The Most Expensive Domain Names

by ddos · Published · Updated

Domain names are as important to companies and organizations today as logos and brands. Therefore, high-profile domain names are often sold for enormous sums of money.

For various reasons, there are many companies today that do not own certain domain names, but who are interested in acquiring them. Increased demand for good domain names has resulted in the emergence of a secondary market for domain names, which has also made itself a market worth millions of dollars.

Below we have compiled a list of the most expensive domain names ever sold. We will also briefly enlighten what makes a good domain name and how you can find the perfect business name. If you need some inspiration and learn more about what makes a good domain name, you can always visit Domainify.com.

1. Business.com – $345 million

The most expensive domain name sale ever is Business.com. First, in 1999, it was purchased for $7.5 million, but it was not until 2007 that the price soared and was worth 47 times more. It was at this time that Business.com was sold to RH Donnelly for $345 million. However, the Yellow Pages publisher RH Donnelly declared bankruptcy just two years after investing in the domain.

2. Las Vegas – $90 million

In 2005, VEGAS.com purchased the domain LasVegas.com for $90 million. This makes the domain name sale one of the most expensive ones ever.

3. CarInsurance.com – $49.7 million

As third on the list is the expensive sale of the domain name CarInsurance.com. It was bought by a California-based vertical marketing and online media company called QuinStreet in November 2010. It was one of three domain purchases made by the company that year, and CarInsurance.com was bought for $49.7 million.

4. Insurance.com – $35.6 million

The same year, QuinStreet also bought the domain name Insurance.com. They bought the domain name in August for $35.6 million, which makes it the fourth spot on the list of the most expensive domain name sales ever made.

5. VacationRentals.com – $35 million

For a few dollars less than Insurance.com, the domain name VacationRentals.com was sold in 2009. The purchase was made by the CEO of HomeAway to prevent a different competitor from snatching it up first. Now, it is one of the most popular sites for vacation renting around the world.

What Makes a Good Domain Name?

Choosing a domain name can be one of the most important steps in establishing a brand or business. You want your potential customers to feel safe; they should not have to worry about malicious URLs. But you also want them to find your website quickly and easily and thus entice them to buy products or services.

Below are some guidelines for a good domain name:

Length: Keep it as short and concise as possible.
Simplicity: Avoid using complicated words.
Keyword: Include relevant words that help users find you.
Brand name: The domain name should reflect your brand.

Now that you know some important guidelines, the next step is to brainstorm, do some research and see what domains are available. A tip is to use Domainify.com to browse hand-picked premium business names curated by their branding experts and professional designers.