How to Sell Domain Names on WooCommerce: Your Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve got a domain name (or a few!) you want to sell. Maybe it’s a project that never took off, a brilliant idea you’ve moved on from, or you just want to capitalize on a valuable piece of digital real estate. While dedicated domain marketplaces like Sedo or GoDaddy Auctions are options, selling through your own WooCommerce store offers greater control and potentially higher profits.
This guide will walk you through the process, step-by-step, assuming you’re a newbie to WooCommerce but tech-savvy enough to understand the basics. Let’s get started!
Why Sell Domain Names on WooCommerce?
Before we dive in, let’s quickly cover why you might choose WooCommerce over other platforms:
- Higher Profit Potential: You control the pricing and avoid marketplace fees.
- Brand Control: Selling on your own site reinforces your brand and allows for a more personalized sales experience.
- Customization: WooCommerce offers immense customization options. You can design a store that specifically caters to domain name sales, with advanced search filters, detailed descriptions, and even a blog to explain the value of each domain.
- Direct Communication: You can directly communicate with potential buyers, answering questions and negotiating prices.
- Domain Name: Ironically, for this purpose, you might register a domain name like “domainnames4sale.com” or something relevant to your niche.
- Web Hosting: A service that hosts your website’s files. Popular choices include Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator, often with one-click WordPress and WooCommerce installation.
- WordPress: The content management system (CMS) that WooCommerce runs on. Most hosting providers offer easy WordPress installation.
- WooCommerce Plugin: The e-commerce plugin that turns your WordPress site into a store. It’s free and easily installed from the WordPress plugin directory.
- Disable Shipping: Since domain names are digital assets, you don’t need to charge shipping fees. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping and disable or remove all shipping zones and methods.
- Downloadable Products: This is crucial! When creating your domain name products, you’ll mark them as “Downloadable.” While there isn’t actually anything to download (besides perhaps a transfer authorization code), this setting allows WooCommerce to skip shipping calculations and immediately provide access after payment.
- Payment Gateways: Set up your preferred payment gateway. Popular choices include PayPal and Stripe, which allow you to accept credit cards and other payment methods. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments to configure your payment gateways.
- Consider an Escrow Service (Optional but Recommended): For higher-value domain names, using an escrow service like Escrow.com can provide an extra layer of security for both you and the buyer. You can integrate escrow services directly or provide instructions for using them in your product descriptions.
- Why it’s valuable: Is it short and memorable? Does it relate to a specific niche? Does it have high search volume?
- Potential uses: Suggest potential business ideas or branding applications.
- Comparable sales: If similar domains have sold for high prices, mention it (with links if possible).
- Traffic statistics (if any): If the domain gets organic traffic, showcase it!
- Age of the domain: Older domains can sometimes be more valuable.
- Example: “AmazingDomain.com is a premium, short, and memorable domain name ideal for a [industry] business. It’s easy to spell, brandable, and has strong potential for attracting organic traffic. Comparable domains in the [industry] niche have sold for upwards of $XXXX.”
- Using a plugin like “Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)”, add a custom text field to each domain name product for storing its transfer auth code.
- In the WooCommerce template, display this custom field once the order is complete.
Think of it like this: Selling on Sedo is like selling your car at a used car lot. Selling on WooCommerce is like putting a “For Sale” sign in your own driveway. You have more control over the presentation and the price.
Step 1: Setting Up Your WooCommerce Store (If You Don’t Have One Already)
If you already have a WooCommerce store, feel free to skip this step. Otherwise, you’ll need the following:
Follow the instructions provided by your hosting provider to install WordPress and then install and activate the WooCommerce plugin. WooCommerce will guide you through a basic setup process, asking about your store’s location, currency, and other essential settings.
Step 2: Configuring WooCommerce for Domain Sales
WooCommerce is designed for selling physical products by default. We need to tweak it a bit to handle domain names.
Step 3: Creating Domain Name Products
Now for the fun part – listing your domain names!
1. Go to Products > Add New.
2. Enter the Domain Name as the Product Title: For example, “AmazingDomain.com”.
3. Write a Compelling Description: This is where you sell the value of the domain. Consider including:
4. Set the Price: Research comparable domain sales to determine a fair price. Consider using a tiered pricing strategy (e.g., “Buy Now” price versus “Make Offer”).
