Domaining - Buying Domain Names (Part 2 of 5) - Internetuals

Domaining - Buying Domain Names (Part 2 of 5)

22Jul2008 Filed under: Domain Names Author: Rozbeh Nassab

The buying of domain names can be broken down into two sections.

1. New Registrations

It is possible to search the WHOIS database (Pronounced “Who Is”) to check the availability of a domain name. Domains that are available in a particular extension may be purchased for a period of time specified by the buyer. This is usually in years and the buyer has the option to renew the domain name as the expiration date approaches. If the domain name is not renewed the domain is usually dropped by the registrar which the domain was registered with.

Where can I register a domain name?

Of the thousands and thousands of domain registrars out there I have provided a few domain registrars which I would personally recommend:

.com/.net/.org/.me/.asia/.mobi +more…

GoDaddy.com - Go Daddy is the world’s largest domain registrar and highly recommended as they are competitively priced and support is solid too. Very few other domain registrars offer 24/7 telephone support like Go Daddy does. Keep checking Internetuals for Go Daddy promotional codes which give discounts on domain registrations.

.co.uk domains

123-reg.co.uk - 123-reg has been providing domain registration services since 2000 and are a UK based company. They are competitively priced for .co.uk domains and I would highly recommend them.

Other domain registrars:

2. Registered domain names

If a domain name is already registered this somewhat limits the options of buying the domain name. A goal of a domainer is to purchase a domain for as little as possible so if/when it comes to reselling the domain name they are able to maximise their profits. The following shows the methods available to a domainer of purchasing a taken domain name.

- Contacting the owner directly

It is possible to use the WHOIS database to determine the contact details of the domain owner and you may then approach the owner directly via e-mail, telephone or mail. The owner may not be willing to sell the domain name at all but an e-mail enquiring whether the domain is for sale should answer this.

NOTE: It is wise to research the domain name at the below links as it may be listed for sale and sometimes with an asking price but remember to always negotiate.

A domainer would regularly check the following sources for purchasing registered domain names.

Domain Auctions/Marketplaces

Sedo - Sedo is the global marketplace for buying and selling domains. With over 690,000 members it offers the world’s largest selection of domains with over 12 million domains listed for sale.
Afternic
Pool - As well as a domain marketplace Pool also offers a domain backordering service for domains that are pending deletion due to expiring without being renewed.
TDNam

Domain Forums

The three main domain name forums which are specifically domain name related are:

The following forums are not solely domain name related but do, however, have active domain marketplaces.

Thus far the basics of domaining have been outlined and after this article you should have an insight into buying domain names. The forthcoming articles include: