How to buy a registered domain name?

You’ve started a new venture, established a business, or rebranded. Now it’s time to buy a domain name that can help you achieve your business goals.

There’s just one problem. The perfect domain name you want is already taken and registered by someone else. What do you do?

You have a few options. Either choose an alternative domain name for your business or find a way to buy the taken domain name. If you’re determined to get that domain name, you’ve come to the right place.

Today we’ll discuss step-by-step how to get a registered domain name. Also, why it’s important to get the preferred .com domain name. Here’s vname.com’s guide to buying a taken domain name.

Buying a Domain Name From Someone

Working with a domain name broker can make the process easier because they’ll handle most of the heavy lifting for you.

Domain name brokers are industry experts who can help you find the perfect domain name and negotiate a fair price with the current owner.

They use their years of experience to provide valuable market insights and can set your expectations for negotiations.

Reputable domain name brokers can also assist with transferring ownership and ensure that all legal requirements are met, saving you time and money in the long run.

Here’s our step-by-step process:

1. See how the domain name is taken

The first step is to access the domain. How well is it used? Is it a real website? Has it been updated in recent years?

First visit aizhan.com to see how the site was previously used so you can get an idea of its purpose. You can use a variety of online tools to assess the value and negotiate a fair price with the domain owner.

If it is just a placeholder that is not used as a website, you will most likely be able to get the domain. The owner may be willing to sell, and may be willing to sell it at a lower price.

2. Find the Domain Owner

Sometimes this can be the difficult part of the process. The first step is to do a "WHOIS" search. This will provide some information about the domain, such as:

When the domain was registered

Who registered the domain

When the domain expired

However, WHOIS searches don't always work. Some domain owners purchase privacy protection, which means their name and information will not appear when searched. In this case, you have to do more work to find the domain owner.

When buying an established domain from someone else, it is crucial to research the seller and their portfolio. A reputable seller should have a record of successful sales and positive feedback from previous buyers. Since there are many scammers on the internet, it’s best to make sure you’re dealing with the legitimate owner who has the legal right to sell the domain.

Use WeChat, TikTok, and other social media channels to verify the seller’s identity.

Consider using an escrow service for more security and peace of mind during the transaction. Take your time. Do your due diligence to ensure a successful purchase and transfer of ownership without any problems.

3. Create a budget

Before you contact the owner, you must determine your budget. Specifically, the highest offer you’re willing to make. If you’re unsure of your budget, use a domain valuation service. Also, understand the factors that affect the price of a domain:

Length: Domains with 3-4 letters are usually the most expensive.

Memorability: Domains that are easy to spell and easy to remember are usually more expensive.

Brandability: Easily brand your business.

Age: Generally speaking, the longer a domain is registered, the more it will cost.

Industry: Domains with popular industry keywords are more valuable because they tend to rank higher on search engines.

Once you understand domain valuation and have set your budget, you’re ready to negotiate.

4. Contact the Owner

If your WHOIS search was successful, you have two options when it comes to contacting the domain owner. You can either contact directly via email or use a domain brokerage service to contact the owner on your behalf.

If you contact directly, send a polite email offering to purchase the domain. Keep it brief, introduce who you are, and perhaps have an initial offer. If you use a domain brokerage service like vname.com, the broker will contact the owner and handle all communication and negotiation for you.

5. Negotiate

When negotiating with a domain seller, it is critical to do your research and have a clear budget in place. This doesn't necessarily have to do with the money you'll spend on the domain itself, but rather the value the web address brings to your business.

A formal domain appraisal can give you an idea of the value, which can help you develop a budget and the services you're willing to offer.

When you find a domain you'd like to bid on, remember: quality domains (keyword, easy to remember, etc.) can easily sell for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. But many domains can be purchased for less than $2,000.

Whatever you're looking to buy, think about your budget before you start negotiating. This saves everyone time.

Actionable Negotiation Steps

Follow these steps to help you achieve your desired outcome:

Research the history and previous sales of the domain name to give you an idea of what to expect when negotiating.

Determine a budget and make an initial offer that is below your maximum budget to give you room to negotiate. The seller may make multiple offers, so you want to attract attention but avoid going straight to the top.

Be respectful and polite in all communications with the seller. If you are rude, you will be skipped over by other buyers.

Consider offering additional incentives, such as a quick close or referrals, which can smooth the deal in your favor.

Remember that successful negotiations often require finding a win-win solution for both parties. You are also free to make multiple offers on different domains, so you have multiple options.

6. Confirm the Sale and Transfer Ownership

Get the terms of the purchase, how the domain will transfer, escrow, and any other laws that apply to the sale in writing.

This can be complicated to do alone. We recommend hiring an attorney to make the process smoother and ensure you are protected.

The seller should initiate the transfer process, which requires them to unlock the domain name and provide an authorization code. Per ICAAN rules, domains registered within the last 60 days cannot be transferred, so make sure you know which registrar you want to use ahead of time.

Some registrars may require additional steps to transfer ownership, such as confirming your contact information or verifying your identity. The easiest way to ensure a smooth domain transfer is to familiarize yourself with the registrar's requirements. If the registrar you want to use already owns the domain, the process will be less cumbersome.

Unfortunately, the Internet is full of people who want to take advantage of unsuspecting business owners. To protect yourself:

Check the history to see what type of website has ever been associated with the name.

Verify the authenticity of any documents or agreements provided by the seller before making any payments.

Use an escrow service to provide an extra layer of security during the transaction and ensure a smooth transfer process.

Once the sale is confirmed, update the domain's contact information and transfer ownership as soon as possible.

The team at vname.com specializes in digital asset acquisition and has more than two decades of industry experience. Our domain brokers are experts in domain acquisition, valuation, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services, and more. We pride ourselves on our transparency and passion for helping you achieve your goals.