A guide to buying, selling and leasing domain names - Part 2
By Rupert Browne, of About the Computer.com
What is a domain name?
Identifying a domain name
Analyse Leads
Backordering
Advertising and selling your domain
Video tutorials
Helpful links
Domains marketplace powered by About the Computer.com
Backordering
It is possible to reserve a currently registered domain before it becomes available (this usually occurs when the current owner allows their registration to lapse or expire). That reserve process is known as backordering.
Ideally you should be only be backordering premium domain names containing whole simple words that are meaningful, easy to spell and marketable for services or goods. See identifying a domain name for more help on this subject.
The domain is not yet available when you place it on backorder. After a domain expires, there is an unspecified period of time, typically around three hours, in which the domain is deleted from the registrar's database before it becomes available for someone else to register. If you are the only person to have backordered it, you will be the preferred new owner.
If more then one person interested in the domain name, then it will be entered into a private auction for all to bid on. Usually the auction lasts three days.
Not all unavailable domain names, expired or otherwise, can be backordered. The owner may soon renew them before they are permanently deleted by the registrar or they may possibly be on hold pending the outcome or settlement of a trademark or other dispute. In cases like this, the registrar will hold the domain. This is why you need to fully understand the process of backordering and which services will help you to determine the best domain names to place a backorder on.
For backordering domains with the extensions .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, the below companies are best. You need a credit card to register.
pool.com
snapnames.com
namejet.com
The following two companies charge an upfront fee which is refundable on successful backorders.Only one person can backorder a particular domain which is preferable to going into a private auction.
freestyleholdings.com
internetcap.us
Backorder Private Domain Name Auction
If two or more people have backordered the same domain name before it dropped, then the domain name will go into a private auction for 3 days.
Only those who have previously placed a backorder on the domain will be allowed to participate in the auction. The backorder must be placed with the registrar who successfully backorders the domain. For example if Namejet is successful in backordering the domain that you want, then only they will begin a private auction for previous bidders.
Big win
If no one else backorders the domain name then you get charged a set rate, usually £38 ($59) to £44 ($69).
Advertising and selling your domain
Once you have secured you’re new domain name the next step is simple, create an account with sedo.com, afternic.com and cax.com.
These are the main sites you will use to sell your domains. No upfront fees are needed, just create an account. CAX does charge a small annual fee. All of the above will charge up to 15% commission as their sales fee.
The next stage is to email your leads. Keep it short and business-like. They don’t want to hear your life story.
For auctions you can check out Sedo. Snapnames has some good auctions too but doesn't get as much coverage as Sedo who dominate around 70% of the market. Be warned though it is becoming extremely difficult to get your domain approved for premium auctions with Sedo.
For the latest news and sales information visit dnjournal.com. Also Sedo's resources section is an excellent source of reports on market trends and market activity.
sedo.com
afternic.com
cax.com
snapnames.com
dnjournal.com
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