How to Sell a Domain Name for Profit? [Privately & Publically]

In this guide, you will learn how to sell your domain name privately or in the marketplace securely and profit from it.

Give your domain name a value with many factors and put it on the ground.

And

Check the steps below and securely sell your domain name with one of the marketplaces.

Let’s dive in…

Can I sell a domain name?

Yes, you can sell a domain name.

If so, then how?…

Some also ask, “How to sell domain names fast…quickly?’

Or, how long does it take to sell a domain name?

Well, selling domain names isn’t quite like flying like Superman. Along with buying a Domain name, selling is essential and lengthy.

Selling your Domain will be time-consuming, and you may not receive any bids immediately.

To sell a Domain name, you must follow the proper steps without making mistakes.

So let’s have a look at the process.

Step #1. Public or visible your Domain Name WHOIS database information

Make sure your contact information is general in the WHOIS directory. When you buy a Domain name, you usually get WHOIS privacy protection.

So, disable WHOIS Privacy Protection to make your WHOIS database information visible, such as your name, contact number, etc.

So that if someone wants to buy a domain name from you, they can contact you directly via the contact information you have submitted in the WHOIS database.

How to Disable WHOIS Privacy Protection?

With most hosting companies, you can quickly turn off Whois privacy protection in just a few clicks.

Let’s see how you can do so…

1. Go to your host account and locate the domain settings.
2. You will find the Domain Name Privacy Option, as shown in the picture below.
3. Just click on it and turn it off [If it is on]

You can also contact your website host to help you out with this.

Step #2. The Importance of Parking Your Domain Name

It’s basically when you register a Domain name but don’t use it to host a website or other online content. Like owning a plot of land but never building anything on it.

Did you know parking a Domain name can also help you sell it?

• A parked Domain can be a landing page for buyers to learn more about it and its potential uses.
• This can help you market the Domain and increase the chances of a successful sale.
• And a parked domain can provide valuable insights into the amount of traffic and engagement it’s receiving.
• This information can help you value the Domain and negotiate with potential buyers.

You can use services like Sedo or GoDaddy to park a Domain name.

They’ll display ads on the parked Domain and provide analytics to help you track traffic and engagement.

So there you have it!

Now you know about parking a domain name. So, let’s determine the domain value…

Step #3. Determine the value of the domain name you want to sell out

How much can I sell a domain name for?

OR

How to price a domain name to sell?

Well, the value of a domain name can range from a few dollars to six or even seven figures. The only proper response is that a Domain name is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay.

#. How to Assign the Value with Domain Name Appraisal Tool

So, you might have heard of these domain name appraisal tools that can give you an idea of how much your domain name is worth.

But, here’s the thing…

It would be best if you didn’t put all your trust in them. While they can be helpful, they’re not always accurate.

So, it’s best to take their estimates with a grain of salt.

Some of the tools are as follows…

#1. Head to the GoDaddy Appraisal. You have to put in your Domain name and hit enter.

You will get results once you hit enter on the “Get Value” button.

The result will show the Estimates value of your domain name.

#2. Now let’s see another Domain name appraisal tool, the Free Evaluator. Enter your domain name and hit the “Valuate” button.

Now you can see the estimated value of your domain name on Free Evaluator.

#3. The next is Estibot. You can get an estimate and other general information as well.

However, all these tools give you estimates. These tools will help you with the basic ideas of determining the domain name.

#. Ensure the quality of your domain name

How do I ensure the Quality of my Domain Name?

I give you some hints to get an idea for ensuring the quality of your Domain name. Like, Is it memorable? This shouldn’t be long, complicated, or confusing Domain names.

Or

Is it easy to spell and type? Your Domain name shouldn’t have numbers, hyphens, and special characters.

OR

Is your domain name old?

A domain name’s age and length are two of the most important factors in determining its value. Older and shorter domain names tend to be worth more.

Source: Forbes

I have included many other essential factors in the guide on choosing a domain name.

#. Check the Popularity of a Domain Name on Google

As you can see in the below picture, you have to type your Domain name without the [dot]com extension, as I did.

Now, what do you have to do with this?

If your Domain name or website is popular or older, it will appear on search results quickly. The benefit is that you can show the popularity of your domain name to the customer.

And you can use the image value of your Domain name and charge a good amount of money.

