Domain Trade Most Expensive Domain Names

Most expensive domain names ever sold

Cars.com holds the record for the costliest domain name, appraised at approximately $872 million according to Gannett Co., Inc.'s SEC filing. Other significant sales include AI.com, procured by OpenAI for $11 million in 2023, and CarInsurance.com, bought by Quinnstreet for $49.7 million in 2019. Business.com was sold for $7.5 million in 1999, ranking high in historical domain name transactions. While some sales might not be made public, consensus on the top rankings is generally consistent, with Cars.com remaining the most expensive.

What factors contributed to the significant valuation of cars.com, surpassing other high-profile domain sales?

Extension: The .com extension is the most valuable and sought-after top-level domain (TLD), making Cars.com a highly desirable asset.
Length and Brandability: The domain name is short, single-word, and easily memorable, making it an attractive brandable asset.
Industry Relevance: Cars.com is a leading online platform for car buying and selling, providing a strong foundation for its valuation.
Comparable Sales: The domain’s value is likely influenced by sales of similar short, single-word, .com names, such as Place.com (estimated value: $564,000).
Brand Equity: Cars.com has established itself as a reputable and trusted brand in the automotive industry, increasing its value.
Market Demand: The online automotive market is highly competitive, driving demand for premium domain names like Cars.com.
Lack of Direct Competition: The uniqueness of Cars.com, with no direct competitors, contributes to its high valuation.

These factors combined to make Cars.com a highly valuable asset, surpassing other high-profile domain sales.

The top position holds the record.

The cost of a domain is assumed to be around $13. However, domain names often sell for significantly more than that in the secondary market. The typical price for a domain sold in this market is in the thousands of dollars. It's not uncommon to see weekly domain sales in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and even million-dollar sales reported. For the latest sales and trends, visit dnjournal.com.

High-value domain sales are often kept private, but many are still made public, providing insight into the domain market's value over time. The most expensive publicly disclosed domain sale is Cars.com, valued at $872 million in 2022.

Domain Names for Acquisition

Possible Opportunity: This Outstanding Domain May be Open to Lease, Partnerships, Licensing, or Acquisition.

Top Most Expensive Domain Name Sales:

Here's a list of the top most expensive domains ever sold.

