Domain Investment Basics

Beginner
10 min4 sectionsLast updated: 1/14/2024

What is Domain Investing?

Domain investing is the practice of purchasing domain names with the intent to sell them later at a profit. Think of it as digital real estate - just as physical property can appreciate in value, so can domain names.

A domain name is your address on the internet. Just like prime real estate locations command higher prices, premium domain names can be worth millions. For example, Insurance.com sold for $35.6 million, and Voice.com sold for $30 million.

Pro Tips

  • Start with .com domains as they typically have the highest resale value
  • Focus on short, memorable names that are easy to spell

Why Invest in Domains?

Domain investing offers several advantages over traditional investments:

• Low entry barriers - You can start with just a few hundred dollars • Passive income potential - Through domain parking or leasing • Global market - Buyers and sellers from around the world • No physical storage - Everything is digital • Growing demand - As more businesses go online, domain demand increases

Pro Tips

  • The domain aftermarket is worth over $2 billion annually
  • Premium domains often appreciate faster than traditional investments

Getting Started

Follow these steps to begin your domain investing journey:

1. **Set a Budget**: Start small, perhaps $500-1000 for your first investments 2. **Choose a Registrar**: Use reputable registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare 3. **Research Before Buying**: Check previous sales data on NameBio 4. **Start with Hand Registration**: Register new domains rather than buying expensive ones 5. **Focus on Quality**: Better to own 10 great domains than 100 mediocre ones

Warning

Avoid trademark infringement - never register domains containing brand names or trademarks

Common Beginner Mistakes

Learn from these common pitfalls:

• **Overextending financially** - Don't spend money you can't afford to lose • **Ignoring renewal fees** - Domains cost money to maintain yearly • **Quantity over quality** - Focusing on volume instead of value • **Emotional attachment** - Falling in love with your domains • **Poor record keeping** - Not tracking purchases, renewals, and sales

Pro Tips

  • Keep detailed spreadsheets of all domain transactions
  • Set calendar reminders for renewal dates