What are the best places to buy domain names right now?

This depends on your budget for buying domains and what you need the domain for, but in general I think the following are the Best Places to buy domains and to find the best deals. I will explain for each. Since I do not have a big budget, this post may reflect that.

Godaddy Auctions

Godaddy Auctions is the Best place to get a good domain at a Great price! With the general economy, many people simply do not have the $$’s to pay for renewal fees of their domains and do not think of trying to Sell before the domain expires! This is leading to More and Better expired domain names at Godaddy as well! If you are searching at Godaddy, stick with the Expiring Domains. Godaddy.com / Auction / Buy / Expiring Soon / scroll down to the Expiring tab. This will show Expired domains only. You can also use the free tool FreshDrop.net or the advanced search on Godaddy itself. The auctions end at all different times, and you have to wait 7 days after your winning bid to get the domain (you can still win the domain and lose it, if the old owner reclaims but this do not happen that often) but I think Godaddy Auctions is a Hot place for a domain buyer!

SnapNames.com

SnapNames.com was always the leader when it came to expired domain names when it had it’s partnership with NetworkSolutions.com . When that partnership changed, NameJet.com was born and it instantly became a Hit. Well, for buyers looking for good deals, NameJet was and still is Not the best place to find a great deal. Since many buyers moved from SnapNames to NameJet, this has resulted in less compition at SnapNames! One thing many people are not aware of, SnapNames still has many Great Domains and a lot sell for a Great Price as well! Just because Network Solutions isn’t providing Snap with expired domains any more, doesn’t mean Snap doesn’t have great expired domains! SnapNames also allows user submitted domains for an In Auction format as well as Buy It Now domains. That has lead to some great deals as well as many expired domain names with less competiton.

Sedo Auctions

I put Sedo Auctions and not just Sedo, because it’s hard dealing with a seller most of the time on Sedo most of the time IMO. I think everyone that I ever contacted via Sedo on a domain that is just listed wants $500,000 or more for a domain that I value at a couple hundred dollars or even a low $x,xxx domain. Don’t get me wrong, many sellers are realistic but many are not. Many Sedo auctions are the result of desperate sellers that ask people via domain forums, PushToAuction.com etc to send their domain to auction at a low price which is normally close to $60. A seller must get an offer or work directly with a broker at Sedo in order for the specific domain auction to begin if the seller chooses. This can lead to many great deals to be had at Sedo Auction.

Bido Auctions * This site has since closed

Bido.com is a smaller domain auction service with the majority of domain names starting auction at $28. This service is owned by very successful domainers and is trusted even though it is small. The auction system is very unique. Domain names are submitted by current domain owners and can be voted on by members. Auctions run daily (Mon-Fri) with a live chat as well.

Whois

This is and has been always the hardest way to buy a domain name, let alone at a really good price. The whois system holds all records for domain name owners, which includes email. With the current state of the economy, you may want to try direct contacting a domain owner of a specific domain name you are or even were interested in the past. A lot of people are getting desperate for cash, may have lost their job recently etc. You can also visit the domain name directly (type it into the address bar), which should help to guide you in contacting the owner and or if the domain name is for sale. I always use Whois.sc for whois information. Simply type in the domain name you are interested in and get the contact information for the domain owner. Then use the email address or phone number and contact the owner with your interest. It’s best to present your best offer first, so you get the attention of the owner. Many domain owners are contacted often to sell there domain, so keep this in mind.