Cars.com, sold for a whopping $872 million, is the most expensive domain sale ever made worldwide. Similarly, 360.com, business.com, and LasVegas.com were purchased for millions of dollars which compels one to wonder why businesses are willing to pay such hefty amounts for these premium domains. But what makes a domain premium and what exactly do we mean by premium domains?
This article explains what a premium domain name is and why some domains are so expensive. Further, we will also examine the benefits of a premium domain name for businesses.
Without further ado, let us dive right in.
What is a Premium Domain Name?
A premium domain name is one of the most sought digital or web addresses that is easy to recall, short, and has some popular trending names. Premium domains, as the name suggests are sold at a higher price compared to regular domains due to their perceived value.
Premium domains justify their high price tag because of their effectiveness in search engine optimisation (SEO) and marketing, drawing higher traffic, better engagement, and allowing businesses to establish a solid online presence.
Who Owns Premium Domains?
Premium domains are owned by companies, individuals, and different types of organisations that predict their strategic value.
For example, companies including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have purchased premium domains such as microsoft.com, Alphabet.com, and AWS.com.
Additionally, premium domains are also purchased by domain brokers, tech companies, industry leaders, and governments.
Benefits of Premium Domain Names
Now that we know what a premium domain name is, let us explore its benefits and how they help businesses establish a robust online presence and attain business growth.
1. Brand Recognition
All business owners want their audience or potential customers to remember their business’s name. Similarly, a premium domain name can have a lasting impact on people and how they remember your site’s name. These domains are memorable, short, and relevant to the business, making them more appealing than other generic domains.
2. Trust and Credibility
It is imperative for people to trust your business and a premium domain name builds trust and credibility. A premium domain name is not just another web address, but a certificate of trust and credibility; the two key pillars for a business to succeed. A premium domain name reassures your target audience that they are engaging and dealing with a legitimate business, boosting the chances of converting into paying customers.
3. Investment
A domain name is a digital address for your business. Similar to real estate, the value of domain names has the potential to fluctuate over time. A catchy yet unclaimed domain name can be a good investment opportunity since its value is likely to increase in the future, making it a smart and calculated financial investment. As more and more businesses turn to digital marketing, the demand for domain names is set to increase, making premium domain names a valuable asset.
4. High Traffic
Many domain names attract high traffic even if the website is not managed actively due to their age and how they were used before. Most search engines recognise these domains and attract a significant number of people which means that the foundations are already in place for high online visibility.
5. Competitive Edge
Purchasing a premium domain name offers a competitive edge over other players in the market as it sets you apart making your online marketing efforts more fruitful. As the world wide web becomes increasingly crowded, a premium domain offers several advantages helping you cut through the competition.
Why Are Premium Domains a Good Investment?
There are numerous reasons why you should consider investing in premium domains. This section highlights some convincing arguments on why purchasing a premium domain is worth it.
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Value of Premium Domains Increases Over Time
The value of premium domains typically increases over time due to several reasons including increasing demand and dearth of short, crisp, relevant, and memorable domain names. Additionally, there is a good chance that your investment could appreciate significantly, making premium domain investments financially appealing.
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Resale Avenues
Many people purchase premium domains at a reasonable price with the hope of reselling them at a higher price in the future. Yes, there are thousands of domain brokers in the market who are looking for buyers that are likely to pay a premium fee to purchase a domain. Since the demand for premium domains is rising consistently, there are several resale opportunities in the current landscape.
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Diversify Investments
Investing in premium domains is a good way to diversify your investment portfolio, offering you an upper hand over many investors that typically invest in volatile markets and conventional asset classes.
How to Buy a Premium Domain?
Buying a premium domain is simple and easy. Here is what you need to do.
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Fix a Budget
It is important to understand that premium domains are expensive, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. Therefore, set aside a realistic budget to ensure you do not overspend.
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Search for Domains
You can search for premium domains on different marketplaces or domain registrars to search for premium domains. Here, it is important to ensure that the domains are listed as “premium”.
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Check Domain Ownership
Check whether the domain you are interested in buying is listed for sale or not. You can use the WHOIS tool to extract all the key contact information about the current owner and contact them directly or via a broker to enquire about the domain.
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Price
You can reach out to the owner if the domain is already owned or purchase an unsold domain from a marketplace or domain registrar at the listed price. Complete the payment and secure the domain transfer.
Parting Notes
All things said and done; it is worth noting that investing in a premium domain can play a key role in establishing your business’s online presence. It is important to research, understand how the premium domain markets work, and evaluate whether investing in a premium domain can scale your business’s growth.
What is Premium Domain Name & It’s Benefits – FAQ’s
What is an example of a premium domain?
Some notable examples of a premium domain include, voice.com, chat.com, ai.com, and beer.com to name a few.
What is the most ever paid for a domain name?
The most expensive premium domain name was sold at a whopping $872 million.
How long does it take to get a premium domain?
The time to own a premium domain can vary from a few weeks to even years depending on different factors including ownership, payment process, and domain transfer procedures.