- Host Otter
- www.checkdomain.com
- Whois.net
- Networksolutions.com
Note that most of these services will also sell domain names directly to consumers.
If the name that you desire is not available with the popular .com extension, you can also try searching using other extensions like .net or .info.
The average length of domain names is eleven characters, even though experts suggest making the names as short as possible. One reason for the longer domains may be the lack of availability of appropriate shorter names.
If you intend on a domain with a .com extension, but the name you want is unavailable, try different name variations. Alternatively, you could try adding extra words to the domain name.
For example, if you want a domain name like cutedogs.com, you could search instead for variations like cutedogz.com or kewtdogs.com. You are more likely to achieve success by adding extra words, i.e., realcutedogs.com.
Domain Name Statistics
A web domain name is the unique address used to access a website on the internet. It’s a user-friendly alternative to the numeric IP addresses that computers use to identify servers. Instead of typing a string of numbers like 192.168.1.1, users type something like example.com. We will discuss how to buy a web domain below.
The top ten countries in terms of total domain names are as follows:
- United States 79,636,292
- Germany 6,477,828
- China 5,793,972
- The United Kingdom 4,802,499
- Canada 3,823,538
- France 3,453,290
- Japan 2,843,069
- Australia 2,334,469
- Spain 1,680,775
- Cayman Islands 1,503,049
The .com extension is by far the most popular among consumers followed in order by .net, .org and .info among non-country specific extensions.
earch instead for variations like cutedogz.com or kewtdogs.com. You are more likely to achieve success by adding extra words, i.e., realcutedogs.com.
What to do if you want a particular web domain?
If you intend on a specific domain name and it is unavailable, then you still have the option of trying to buy the name from the current owner. Many web domain owners are investors who purchase names for the express purpose of selling them later for a profit. If you are lucky, the name you want will be the property of one of these investors. Generally, such domains sit “parked” at inactive sites. When you visit the site, it will usually have a “For sale” notice on the homepage.
However, if the domain is in use on an active website, then it may be much more difficult to buy the name. In such cases, you may actually have to buy the entire site to close it down and use the web domain for your own purposes.
The other drawback is that web users may already associate the domain name with the existing site, which can be difficult in marketing.
Negotiating for a web domain name
If the web domain you desire is up for sale, you can negotiate with the current owner on the price. Some sellers may already have a price tag on the domain. For example, a firm listed price or “Buy It Now” (BIN) price means that the seller is less likely to negotiate. However, you can still try contacting them to see if they will lower the BIN price.
Other web domains are up for auction, or the potential buyer can offer a price for the domain name. Indeed, this is the most common way of selling web domains as it gives the seller maximum flexibility. Valuing when to buy a web domain is not a clear-cut matter. Most people will recognize high-value domains as they will have a readily apparent value. Here are some factors that you can take into account when trying to assign value to a web domain:
- Domain extension – Again, the .com domains are most valuable.
- Length – Generally, shorter names are better because they are easier to remember
- Memorable – While shorter names are usually best, other domain name qualities may make them easy to remember.
- The popularity of keywords – A domain name that contains popular search keywords will be in higher demand.
- Commercial names – Domains that have ready application for commercial or marketing purposes are in high demand.
- Easy to pronounce – Since marketing involves communicating domain names by word of mouth, the name must be easy to pronounce.
- Age of domain – Older domain names are generally more valuable.
Domain Consultation
Hiring a consultant familiar with the domain name market can be a smart move when trying to buy a web domain. Consultants understand market trends and know the going rates for specific types of web domains. When negotiating, build a positive relationship with the seller. Keep in mind that others may also be interested in the same domain. Start with a low initial offer that acknowledges the domain’s value without offending the seller.
Respect the seller and maintain a professional approach to improve your chances of success, especially when competing with others offering similar prices. Find common ground and demonstrate that you are serious and ready to pay immediately after finalizing the deal.
If the domain you want is available, purchase it through a standard online transaction on domain-selling websites. For existing domains, arrange payment directly with the seller. Many sellers accept credit card payments or electronic options like PayPal.
You have a domain, now what
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible on the internet. Hosting providers store website files on their servers and deliver them to users when they visit the site through a browser. Web hosting services often include features like domain registration, email accounts, security, and technical support. Whether you’re running a personal blog or a business site, web hosting is essential for ensuring your site is online and available to visitors 24/7