Practical domain guide
How to sell a domain you own
Selling a domain is a transaction involving an asset in your registrar account. A simple for-sale page can invite serious enquiries, but it does not replace identity checks, a written agreement or a safe transfer process.
Decide whether the name is genuinely marketable
Useful names are easy to say and spell, fit a real purpose and avoid another party’s trademark. Search comparable public sales cautiously; asking prices are not sale prices. The amount a previous owner spent or the years it has been registered do not create value by themselves.
Choose an asking strategy
A fixed asking price gives buyers a clear decision and filters out mismatched budgets. “Make an offer” can reveal demand but creates more low-quality enquiries. Set a private minimum before negotiating. Include renewal cost and the time you are willing to spend, but do not invent competing bids or urgency.
Publish a clean for-sale page
State the exact domain, optional asking price and a contact form that collects only what you need: name, email, offer amount and message. Do not publish your registrar login, authorisation code or personal address. Keep the page free of unrelated advertisements that make it look abandoned.
Screen the enquiry
Confirm the buyer’s identity and the exact currency and amount. Be cautious when a buyer insists that you pay for an appraisal, use an unfamiliar payment service or move immediately to an encrypted chat. A real buyer can still be private, but unusual pressure and upfront fees are warning signs.
Use a deliberate transfer process
- Agree the domain, price, fees and transfer method in writing.
- For a meaningful amount, use a reputable escrow arrangement suitable for your countries.
- Confirm cleared funds or the escrow milestone before releasing control.
- Unlock only the domain being sold and generate its transfer code when required.
- Keep transaction and transfer confirmations.
Transfers can be restricted shortly after registration, a previous transfer or certain contact changes. Check the registrar and registry rules before promising a completion date.
Remember the limits of the page
An enquiry is not a contract, payment or transfer. Domain Hangover stores the offer and emails it to the owner, but does not broker the deal, verify ownership, hold funds or arbitrate disputes.