Every now and then, I run into someone who has a domain name they would like to sell but is unsure how to go about doing it.

Question:

I have a domain name that I think is valuable. How do I sell it? How can I make them stand out?

Answer:

I use a service called Sedo. I’ve compiled a list of the top 12 ways you can help promote your domain and make the most of Sedo’s online marketplace:

Park the domain with Sedo if you haven’t already.

Because the parked page displays a sales message and links to a domain’s offer page, your chances of selling are four times higher.  A visitor may arrive at the domain because they are interested in buying it; however, that visitor might not be aware of Sedo’s award-winning services.  This way, you have given the buyer a means of placing an offer both safely and securely.

Order Category Showcases or Homepage Featured Listings.

Place your domain in a more visible location within Sedo’s domain catalog to make it easier to find when buyers browse the homepage or the categories.  Most buyers will start in these areas, and a showcase or featured listing can increase the chances of selling by up to five times.

Order a Sedo appraisal

so that you know the value of your domain name, especially if you are unsure about pricing. Listing your domain with a reasonable price that reflects today’s domain market is one of the best ways to make a sale.  Buyers respond well to reasonable prices and expectations that remain consistent from start-to-finish.  For more information or to order, please visit Sedo’s Domain Appraisal overview.

Assign the domains asking prices.

Listing a domain with an up-to-date price will always generate more bids than a domain listed as “Make Offer” without a price specified.  Listing your domain with a “Fixed Price” also has its advantages.  With no need for potentially lengthy back and forth negotiations, an agreement is reached when a buyer simply accepts your listed fixed price.  Domains set with fixed prices might sell up to 3x faster than domains set as “Make Offer.”

Connect your offer pages.

Sedo allows sellers to link to their portfolio from each domain’s offer page.  Log in, navigate to My Sedo > Domain Management, and click on any domain name.  Deselect the box next to “Do not link to my entire portfolio from this offer page,” select the option to “Apply this setting to all of my domains,” and save your changes.  Interested bidders may view your entire portfolio from the “Meet the Seller” section.

Use Sedo’s external link system to promote your domains.

On any website you control, you can link to: https://sedo.com/search/details/?ab_test_odp_version=A&domain=DOMAIN.TLD.  You need to make sure that “DOMAIN.TLD” is replaced by the domain name you want to sell.  When viewers click on this link they will be redirected to the given offer page at Sedo.

Choose at least 2 categories for each domain you list.

Not only will the domain be available through searches, but it will also appear in more locations to browsing buyers.  More categories = more exposure = higher chances of a sale.

Auction your domain.

Sedo offers two types of auctions that you can use to increase visibility for your domain and encourage competitive bidding (pending certain conditions have been met).  If you receive an offer, consider pushing the domain into a Marketplace Auction.  Or, if you own a more generic, highly marketable domain, apply for one of Sedo’s monthly Premium Auction Events.

Apply for Sedo’s seller-side brokerage service.

Sedo’s brokers know the industry better than anyone and look for premium, high-quality domains.  If your application is approved, your dedicated broker will work with you to price the domains, determine a sales strategy, and locate buyers.  Also, your broker might be able to include one or more of your domains in a live auction.  To learn more visit the seller-side brokerage service overview.

Change the public Whois information for the domain to let people know that the name is for sale.

You can update the admin contact information to read: “Owner Name (This name is for sale at Sedo.com).”  This setting is adjustable through your registrar.  Domain-savvy investors may start with Whois; for secure negotiations, let bidders know up front you want to work through our online marketplace.

Reply to EVERY offer, even if it’s low!

Very often, potential buyers will start out low to “test the waters.” You can then quote a higher price in return and try to establish some common ground in the middle. Just don’t forget: always remain reasonable in your expectations.

Keep your Sedo contact information up to date.

If you change your email address without changing the email listed in your Sedo account, the bid notifications will not reach you. Accurate and current information is required to avoid missing unique negotiation opportunities!