#. Check the similar Domain Name Selling Price to get an idea

Check the similar domain name being sold price.

Just like I did.

I just went to Sedo and put my domain name.

And it suggested similar domain names like easykeyword[dot]com and keywordsoft[dot]com

You can see this in the image below…

So it gives some idea…

#. Get an Opinion from Experts in Selling Domain Names

You can also get the help of experts who are very familiar with domain name sales in your area, or you can get a free consultation from NameExperts.

Now, with these factors, you may have a broad idea of the value of your domain name.

Now it’s time to set the price…

Step #4. Set the price of your domain name

So, you’ve got an idea of how much your domain name is worth.

Now, it’s time to set a price.

The first step will be to price your Domain correctly. You can either set a fixed price or leave it open for negotiation.

Make your decision carefully to value your domain name for sale. Most Domain names sell for between $2,000 to $5000 or more. It can be even less or more as per the Domain.

Many people overprice their domains and then wonder why Domain name buyers are uninterested. Just because you’ve held a Domain long doesn’t mean it has intrinsic worth.

Just make sure that the price you’re asking for is fair and reasonable.

Easy peasy!

Step #5. Decide Where to Sell the Domain Name or How You’d Like to Sell?

So, if you’re looking to sell your Domain name, there are a few different ways.

It all depends on your platform – whether it’s a landing page, marketplace, or Domain auction.

#. How to list a domain for sale?

If you’re using a landing page, you’ll create a webpage for your Domain. This page will have all the info potential buyers need, like how much your Domain is worth and how they can contact you to make an offer.

On a marketplace, you’ll create an account and list your Domain for sale. The marketplace might even have tools to help you price your Domain and attract buyers.

And if you’re going the Domain auction route, you’ll submit your Domain to a platform specializing in auctions. They’ll help you set a reserve price and promote the auction to potential buyers.

What to include in Domain Listing?

When creating a listing for your Domain, include its name, value, and any important details about its history and potential uses.

I am writing a description emphasizing the benefits of owning the Domain name. This will help optimize your listing and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

No matter which option you choose, giving accurate info about your Domain is super important.

That way, buyers can make an informed decision.

Good luck!

#. How to sell a Domain Name Privately?

You can do it privately to sell your Domain name without paying fees or commissions to a marketplace or broker.

Just contact potential buyers with your asking price and all the essential details. Then, you can negotiate a price that works for both of you and finalize the terms in writing.

When negotiating, be professional and patient, and list domain names for sale on reputable marketplaces. Selling domain names requires strategy, research, and patience.

Once you’ve agreed on everything, you can transfer the Domain using a secure payment method which I will discuss later in this guide.

But be careful because there are some shady characters out there who might try to scam you.

So, take your time and be cautious!

#. List your Domain Name on a Landing Page

With the help of a Landing Page, you can list your domain name. The landing page will inform any visitor that your domain name is available for purchase and how to contact you.

• If you already have a website, you can redirect each Domain name [that you wish to sell] to a landing page on that site with an inquiry form.
• On the landing page, you will get customers if you have traffic.

However, suppose you don’t have any visitors on your landing page, no success on LinkedIn, or no experience with paid advertising. In that case, it is recommended to use Domain name marketplaces, which I will be discussing right now…

#. List your domain name on Domain Marketplace

You can sell your domain name on Domain Marketplace. The best places to sell a Domain name are where you can list your Domain names.

You establish a listing, including a reserve price or minimum opening bid. So be ready to sell your Domain name in a Domain name auction.

Here is the list of the best site to sell a domain name.

#1. Go Daddy Auction: How to sell a Domain Name on Go Daddy?

Godaddy Auctions is a marketplace for individuals and businesses to add unique, soon-to-expire domain names to their portfolios.

GoDaddy Auctions allows you to put your domain names up for sale.

You may utilize a free, basic listing or add extra features to boost your Domain name’s exposure.

Here are the steps to auction Domain names on Go Daddy…

Step #1. To access your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio, sign in.

Step #2. Now, select the Domain to list for sale as shown below.

Once you click List for Sale, you will see a pop-up, just hit the Get Started.

Note: You can also check the estimated value to get an idea.

Step #3. It’s time to set the price for your domain name, which you have estimated with the earlier steps.

Below this, you can replace your current website with a “For Sale” landing page. [You can skip for now. It’s optional.]

