How to Buy

A better way to buy domain names

There are several ways with Moniker and SnapNames to buy both new domains and already registered domains. And if you’re managing a lot of domains, we have intuitive, powerful bulk management tools to streamline the workload.

Fast, economical new domain registrations on Moniker

Searching for and registering new domain names made fast and efficient with Moniker. Getting started is easy.

Step 1: Start a Moniker domain search for individual domain names you’re interested in – or use the Bulk Search to search for as many as 50 domain names at once.

Step 2: In search results you’ll see green checkmarks next to any available domains. Just add them to your shopping cart to take control of them with a few more clicks.

More options for registered domains - Backorder, Make Offer, and the Open Market

When a domain is already registered you have a variety of unique purchasing options with SnapNames and Moniker:

• Backorder: These domain names are not expected to become available for at least 36 days. SnapNames will watch for and try to obtain these domain names for you if and when they become available. You will not be charged unless SnapNames acquires the name for you and you are the winner of the resulting auction. Start a SnapNames domain search and place a backorder.
• Make offer: Let us help you take control of a registered domain. Activate the Moniker sales force who will work on your behalf to track down the domain owner and begin the process of negotiating a sale. Start a Moniker Make Offer Inquiry
• Buy an already registered domain: based on your domain name search, we’ll also make recommendations for similar domains. These domains are available for immediate purchase, make offer, or in an auction. See below for more information.

Domains on the open market

Moniker and SnapNames operate some of the world’s largest domain name auctions and brokerage services.

We pioneered the auction and brokerage format a decade ago, with expertise in privately owned domains as well as dropped and deleting domains. The auctions have grown by leaps and bounds since then – and buyers and sellers from around the world use our auctions powered by SnapNames as a trusted source for registered domain names:

• Daily Auction: a fully automated auction with thousands of new listings added daily
• Monthly Showcase Auction: where domains hand-picked for performance potential are put up for sale each month
• Live Auction Events: where the rock stars of domain names are offered at special auction events, scheduled throughout the year
• Private Brokerage: still not finding the perfect domain - put our domain sales specialist on the hunt on your behalf

Start a SnapNames domain search to find names for sale on the open market.

Daily Domain Auction – how to buy

The SnapNames Daily Auction has over two million listings – quite possibly some that may enhance your online identity strategy. The process is simple:

Step 1: Start by logging into your SnapNames account – or set up a free account.

Step 2: Enter the name you want in the Start Your Search box and click the orange arrow.

Step 3: You can also search for available domains or browse by category or price by clicking on Advanced Search.

Step 4: To order the domain, click on the button in the Status column to the right of the name. This will move the domain name into your Shopping Cart. Learn more about statuses.

Step 5: When you are done ordering domains, click on the View Cart link to the right of the Status column to go to the Shopping Cart.

Step 6: Click on the Place Order button to complete your order.

Step 7: You can verify that your order has been placed by going to My Account/Buyer Dashboard and clicking on the Pending Orders menu item.

Monthly Showcase – how to buy

The Showcase Auction is a market for domains handpicked for performance potential. Each Showcase includes domains that fit within a specific theme or category.

The Showcase starts the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. ET (noon PT) and end the following Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. ET (12:15 p.m. PT). See upcoming Showcase Auctions.

The catalog will be posted around seven days prior to the start date. In most cases, this would be the first Tuesday of each month. Last-minute changes may be posted up to the event start.

You can watch the auction without bidding simply by signing into your SnapNames account. When you want to watch a listing or place a bid:

Step 1: Log into your SnapNames account or set up your free account and log in.

Step 2: Click to the Showcase Headquarters page. http://showcase.snapnames.com/

Step 3: You can watch the auction as long as you wish without bidding.

Step 4: To watch a listing, click the binoculars icon to add the domain to your active auctions.

Step 5: To bid, just click the “Place Bid” button next to any listed domain name.

Step 6: For any domains you win SnapNames will work with the seller to complete the sale as soon as possible.

Step 7: Your account will be charged upon the successful completion of the auction. We accept credit card, check, wire transfer, PayPal and other payment options. Special payment financing arrangements may be requested through our partners.

Step 8: Your purchase is protected by our secure domain transaction process. Funds and domain codes are held in a secure account and transferred simultaneously when the terms of the sale are final.

Moniker Brokerage – when domains play hard-to-get

The most desirable, high-value and hard-to-get domain names generally won’t show up on auction listings.

For those, it’s best to contact Moniker’s experienced broker team. Moniker has over 10 years experience brokering private, high-value transactions for sought-after domain names.

The broker will work with both buyer and seller to shepherd a mutually beneficial deal. Moniker also offers a comprehensive appraisal service to help buyers and sellers gauge domain market value.

• Learn more about brokerage services
• Contact a broker