Cars.com: Sold for $872 million in 2022
Business.com: Sold for $350 million in (w/content-2007)
CarInsurance.com: Sold for $49.7 million in 2010
Insurance.com: Sold for $35.6 million in 2010
VacationRentals.com: Sold for $35 million in 2007
PrivateJet.com: Sold for $30.18 million in 2012
Voice.com: Sold for $30 million in 2019
Internet.com: Sold for $18 million in 2009
Crypto.com: Sold for (estimated value: $18 million in 2018
360.com: Sold for $17 million in 2015
Insure.com: Sold for $16 million in 2009
Chat.com: Sold for $15 million
NFTs.com: Sold for $15 million
Sex.com: Sold for $14 million in 2005
Sex.com: Sold for $13 million in 2010
Hotels.com: Sold for $11 million in 2001
AI.com: Sold for $11 million in 2023
Tesla.com: Sold for $11 million
Connect.com: Sold for $10 million
Fund.com: Sold for $9.999,950 in 2008
Porn.com: Sold for $9.5 million in 2007
Porno.com: Sold for $8,888,888 million
Gold.com: Sold for $8,551,000 million in 2024
FB.com: Sold for $8.5 million in 2010
RealEstate.com: Sold for $8.25 million
HealthInsurance.com: Sold for $8,133,000 million
We.com: Sold for $8,000,000 million
Business.com: Sold for $7.5 million in 1999
Diamond.com: Sold for $7.5 million in 2006
Beer.com: Sold for $7 million in 2004
Z.com: Sold for $6,784,000 million
Israel.com: Sold for $5.88 million
Casino.com: Sold for $5.5 million in 2003
Slots.com: Sold for $5.5 million in 2010
Toys.com: Sold for $5.1 million in 2009
AsSeenOnTV.com: Sold for $5.1 million in 2000
SEO.com: Sold for $5 million in 2007
Korea.com: Sold for $5 million in 2004
YellowPages.com: Sold for $5 million
Pooxi.com: Sold for $5 million in 2012
Clothes.com: Sold for $4.9 million in 2008
IG.com: Sold for $4.7 million
iCloud.com: Sold for $6 million in 2011
AV.com: Sold for £3,013,000 million in 2021
Freeporn.com: Sold for $4 million in 2008
GiftCard.com: Sold for $4 million in 2012
IT.com: Sold for $3,800,000 million
YP.com: Sold for $3.85 million in 2008
MI.com: Sold for $3.6 million in 2014
Shop.com: Sold for $3.5 million in 2003
Altavista.com: Sold for $3.3 million in 1998
Wine.com: Sold for $3.3 million in 2003
Software.com: Sold for $3.2 million in 2005
Whisky.com: Sold for $3.1 million in 2014
Candy.com: Sold for $3 million in 2009
Vodka.com: Sold for $3 million in 2006
Loans.com: Sold for $3 million in 2000
Wines.com: Sold for $2,9 million in 2004
Shopping.de: Sold for $2.858,945 in 2008
CreditCards.com: Sold for $2.75 million in 2004
Social.com: Sold for $2.6 million in 2011
Pizza.com: Sold for $2.605 million in 2008
Tom.com: Sold for $2.5 million in 1999
Gambling.com: Sold for $2.5 million
Investing.com: Sold for $2.45 million in 2012
Autos.com: Sold for $2.2 million in 1999
Coupons.com: Sold for $2.2 million in 2000
Computer.com: Sold for $2.1 million in 2007
England.com: Sold for $2 million in 1999
Makeup.com: Sold for $2 million
Telephone.com: Sold for $2 million in 2000
37.com: Sold for $1.960,800 in 2014
Savings.com: Sold for $1.9 million
Seniors.com: Sold for $1.8 million in 2007
Express.com: Sold for $1.8 million in 2000
Mortgage.com: Sold for $1.8 million in 2000
Fly.com: Sold for $1.76 million in 2009
Dating.com: Sold for $1.75 million in 2010
Auction.com: Sold for $1.7 million in 2009
DataRecovery.com: Sold for $1.659 million in 2008
Branson.com: Sold for $1.6 million in 2006
Ticket.com: Sold for $1.525 million in 2009
Russia.com: Sold for $1.5 million in 2009
Vip.com: Sold for $1.4 million in 2003
Men.com: Sold for $1.32 million in 2000
Photo.com: Sold for $1.25 million
Vista.com: Sold for $1.25 million in 2007
Feedback.com: Sold for $1.23 million in 2003
Find.com: Sold for $1.2 million in 2004
MM.com: Sold for $1.2 million in 2014
Phone.com: Sold for $1.2 million in 2003
TP.com: Sold for $1.2 million in 2024
Scores.com: Sold for $1.18 million
Kredit.de: Sold for $1.169 million in 2008
Flying.com: Sold for $1.1 million in 2010
Mercury.com: Sold for $1.1 million in 2000
Call.com: Sold for $1.1 million in 2009
Bingo.com: Sold for $1.1 million in 1999
Zip.com: Sold for $1.058,830 in 2010
Cruise.co.uk: Sold for $1.1 million in 2008
Wallstreet.com: Sold for $1.03 million in 2005
Webcam.com: Sold for $1.02 million in 2009
Fish.com: Sold for $1.02 million in 2000
Invest.com: Sold for $1.015 million in 2003
Poker.org: Sold for $1 million in 2010
DuDu.com: Sold for $1 million
PersonalLoans.com: Sold for $1 million in 2012
Rock.com: Sold for $1 million in 2000
Sky.com: Sold for $1 million in 2003
Box.com: Sold for $1 million in 2011
Bills.com: Sold for $964,500

Why are some domain names expensive?

Some domain names are expensive due to a combination of factors, including:

Demand: Highly sought-after domain names with desirable characteristics such as short length, simplicity, and relevance to a brand or industry are in high demand, driving up prices.
Wholesale prices: Registries set base (wholesale) prices for domain names, which are then marked up by registrars. Some registries charge higher wholesale prices for certain domain extensions, contributing to higher costs for consumers.
Registry and registrar fees: Registries and registrars incur costs for maintaining and operating the domain name system, including cybersecurity measures, infrastructure, and staff. These costs are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
Promotions and discounts: Registries may offer discounted rates to registrars for bulk purchases or other incentives, which can affect the prices consumers pay.
Secondary market: A secondary market of resellers buying and selling domain names for profit can drive up prices for certain domains.
Brand recognition and value: Domain names associated with well-known brands or industries can command higher prices due to their perceived value and potential for future growth.

Examples

Premium domain names: Short, memorable, and easy-to-spell domain names, such as single-word or descriptive names, are highly valuable and can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Popular domain extensions: Domain extensions like .com, .net, and .org, which are in high demand, may have higher prices due to their popularity and widespread use.
Newly released domain extensions: New top-level domains (TLDs) or country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) may have higher prices due to their novelty and limited availability.

In conclusion

The cost of a domain name is influenced by a combination of factors, including demand, wholesale prices, registry and registrar fees, promotions, and the secondary market. Some domain names are naturally more valuable than others, and their prices reflect this value.