If you finish this step, hit the “Publish Listing.”

And it will show you a success message.

Step #4. Now, click ” Close ” to see that your Domain listing is in process. There is a tiny ($5) yearly membership cost to join the service, and the commission ranges between 10% and 20% when you sell a domain name.

In GoDaddy, the bidder verification process protects everyone involved and reduces fraud. If something goes wrong, they have a well-known customer support team to fall back on.

#2. Sedo

It is one of the best sites to sell a domain name. Sedo is one of the world’s largest domain marketplaces, with over 18 million domains available and 2 million monthly visits.

Huge companies and brokers use it. Although listing your Domain name for sale on Sedo is free, you will be charged a fee of between 10% and 20% if your Domain name sells.

How to sell a domain name on Sedo?

It provides several options for selling your Domain names. Sedo’s marketplace offers domains with fixed prices that sell up to three times faster than other sales options.

To find a direct buyer for your Domain, inform potential buyers of your interest and begin direct negotiations.

• Make an offer on a Domain using the phrase “Make Offer” and put your Domain up for auction with the original bid serving as the reserve price.
• Its Domain experts regularly create their auctions with high-quality domains, such as their signature bi-monthly GreatDomains auction.
• Apply now to increase exposure and sales leads for your domains.

With the help of Sedo’s professional Domain Brokers, you can sell your high-value domains by negotiating the price, securing payment, and ensuring a smooth Domain Transfer.

#3. BrandBucket

BrandBucket could be able to connect you with the perfect buyer. This marketplace is moderated, meaning each Domain name must be submitted and approved first.

When your Domain is authorized, it is offered with a custom-designed logo and description to help potential purchasers visualize it.

This marketplace costs a $10 listing fee and enforces exclusivity, which means you can’t sell your Domain elsewhere while it’s listed on the market.

In comparison to other markets, the commission is high at 30%.

#4. Afternic

It is a robust marketplace controlled by GoDaddy, offering over five million Domain names for sale and processing 75 million Domain queries each month.

When people search for your domain name on the GoDaddy.com website, it will appear as a premium domain if you put it up for sale.

Listing a Domain name on Afternic is free, but you’ll be charged a 20% fee if it sells.

How to sell a domain name on Afternic?

Make an account: It’s simple to set up an account to sell domains, and once you do, you’ll have a seller profile to market yourself and your domains.

Add Domains For Sale: When you put a Domain for sale, price your domains. When you specify a purchase price, your Domain becomes eligible for fast-transfer premium status.

Improve your domain sales by optimizing your listings. Like using a “For Sale Page” or “For Sale Banner” to notify potential purchasers that your Domain is for sale

And setting your Domain prices using “Buy Now” and opting for your Domain in “Fast Transfer.” It’s simple to sell domains on Afternic.

#5. Flippa

Flippa is the most popular marketplace for buying and selling Internet businesses.

How to sell a website domain?

It is a domain and website flipping website. In other words, you may sell a domain using Flippa.

Each month, over $41 million in company value is placed for sale on Flippa, and almost 500,000 business owners and buyers use the site to sell or acquire enterprises priced between $5,000 and $5,000,000.

How to sell domain names on Flippa?

One feature distinguishing Flippa from other marketplaces is the ability to provide a descriptive description for your auction listing.

• Set the Reserve price after thoroughly assessing it.
• Please set it to the amount you can afford to sell your online property.
• Set a reasonable Buy it now price (BIN).

Maintain a modest beginning bid price to attract more people to bid. After the auction successfully concludes, research the user who won the bid and his transaction history.

So that you may take appropriate precautions before initiating Blog/Website/Domain transfer and receiving fees.

Flippa Pricing

Flippa offers fixed-fee pricing when selling domains. When you sell, you must pay a success fee of 5%, which is computed as a percentage of the sale price.

#6. NameCheap

Richard Kirkendall established Namecheap in the year 2000. They have had three million consumers during the last 20 years.

How to sell a domain name on NameCheap?

By charging this fee, they may maintain a Domain marketplace that is easy to search for and well-known by many individuals who buy domains regularly.

Namecheap charges a 10% commission to maintain a well-known domain marketplace.

Log in and navigate to your dashboard’s “List Domain” section. Enter the Domain name you want to sell and set a price.

NameCheap will then list your Domain for sale on their marketplace, and interested buyers can make an offer or buy it at the listed price.

