How to Sell Domain Names

Websites have become ubiquitous in today's world. But many people don’t understand the inner workings of website domains. They know how to place a URL in a search engine to access the site desired. Someone owns every website name or domain that is entered into a search. Often, people want to sell these names to potential buyers who have bigger plans for the domain. Here’s how to sell domain names.

Instructions

1. Understand domain law. The Internet is still fairly new technology. Because it is so new, regulations governing its use change frequently. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) governs the use of domain names. The specific regulation that covers domain names is called the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. An intimate knowledge of this organization and this regulation will give a seller all the tools needs to conduct the legal sale of a domain name (see Resources below).

2. Get a broker. The Internet is accessed by any person on the planet with Internet access. This means that selling a domain name may require an understanding of another language and another country’s rules regarding the Internet. Find a list of brokers online (see Resources below). Ask brokers for a listing of previous customers and any testimonials of their service.

3. Seek a service to assess the potential price of the domain. Several factors play into the cost of a domain name. Some of these factors may only be known by seasoned professionals. Sites like Sedo.com offer name assessment services for a fee (see Resources below). Evaluate the services offered by many sites and choose a quote based on personal needs.

4. Contact an attorney or expert in domain names to facilitate the name transfer. There are several things that should be in place to make a domain name transfer official. Lawyers with expertise in Internet law or domain name experts will be able to determine the steps needed in each specific case to make a name transfer legal.

5. Find an SEO expert. Search Engine Optimization is a skill set that allows sites to increase site ranking as well as a host of other services. Use SEO experts to advertise the sale of a domain name and conduct Internet research on possible trademark infringement (see Resources below).

Resources

• ICANN
• Domain Name Brokers at Business.com
• Domain Name Brokers at Netcommodities.com
• Sedo.com for Domain Name Evaluations
• SEO Expert at Mrwebguru.com