How to Buy a Domain Name That is Taken (9 Pro Tips)

Have you ever come up with the perfect domain name for a new business or product, only to find it had already been taken? It’s frustrating, and we’ve been there more than once ourselves.

If a better alternative were available, we’d go for it. But when that wasn’t an option, we turned to a number of proven strategies to see if we could still secure the domain name we had in mind.

In this guide, we’ll share the steps we’ve taken to buy a domain name already taken. From negotiating with domain owners to getting the best deal, these are insider tips we’ve used to land the right domains for our projects.

By the end, you’ll have a solid plan to get the domain name you want, without the headaches we’ve learned to avoid.

Here is a quick overview of the topics we’ll cover in this guide:

Now, let’s dive right in!

The Basics of Buying a Domain Name That’s Already Taken

All websites need a domain name. It’s your website’s address on the internet. We’ve worked with domains for years. If you’re not 100% sure what a domain name is, check out our beginner’s guide on how domain names work.

You can typically register a new domain name for around $10 – $15 from top domain registrars. We’ve registered hundreds of domains ourselves at this price point.

Alternatively, you can even get a free domain name when you sign up with hosting companies like Bluehost, Hostinger, SiteGround, and others. We’ve used these deals for many of our projects, and they’re a great way to save money.

But what if the domain name you want has already been taken?

In that case, you have two options: come up with a different name or buy the one you want from its current owner.

We’ve done both, and each option has its own set of pros and cons.

Buying a domain name from someone who has it already registered could be a great move for your business, and we’ve seen this work out well many times.

However, it’s important to be aware of risks and scams so you don’t waste time or money. In our years of buying domains, we’ve encountered both.

That’s why we’ve put together these tips on buying a taken domain as safely as possible, based on what we’ve learned from our own experiences.

What to Consider Before Buying a Domain Name

One key question we always ask ourselves is whether to purchase just a domain name or an established website. We’ve faced this decision many times, and the right choice depends on your goals.

Buying a website, especially one with a consistent track record of making money online, can be a great shortcut. We’ve seen this work out well for businesses looking to hit the ground running with an existing revenue stream.

It lets you step into a money-making business right away, rather than having to build one from scratch, something we’ve experienced firsthand when taking over established sites.

However, buying a website is significantly more expensive than buying just a domain name. You’ll also have more risks and legal liabilities to consider, and we’ve navigated those challenges ourselves in past deals.

How to Actually Buy a Taken Domain Name

There are two main routes we’ve used to buy domain names that are already taken:

• Privately approaching the domain name’s owner and agreeing on the sale
• Looking for the name in domain marketplaces.

The first method avoids involving a third party in the sale, and in our experience, you may be able to negotiate more favorable pricing by dealing directly with the owner.

If the domain name already has a website with a contact form, you can use that to contact the site owner. We’ve found this approach to be a straightforward way to start the conversation.

Alternatively, you can search for it using the Domain.com WHOIS tool. We’ve used this tool to locate the contact details of domain owners in the past, which often gives you the upper hand when negotiating directly.

The second method is to look for the name using online domain marketplaces. Many domain owners use these marketplaces to sell their domain names. We’ve had success using this route, as it’s more structured and often quicker than private negotiation.

We recommend using Domain.com. It’s one of the best places we’ve found for registering or purchasing domain names for sale.

Simply search for the domain name you’re looking for to see if it’s available for sale.

Domain names that are already taken may be highlighted as premium domain names with a higher price.

If you find the domain name listed there, you can add it to the cart and proceed to payment. We’ve used this process ourselves and found it smooth and reliable.

You can also try multiple domain marketplaces like Sedo, Flippa, and others to see if the domain is listed for sale there.

We’ve explored various platforms over the years, and it’s always worth checking a few to increase your chances.

If the domain name isn’t listed anywhere, then it’s likely unavailable for sale. However, you can still try the first method of approaching the owner with your offer.

We’ve succeeded with this method, even when the domain wasn’t publicly for sale.

That being said, let’s look at some tips to make sure you buy your domain name safely.

Tip 1: Avoid Using a Different Extension Instead

If you find that your domain name is taken when using a .com, it might be tempting to opt for a different domain extension like .net or .org. We’ve seen this scenario many times while working with customers and businesses looking for their perfect domain.