When a buyer purchases your Domain, NameCheap will facilitate the transfer of ownership to the buyer and deposit the sale amount into your account.

#7. eBay

You’ve probably heard of eBay, right?

Did you know it’s a great place to sell your Domain names?

Yup, you heard that right! eBay’s Domain name services offer a platform to list your Domain as a seller.

You can even set minimum bids to ensure you get the desired price. While it’s not solely focused on Domain sales, it’s a spot where you can attract some attention from buyers looking for a sweet deal.

So, why not give it a shot and see what happens?

#. Stand Out from the Crowd: How to Effectively Promote Your Listing

If you want to catch the attention of potential buyers, you’ve got to promote your listing!

• Please share it on social media, email your contacts, and maybe consider using paid advertising.
• Response to inquiries: When someone shows interest in purchasing your Domain name, responding quickly and professionally is essential.
• Please don’t leave them hanging!
• Be sure to answer any questions they may have and be open to negotiating if needed.

Remember, communication is key!

Step #6. Transfer the domain name

Once you’ve agreed on a price and received payment, you must transfer the Domain name to the buyer. Your process will differ depending on how you decide to sell your site.

However, the general process is outlined below:

1. The seller will submit the authorization code to start the transfer process.
2. The seller will transfer the funds from escrow once the transfer is completed.
3. There might be restrictions on when the funds must stay in escrow, so double-check before initiating the transfer.

Use a reputable domain registrar and follow their instructions carefully to ensure a smooth transfer.

So, let’s expand the escrow service…

Step #7. Use an Escrow Service for Secure Transfer of Payments and Domain Name

What is Escrow Service, and why should you use it?

An escrow provider is a third party that holds and processes payments securely, reducing the risk of losing your Domain to fraud.

So, use an Escrow Service to Protect Your Domain Name. Many selling platforms have their own free escrow service, while others charge a percentage of the total price.

When using an escrow service, both parties agree on the terms, and the buyer deposits the money into the escrow account. After validation, the Domain is transferred to the buyer, who verifies control before the seller receives payment.

It’s essential to use a licensed escrow company when selling domains. Escrow.com and Payoneer Escrow are the most often used escrow companies for domain name sales.

Or if the marketplace is providing an escrow service such as Sedo, you will see how to sell a Domain name with escrow on the marketplaces you will learn about in this guide.

Stay active till the final domain name transfer.

When selling a Domain, staying involved during the final transfer process is recommended due to possible commission fees charged by the Domain market.

You should keep track of this step to know the amount of money you will get. Escrow services may require a waiting period to allocate funds appropriately.

It is essential to monitor the transfer process in case any issues arise.

How to Sell a Domain via a Domain Name Broker?

If you want to sell your Domain name but don’t want to deal with all the hassle, using a Domain name broker might be the way to go.

Selling a Domain via a Domain Name Broker is like selling valuable artwork through a professional art dealer.

For some people, this can be the best way to sell a Domain name and the easiest way to sell a Domain name. The broker will handle all the negotiations and marketing for you, giving you more time to focus on other things.

Utilizing a domain name broker can increase the chances of a successful sale and help sellers get the best possible price for their domain.

Source: Forbes

You get expert assistance to reach potential buyers and ensure the best possible price

Here’s what you need to do:

Step #1: Find a good broker

Do your research and find a broker with a good track record in your industry or niche.

Step #2: Reach out to the broker

Shoot them an email or give them a call to introduce yourself and your domain name. Be ready to give them all the details about your Domain, like its history, keywords, and any previous offers.

Step #3: Talk terms

Discuss the commission rate, the minimum sale price, and the agreement’s duration.

Step #4: Sign on the dotted line

Once you’ve agreed on everything, sign the agreement and give the broker any necessary information about your Domain.

Step #5: Let the broker do their thing

They’ll handle all the marketing and negotiations, and once the sale is complete, they’ll transfer the payment to you (minus their commission, of course).

Selling through a broker can be a great option to save time and get professional help.

Remember that you’ll have to pay a commission, so choose a reputable broker and discuss all the terms before signing anything.

Happy selling!

Wrapping Up

Selling your domain name can be a profitable thing.

Optimize your listing with essential tips.

Craft a compelling listing, and be open to negotiation.

What challenges have you faced?

For how much did you sell the domain name?