How to Buy a Domain Name Owned by Someone Else

Ever gotten a great idea for a domain name, only to find out it's taken? You're not alone. This happens thousands of times each day. Most people give up and settle for a less-desirable name, but you don't always have to settle for a second-rate domain. If you've absolutely got to have a previously

There are three main methods of acquiring a domain owned by someone else.

Buy Direct and Save — Maybe
First, try visiting the URL in question. If you end up with a "parked" Web page or no page at all, you could be in luck. This means that the domain is not being actively used and may be for sale.

Many domain names that are for sale will have a page that states it is available for purchase. If this is the case, contact the owner to see how much they are asking for the domain.

If there's no page at all, it's possible the owner plans to use it in the future, or maybe he or she is just hanging on to it. Either way, you may be able to convince them to sell. Many owners will consider this if the price is right. You can find the contact information for any domain by performing a Whois search at the InterNIC Web site or through most domain name registrars.

If a site does load, don't lose hope yet. You can still contact the owner and see if they're willing to part with it. Be prepared to pay more, however, in this instance.

If you pursue any of these options, you can expect to pay anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to possibly thousands per domain The market sets the price, according to the popularity of the domain name and its keyword potential.

Enter the Open Market
There are also sites that specialize in offering popular domain names for sale. These companies purchase domain names in bulk and resell them, or act as brokers to match sellers with buyers. These resellers and brokers are looking to make a profit, so you'll likely pay dearly for the domain you want. But shop around; if your desired domain is esoteric and obscure, you might be able to find a bargain.

If you do find a willing seller for a domain name, make sure you write up a domain name purchase agreement. You can find a good Pro-Buyer Domain Name Purchase Agreement in AllBusiness.com's Forms & Agreements Center.

Timing Is Everything
Another option you have is to wait for the domain name to expire, in hopes that the current owner won't renew it. There are several companies that offer wait list services where you can pay a fee, normally $60, to be the first in line to register the domain as soon as it becomes available again.

However, this fee is not refundable if the domain is renewed by the current owner, so you will need to weigh the costs and benefit of this approach. You may be better off just waiting for the 30-day redemption period and 5-day waiting period to elapse if the domain is due to expire soon. This is riskier — in the event that the current owner does let it lapse, someone else may get there first — but there's no financial risk involved.

Just because a domain is registered doesn't necessarily mean it's out of reach. If you're willing to pay a little extra, you just might end up with the perfect domain name.