However, this can cause problems, as people may forget your domain extension and type in .com or .org instead. From our experience, this happens more often than you’d think, especially if the .com version is well-established.

You may even face legal issues if the .com owner claims you’re infringing on their brand. This is particularly the case if they’ve registered it as a trademark. We’ve seen this situation come up before, so it’s important to avoid potential legal headaches by securing the .com when possible.

Our article on choosing the best domain name covers more details, which can help you make this decision.

Tip 2: Check the Domain Name Isn’t a Registered Trademark

If the domain name is a registered trademark of an existing business, you could be forced to take your website offline in the future. We’ve encountered this situation before, and it’s something to be cautious about.

It’s well worth doing a quick search of the US trademark database to check if your domain name is already being used by another company. We always recommend this step to avoid any legal issues down the road. Checking local databases is also important, especially if your business will operate regionally.

Even a domain name that includes a trademarked term can cause problems. For instance, using the word “WordPress” in your domain name is prohibited, something we’ve learned firsthand through working within the WordPress ecosystem.

Tip 3: Don’t Get Too Emotionally Attached

Starting a new online business idea is exciting. Since your domain name plays a key role, it’s easy to get emotionally attached to a specific name. We’ve been through this many times ourselves.

However, you need to be smart and rational about all financial investment decisions, including this one.

We always recommend keeping your options open and seriously considering multiple domain names. Over the years, this approach has helped us find great alternatives when the original name was out of reach.

This strategy will also help you during negotiations, allowing you to get the best deal without overpaying for your domain name. We’ve used this technique ourselves to avoid emotional decision-making and save money.

Remember, the cost of premium domain names can range from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the demand.

Having options ensures that you don’t end up paying a huge sum of money for a domain name that’s really not much better than another option that could be 1/10th of the price.

Tip 4: Check If a Website Has Ever Been Built There

Make sure you check the website history using the WayBack Machine. We’ve used this tool often, and it’s a reliable way to see if the domain name has been used by someone else in the past.

It’s alright if the domain has been used before, but you want to make sure it wasn’t associated with any malicious, spammy, or illegal activities. In our experience, a domain’s history can affect your reputation, so it’s worth checking thoroughly.

This may harm your business’s reputation and could even lead to legal issues down the road. We’ve seen cases where a Google penalty was attached to a domain, and removing such penalties takes considerable time and resources.

The WayBack Machine is also a smart way to find information about domain owners. We’ve used it ourselves to dig deeper into domains’ histories before making a purchase.

Tip 5: Figure Out What the Domain Is Worth

Domain name pricing can be tricky. If you’re new to buying domains, you might wonder whether the price you’re being quoted is a bargain, a rip-off, or something in between. We’ve been through this process many times and understand how confusing it can feel.

The truth is that there’s no standard regulation for premium domain name pricing. Sellers independently decide the price, and it’s up to you as the buyer to determine whether it’s worth the investment.

Premium domain names can range from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. In fact, some rare premium domains even enter the million-dollar range. We’ve seen deals across all these price points during our time in the industry.

If you’re new to this, using a tool like EstiBot can give you a general idea of what the domain may be worth. We’ve used it ourselves to gauge a rough valuation, especially when entering negotiations.

If the domain is priced too high (and it often will be), you’ll need to be prepared to haggle. We never recommend starting by offering the maximum you’re willing to pay. Instead, start with a lower price and expect to meet somewhere in the middle, as we’ve done in many successful deals.

Remember, there’s a limit to how low the seller will go. Don’t expect someone asking for $20,000 to settle for $500. From our experience, that’s highly unlikely.

However, just because someone asks for $20,000 doesn’t mean you need to meet them halfway. We’ve often secured domain deals originally priced at $20k for somewhere between $3k and $6k, so negotiating can pay off.

Tip 6: Know Exactly What You’re Buying

Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. Is it just the domain name, or are you buying a website as well? From our experience, it’s important to clarify whether you’re getting only the domain or the entire site, including its assets.

If you’re purchasing a website, does that include all the content? We’ve seen cases where buyers assumed content was included, only to find out later it wasn’t. Asking upfront can save you a lot of hassle.

