The Complete Glossary of Domain Investing Terms Every Indie Hacker Should Know

What is Domain Investing, Really?

Domain investing means buying domain names with the intent to resell them for profit. You're not building a site - you're holding digital real estate. The trick is spotting names that businesses, startups, or squatters will pay a premium for later. Most indie hackers start with hand-regged names under $12 and work up.

Why Should an Indie Hacker Care?

You've already got a side project graveyard. Some of those domains might be worth more dead than alive. Understanding this domain investing glossary helps you avoid overpaying for junk names and spot undervalued gems. Plus, if you ever bury your dead project, knowing the terms helps you price it right.

The Core Valuation Terms

What Makes a Domain Valuable?

Short names, .com extensions, brandable spellings, and high-traffic keywords. A 4-letter .com like xylo.com can fetch $10k+ because it's memorable and scarce. Long hyphenated names with numbers? Worth reg fee. Valuation is part art, part checking comparable sales on NameBio or DNJournal.

What is Aftermarket Pricing?

Aftermarket means domains already owned by someone else. Prices vary wildly - from $50 for a dropped name to $500k for voice.com. You'll find aftermarket names on marketplaces like Sedo, Afternic, and GoDaddy Auctions. Browse the graveyard to see what indie hackers thought their dead projects were worth.

What is Appraisal vs. Market Price?

An appraisal is an automated guess (EstiBot, GoDaddy Appraisal). Market price is what someone actually pays. Appraisals are often inflated - take them with a grain of salt. A $3,000 appraisal means nothing if similar names sell for $100. Always check recent sales.

Buying and Selling Channels

What are Domain Marketplaces?

Platforms where domains are listed for sale. Sedo, Afternic, GoDaddy Auctions, and Flippa are the big four. Each takes a commission (10-20%). dead.domains is different - it's a graveyard, not a marketplace. Buyers message owners directly; no commissions, no escrow.

What is Hand Registration?

Buying an unregistered domain from a registrar for standard pricing ($8-$15/year). This is how most indie hackers start. You check availability, pick a name, pay reg fee. No middleman. Risk is low, but most hand-regged names never sell.

What is the Expired Domain Market?

Domains whose registration lapsed and are now available again. You can catch them through backorder services like DropCatch or SnapNames. Competition is fierce for good names. Prices start at $10 for backorder attempts plus reg fee if you win.

Negotiation and Transfer Mechanics

What is BIN (Buy It Now)?

A fixed price the seller accepts immediately - no negotiation. Common on Sedo and Afternic. BIN prices are usually higher than auction starting bids but lower than what a patient seller might counter-negotiate. If you see a BIN you like, buy it fast.

What is Escrow in Domain Sales?

A neutral third party holds the buyer's money until the domain transfers. Escrow.com is the standard. Never send payment directly to a stranger - always use escrow for deals over $500. Escrow fees run 1-3%, split between buyer and seller.

What is a Domain Push?

Transferring domain ownership between two accounts at the same registrar. No auth code needed - you just "push" the domain to the buyer's username. Common for cheap sales ($50-$200) where escrow feels overkill. Still get payment first.

The Graveyard Connection

How Does dead.domains Fit In?

dead.domains is where you list a failed side project domain for $1. Buyers browse the graveyard, see your project's story, and message you directly. No bidding, no commissions. It's a dead-simple way to liquidate a name you'd otherwise drop.

Domain Investing Glossary: FAQs