Why does one domain cost $100 and another $5,000? To first-time buyers, domain prices can look random. In reality, a handful of clear factors decide what a name is worth. Once you understand them, you can judge whether a price is fair in seconds.
1. Length
Shorter is almost always more valuable. Short names are easier to remember, type and fit on a logo, and there are far fewer of them. A five-letter brandable .com like Vjew.com will usually cost more than a long phrase.
2. Extension
The .com extension commands the highest prices because it's the one people assume by default. Strong country extensions like .de and .co.uk are valuable in their own markets. Newer extensions can be useful but tend to resell for less. See our comparison of .com vs .net vs .co.
3. Keywords and commercial value
Domains built on words that businesses pay to advertise for, like insurance, dentist, roofing or software, are worth more because the traffic they attract is valuable. A name that exactly describes a profitable service, such as DataRecoveryLaboratory.com, carries commercial weight.
4. Brandability
Some names simply sound good. They're easy to say, look clean in writing and feel like a real brand. Invented names like Lourem.com or Eveloom.com are priced on this quality rather than on keywords. Read more in our guide to brandable domains.
5. Pronunciation and spelling
A domain that passes the "radio test" (you can hear it once and type it correctly) is worth more than one that needs to be spelled out. Odd spellings, hyphens and numbers usually lower the price.
6. Market size and location
Local names like a service plus a city are priced by the size of the market. A domain for a big city or a high-value trade is worth more than one for a small town. These names are often very affordable compared with the business they can bring in. Our article on local business domains explains why.
7. Comparable sales
Like real estate, domains are often valued by looking at what similar names have sold for. Public sales data helps sellers and buyers agree on a reasonable range.
8. Age and history
An older domain with a clean history can be a little more attractive, but age alone doesn't make a name valuable. A spammy history can actually reduce value, so it's worth checking a domain's past in a web archive.
Putting it into practice
When you look at a price, ask:
- Is it short and easy to say?
- Is it a .com or a strong local extension?
- Does it contain a valuable keyword or a great brand sound?
- How big is the market it serves?
If the answer to most of these is yes, a higher price is often justified.
Our pricing
Every domain in our portfolio has a clear Buy Now price, so you never have to guess. You can sort all domains by price from low to high. If you'd like to discuss a price or bundle several names, send us an offer.
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