Best way to purchase an 'in use' domain...
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Business Manager at Web Windows Marketing Ltd
12 October 2006 15:30pm
Hi,
I am after a domain name that is currently being used as a holding page; I would like to know the best way to get in contact with the website owner to discuss purchasing the domain.
If anybody can help, it would be great
ComDesk
12 October 2006 16:55pm
The best way is : to look for 'whois' sites on google, then type in the domain name you're lookin for. Any 'whois' site should provide you with all needed informations about who owns this domain along with its address, email, and possibly phone numbers.
Owner at Wise Consulting
12 October 2006 18:29pm
It can be really difficult. I have tried in the past, but often the contact details in "whois" are incomplete, inaccurate or that of the hosting company. They won't pass on the owners contact details or broker a sale. There is a company called Sedo who will perform an evaluation of the value of the domain name, and attempt to buy it, but the couple of times I have used them, they have failed to broker a deal for me.. Good luck!
Business Manager at Web Windows Marketing Ltd
13 October 2006 12:04pm
Thanks for the tips. I know that it can be tricky getting hold of the owner, I hope I do eventually........
Managing Director at Shine Marketing
16 October 2006 16:47pm
A few tips I've picked up in this area that may be useful.
1) Start with the whois data if available
2) Try emailing addresses such as info@ or webmaster@ . These will usually be forwarded to another 'real' address
3) Try to work out if the name owner is actively looking to sell the name, or has plans for it. The copy on the holding page should give an indication. If the latter, don't expect much of a response unless you are offering thousands.
4) Unfortunatley the more desperate you seem, the more the price will go up!
5) Try looking at other sites that link to the one you are after, they may well be owned by the same person. Use Alltheweb.com rather than Google as they are more transparent with thier search results.
6) Check when the domain expires, there are services available that can pick up the name for you then if you are lucky.
7) Remember that the value of a domain is mostly what you are prepared to put into promoting it. Only a very few generic names are really worth big bucks.
Business Manager at Web Windows Marketing Ltd
16 October 2006 16:56pm
Thanks for the pointers, I am currently awaiting a response from a letter I have sent out to the registered address.
I have tried mailing the webmaster and info@ addresses but they just bounce back.
What would happen if I cant get in touch with the owner?
Managing Director at Shine Marketing
16 October 2006 17:25pm
Depends what the situation is.
If they are guilty of trademark infringement you may be able to get it off them via ICANN or their registrar.
If not, they have no obligation to respond to you so I'd give it a couple of weeks at most then pursue other ideas for names.
Unless you've got a stack of cash ready for a big play on a generic domain like 'loans.co.uk' or similar, I personally wouldn't bother