Foundations
Domain investing 101
A fast primer on what makes domains valuable, where to source inventory, how to price, and the safeguards that keep every deal secure.
What makes a domain valuable
- • Extension and trust: .com still commands the highest recall and resale potential across most industries.
- • Brevity and clarity: choose names that pass the radio test—short, memorable, and easy to spell.
- • Demand signals: look at search intent, CPC data, social availability, and comparable sales.
- • Brandability: real words or clean brandables that communicate a mission without forcing spelling.
Where to acquire inventory
- • Monitor expiring auctions and closeouts to grab aged domains before the crowd notices.
- • Use private marketplaces, direct outreach, and inbound leads to secure premium inventory.
- • Set a maximum bid anchored on expected retail value minus your margin and annual carrying costs.
Pricing & exit strategy
- • Know the wholesale floor versus retail target—quality brandables often fall in the low five figures.
- • Use Buy-It-Now pricing for liquidity and Make-Offer landers to capture upside from motivated buyers.
- • Expect 1–2% annual sell-through; invest in professional landers, email follow-ups, and quick replies.
Risk & diligence
- • Screen trademarks, historical content, and backlink profiles before you commit.
- • Confirm transferability: domain age, registry locks, and availability of auth codes matter.
- • Use escrow-first flows to protect both sides and document every step.