What your domain is worth
A domain's price comes not from your expectations but from what the market is willing to pay for it. Several clear factors shape the value.
- length and readability of the name: short and simple is valued higher;
- the zone: domains in .ru and .рф (Russia's Cyrillic ccTLD) appeal to businesses focused on the Russian market;
- the presence of a commercial or branded term in the name;
- the domain's history: age, past projects, and a clean record free of penalties and spam;
- comparison with the prices of similar domains that have already sold.
Don't pick a price out of thin air: too high will scare buyers off, too low will cost you part of your income. If you'd like to work through it calmly and step by step, see our material on domain valuation.
Where to find a buyer
You can look for a buyer yourself or through an intermediary. Each approach has its advantages.
- domain exchanges and marketplaces: a large audience, but many similar listings and a platform commission;
- reaching out directly to relevant companies for which the name is a good thematic fit;
- a notice on the domain itself with a contact form;
- working through a domain broker, who negotiates on their own behalf and seeks out interested buyers.
Exchanges are convenient for inexpensive, high-volume domains. If a name is valuable or aimed at a specific business, a broker can often reach a buyer you would never get to on your own, without revealing your interest prematurely.
Negotiation and bargaining
A buyer will almost always try to lower the price, and that's normal. Decide in advance on the minimum sum below which you are not prepared to sell – that way the bargaining won't drag you into unfavorable terms.
- keep a calm tone and don't reveal that you urgently need the money;
- justify the price with facts: the zone, the length of the name, comparable sales;
- put agreements in writing so the terms don't shift along the way;
- don't agree to non-standard payment schemes that only the buyer is proposing.
If negotiations stall or the other party applies pressure, an intermediary helps you keep a level head and bring the conversation to a result.
A secure deal and transfer of rights
The final stage is to structure the sale so that both sides are protected. What matters here is not speed but the order of actions.
- agree on the amount, timing, and payment method before the transfer begins;
- settle through an escrow agent or broker who holds the domain and the funds until the conditions are met;
- receive payment, and only then transfer the domain to the buyer;
- record the change of owner with the registrar.
An escrow agent or broker removes the main risk: the buyer is confident of receiving the domain, and you are confident of receiving the money. For more on how to protect your settlements, see our material on the secure deal (Escrow) for a domain.