Established websites often use various plugins and tools for which the owner has licenses. Based on our experience, those licenses usually aren’t transferred during the sale, so you’ll need to be prepared to purchase them yourself.

Be clear on whether you’ll receive other assets, like the website’s email list data. We’ve found that having these additional assets can greatly enhance the value of the purchase.

If the domain or website is a large purchase, having a lawyer draw up a contract is essential. We’ve worked with legal experts in IP (Intellectual Property) law in the past to ensure everything is secure and clear.

Even if you’re making a smaller purchase, be sure to get all key details in writing. We’ve learned that having things written down helps prevent any future misunderstandings.

Tip 7: Make Sure You’re Buying From the Domain’s Owner

Imagine this: you hand over your money for a domain name, only to find out that the domain has been stolen. We’ve seen instances of this happening, and it’s a nightmare scenario.

Not only do you lose your money, but you also aren’t the legal owner of the domain.

Unfortunately, this can happen. To prevent it, an excellent initial step is to use a tool like DNS Trails to check whether there have been any recent changes to the DNS records.

We’ve used this method before, and if something looks unusual, it’s important to ask for an explanation before proceeding.

If all your contact with the domain owner has been via email, it’s worth getting a phone number to speak with them directly. From our experience, email accounts can be hacked or faked, so confirming their identity over the phone adds an extra layer of security to the transaction.

Tip 8: Use Escrow to Transfer the Money

You might feel nervous about buying a domain name, especially if it involves a significant sum. We’ve been there ourselves, wondering what would happen if the seller took the money and didn’t transfer the domain name. It’s a valid concern.

The best solution is to use a service like Escrow.com. We’ve used this method multiple times when buying high-value domains.

You hand over the money to Escrow, and they hold it securely until you confirm that you’ve received the domain name. Once you’re satisfied, they release the funds to the seller.

Escrow.com has facilitated the purchase of some hugely famous domain names, including Twitter.com, Gmail.com, WordPress.com, and more.

Note that using Escrow comes with a fee, but in our experience, the peace of mind it provides is well worth the cost.

Tip 9: Consider Backordering a Domain You Want

Every day, thousands of domain names expire and lose their registration. We’ve seen this happen countless times as businesses fail to take off or domain owners lose interest.

In some cases, the owner might simply forget to renew the domain. We’ve come across situations where domain renewals were missed, creating opportunities for others to snag the domain.

You don’t have to watch the domain name constantly to see when it’s about to expire. There are plenty of services that will monitor the domain name for you. We’ve used these services ourselves, and they’ll automatically try to register the domain the moment it’s available.

For domain backorders, you can use Network Solutions or GoDaddy. Plenty of other sites offer similar services, and we’ve found them useful in certain cases.

The issue with back-ordering is that it may not always work. We’ve experienced cases where the domain owner renews their domain at the last minute, or someone else has already placed a backorder before you, giving them priority.

Final Thoughts + Alternative Strategies

Buying a domain name that’s already taken is never an easy process. From our experience, it can take anywhere from a few days to several months. We’ve even had instances where it took years to finally convince the owner to sell.

That’s why we always recommend having a few alternative options in mind when searching for domains. Over the years, we’ve used tools like the Nameboy domain name generator to help us brainstorm new ideas.

Alternatively, you can try our AI-powered business name generator tool, which has helped us come up with creative, brandable names for several projects.

Here are some clever tips we’ve personally used to come up with alternative domain names:

• Add a verb to your keyword – We’ve done this with domains like getpocket.com, getcloudapp.com, and tryinteract.com.
• Extend your brand with a keyword – Brands like invisionapp.com and gogoair.com have done this successfully. Even Tesla started with TeslaMotors.com before acquiring tesla.com. We’ve seen other companies do the same, including Buffer with bufferapp.com before getting buffer.com.
• Use abbreviations – We’ve done this ourselves with wpbeginner.com, wpforms.com, and other brands we’ve launched over the years.
• Use a catchphrase or adjective – Brands like optinmonster.com, trustpulse.com, and monsterinsights.com have done this to great effect.

We hope this article helped you learn how to buy a domain name that’s already taken. You may also want to see our guide on renewing a domain name or see this article on buying a domain name anonymously.

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