5. Mark as “Downloadable” and “Virtual”: In the “Product Data” section, check both boxes. This ensures no shipping costs are calculated.
6. Inventory: If you’re selling multiple domains of the same name (unlikely, but possible with variations), manage the inventory here. Otherwise, leave “Manage Stock?” unchecked.
7. Product Image: Use a clean, professional image that showcases the domain name. You can simply display the domain name text or create a visually appealing graphic.
8. Product Category: Create a category for “Domain Names” or specific niches (e.g., “Technology Domains,” “Travel Domains”).
9. Product Tags: Add relevant tags such as “domain name,” “premium domain,” “[niche] domain.”
10. Add a custom field for transfer authorization code:
Here’s an example PHP code snippet demonstrating how to display a custom field (assuming you’ve used ACF and the field’s name is ‘transfer_auth_code’):
<?php // Assuming you're in a WooCommerce template (e.g., order-details.php)
$order_id = $order->get_id();
// Loop through order items to find the specific domain name product
foreach ( $order->get_items() as $item_id => $item ) {
$product_id = $item->get_product_id();
$transfer_code = get_field(‘transfer_auth_code’, $product_id); // ACF function
if ($transfer_code) {
echo ‘
Transfer Authorization Code: ‘ . esc_html($transfer_code) . ‘
‘;
// Optionally, only display it for completed orders:
// if ( $order->get_status() === ‘completed’ ) {
// echo ‘
Transfer Authorization Code: ‘ . esc_html($transfer_code) . ‘
‘;
// }
}
}
?>
11. Publish: Click “Publish” to make your domain name available for sale!
Step 4: Domain Transfer Instructions (Crucial!)
After a purchase, you need to guide the buyer on how to transfer the domain name to their registrar. This is *essential* for a smooth transaction.
- Include Clear Instructions on the “Thank You” Page and in the Order Confirmation Email: Tell the buyer exactly what they need to do to initiate the transfer. This typically involves:
- Unlocking the Domain: Explain how to unlock the domain name at your registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
- Providing the Transfer Authorization Code (Auth Code or EPP Code): This code is required to initiate the transfer. You should have stored this in custom field(see Step 3, point 10).
- Initiating the Transfer at Their Registrar: Advise the buyer to initiate the domain transfer process at their preferred registrar.
- Accepting the Transfer Request: Remind the buyer to monitor their email for the transfer approval request and accept it promptly.
- Automate (If Possible): Some registrar APIs allow you to automate the domain unlocking and authorization code retrieval process. This requires more advanced coding skills but can greatly improve the customer experience.
- Be Responsive: Be readily available to answer any questions from the buyer and provide support throughout the transfer process.
Example Email Snippet:
Subject: Your AmazingDomain.com Domain Transfer Instructions
Body:
Hi [Buyer Name],
Thank you for your purchase of AmazingDomain.com!
To complete the transfer, please follow these steps:
1. Unlock the Domain: Log in to your account at [Your Registrar Name, e.g., GoDaddy]. Go to your domain management page and unlock AmazingDomain.com.
2. Transfer Authorization Code: The Transfer Authorization Code for AmazingDomain.com is: [Transfer Authorization Code – Retrieve from Product Custom Field].
3. Initiate the Transfer: Log in to your account at your preferred registrar (e.g., Namecheap, Google Domains). Initiate a domain transfer to AmazingDomain.com. You will be prompted for the Transfer Authorization Code.
4. Approve the Transfer: Keep an eye on your email (associated with the domain name registration) for the transfer approval request. Approve the transfer as soon as possible.
The transfer process typically takes 5-7 days. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Step 5: Marketing Your Domain Name Store
Having a great store is only half the battle. You need to drive traffic to it!
- SEO Optimization: Optimize your product pages for relevant keywords (e.g., “buy domain name,” “[niche] domains for sale”).
- Social Media: Promote your domains on social media platforms.
- Content Marketing: Create blog posts about the value of domain names, industry trends, and tips for choosing the perfect domain.
- