The Most Expensive Domain Names Ever Sold – And How You Can Profit from Buying and Selling Domains
Owning a premium domain name comes with major advantages, whether you plan to keep it for your business or sell it for a huge profit. But how much would you be willing to pay for the perfect domain? Some companies are willing to spend millions to secure the right web address.
While most of us can’t afford these sky-high prices, it’s always fascinating to see what the wealthiest buyers are spending on domain names. These transactions also highlight the types of domains that hold the most value.
Join us as we uncover the most expensive domain names ever sold and share expert tips on buying and selling domains for profit.
—
The Most Expensive Domain Name Ever Sold
Determining the priciest domain name depends on how you define the sale. Some rankings only consider all-cash transactions, while others exclude sales that included intellectual property or business acquisitions.
Many high-value domain sales involve the purchase of both the domain and an existing business, making it difficult to determine the exact value of the domain itself. However, if we focus solely on domain name sales, the most expensive standalone domain ever sold is Business.com, which was purchased for a staggering $350 million in 2007.
If we include sales that involved an established business, Jet.com takes the top spot, having been acquired by Walmart for PLACEHOLDER9d56cc4a77aa02f2 in 2016. Another notable sale is Cars.com, which was valued at PLACEHOLDER11ec8daef864a894%20for%20%241.83%20billion.) when media company Gannett acquired the remaining 73% stake in 2014.
—
Who Bought the Most Expensive Domain Name?
The record-breaking Business.com sale was made by RH Donnelley, a Yellow Pages publisher and online search company. The firm outbid major media giants like Dow Jones and The New York Times, paying 47 times the domain’s previous purchase price of $7.5 million in 1999.
—
The Top 10 Most Expensive Domain Names Ever Sold
Here are the top ten highest-priced domain sales ever recorded:
1. Business.com – $345 million
2. LasVegas.com – $90 million
3. CarInsurance.com – $49.7 million
4. Insurance.com – $35.6 million
5. VacationRentals.com – $35 million
6. PrivateJet.com – $30.18 million
7. Voice.com – $30 million
8. Internet.com – $18 million
9. 360.com – $17 million
10. Insure.com – $16 million
It’s worth noting that not all domain sales are publicly disclosed, so even more expensive transactions may exist.
—
The Most Expensive Domain Names Sold in 2024
While they don’t break historical records, here are the highest-priced domain sales of 2024:
1. Rocket.com – $14 million (Acquired by Rocket Companies in September 2024)
2. Gold.com – $8.515 million (Purchased by JM Bullion in March 2024)
3. Shift.com – $1.365 million (Sold in March 2024 for the Shift browser)
4. TP.com – $1.2 million (Acquired in February 2024)
5. BestOdds.com – $1.025 million (Sold privately in December 2024)
—
Why Are Some Domain Names So Expensive?
A strong domain name is a valuable asset for businesses, and when the perfect name is already taken, companies with deep pockets are willing to pay a premium.
Several factors influence a domain’s value:
– Scarcity and Demand: Short, memorable, and keyword-rich domains are in high demand.
– .com Dominance: .com domains are the most valuable, while alternatives like .net
