You’ve got a domain name and are thinking about selling it to a big company. But how do you grab their attention and convince them it’s worth big bucks? This requires understanding the needs and motivations of large enterprises. Selling domains to corporations requires a specific strategy.
This guide details how to sell domains to big companies successfully, covering valuation, negotiation, and transfer. Let’s explore turning your domain listing into a lucrative deal.
Why Big Companies Purchase Domains
Big companies buy premium domain names for various reasons. They are valuable digital assets that can impact a company’s brand, online presence, and profits.
A good domain builds brand recognition, creates a better customer experience, and increases sales. It also improves SEO performance through an exact match for industry terms. Further, they use domain registration to expand into new markets.
Domains also consolidate products under one site and mitigate legal issues, which help prevent reputational damage and stop competitors. Established and growing businesses see premium domain acquisitions as an investment.
How to Sell Domains to Big Companies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Selling a domain to a corporation differs from selling to an individual. More is at stake, negotiations are more complex, and the process requires more professionalism.
This walkthrough gives you the insights to approach big companies and close deals. Use this information when considering how to price a domain.
1. Research and Preparation: Know Your Target
Before contacting big companies, do your homework and learn how to appraise a domain.
Understand their industry, brand, digital presence, and potential uses for your domain name. Researching a domain is key to making a successful domain sale.
Look at their existing domain portfolio. This research shows you’re serious and helps tailor your pitch. The tesla.com sale exemplifies a brand reclaiming its online presence. Use Google Trends and Google Ads Keyword Planner to research keyword popularity and compare your keywords to ShortNames. Think about how many domains are registered that could be an easy sell to a potential buyer.
2. Domain Valuation: What’s Your Domain Worth?
Accurate domain valuation is crucial when selling to corporations. Overpricing repels buyers, while underselling loses you money. The top-level domain can help potential buyers see considerable web traffic and therefore higher sales potential.
Domainindex.com offers domain appraisal. Afternic or Efty help value domains. Consider NamePros or NameBio for up-to-date information. Try domain parking services and manage your domain listing.
Flippa auctions domain names. Brandability—how well the name aligns with a company’s image—is essential. Is your domain brandable, short, memorable, keyword-rich, with existing SEO traffic and a top-level domain?
3. Making the Approach: Reaching Out to Big Companies
Selling domains to corporations isn’t about cold calls. A targeted approach yields better results.
Leverage your network. Who do you know who could connect you to the company’s digital or marketing team? Avoid generic emails if a potential connection works better.
If going in cold, personalize your communication. Find the correct contact person to email about selling your domain. Craft a message stating the domain’s value and why it aligns with their objectives.
4. Negotiation: Secure the Best Deal
Be prepared to negotiate when selling to corporations. This takes more than researching domain marketplaces.
Big companies like Forbes often seek legal assistance for large domain deals. Set your walk-away price—your absolute minimum.
Consider a domain broker if you don’t want to negotiate on your own. You will need to understand their fee structure, however they often have connections to larger corporations making it a smooth transition. These professional brokers help manage a considerable web presence.
5. Due Diligence and Legal
Before finalizing, both parties should perform due diligence. This safeguards both sides. Make sure a domain appraisal has been done to see the true value and that price estimates were reviewed before you consider using credit cards to buy.
Ensure all legal aspects are correct. Consult with legal counsel specializing in domain sales, especially for high-value deals, to protect your interests. It’s good practice to check that the domains registered are actually quality domains with ownership rights available.
You will need a proper domain transfer when you sell domains so a clear transfer of domain registration occurs. Be sure the transfer domain steps are clear for all.
6. Secure Payment and Transfer: Escrow
Escrow services ensure both parties fulfill their obligations. The buyer deposits the agreed amount, and the domain is held in escrow during transfer. Having a short domain can drive higher domain appraisal numbers when the domain appraisal tools review them. Many of the domain categories listed above come with shorter domains which make them attractive and easier to search via search engines. Be sure you use search engine results data if available as that helps give an overall appraisal for all domains registered for better or worse.
Escrow uses secure payment options like credit cards. Be sure all domain transfer steps are done when listing domains or when looking at a domain listing for auction on auction sites.
Auction sites sell domain names and sometimes you can sell domains quickly using those. However many brokers sell and it’s always best to do the necessary steps like researching domain costs for specific domains registered.
7. Post-Sale: Smooth Transition and Handover
Selling domains to corporations involves more than just getting paid. Facilitate a smooth ownership transfer via domain registrars.
This transition often involves domain hosting and parking services. Providing necessary documentation maintains professionalism and can lead to future partnerships.
Conclusion
Selling domains to big companies presents opportunities and challenges. By understanding the corporate mindset and valuing domains strategically, you’re positioned for successful sales.
Turn digital assets into strategic opportunities by considering the sales potential you might be leaving behind. By learning the basics of how to price a domain name, or to price domain based on other comparable sales data, the easier the selling domains portion will become. Selling domains can be profitable.
