How buying a domain works
Understand the steps from a domain inquiry to an agreed sale and registrar transfer, including the checks to make before payment.
Start with the exact domain
Open the domain's listing and check every character, including the extension. Send an inquiry with your contact details and any questions about the price or timing. An inquiry is a request to discuss a sale. It does not reserve the domain, collect payment, or transfer ownership. Wait for the seller to confirm availability and the terms before making plans around it.
Agree what the purchase includes
Confirm the exact domain, the final price and currency, any taxes or fees, the payment method, and the transfer process in writing. A domain purchase does not automatically include a website, source code, email accounts, a company, a logo, or trademark rights. If any additional assets are included, identify them explicitly in the agreement.
Choose a transaction process before paying
Ask how payment and transfer will be coordinated. If an escrow provider is agreed, confirm the provider directly, who pays its fees, the inspection steps, and the conditions for releasing funds. Do not assume a listing is already connected to escrow or that every payment method offers the same protections. Follow only the payment instructions established for your specific transaction.
Confirm the registrar and transfer route
The seller and receiving registrar should confirm whether the domain will move between accounts at the same registrar or transfer to another registrar. Some transfers require an authorisation code and an unlocked domain. Transfer restrictions can apply after registration, a previous transfer, or a registrant change. Country-code extensions can have their own rules, so check the actual extension and registrar rather than assuming one procedure fits every name.
Complete the handover and protect the account
Confirm that the domain appears in an account you control and that the registrant details are correct. Review expiry and renewal settings, enable strong account security, and keep your transaction records. Plan website and email DNS settings separately. Changing the registrant or registrar does not, by itself, create a website or migrate email.
Compare the options
| Stage | Buyer action | What this does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Inquiry | Ask about the exact domain and terms | A reservation, payment, or ownership transfer |
| Agreement | Confirm scope, price, fees, and process in writing | That the transfer has already taken place |
| Payment and transfer | Follow the agreed provider and registrar process | That a website or email account is included |
| Handover | Check account control, registrant details, and renewal settings | That the website, DNS, or email is configured |
Sources and further reading
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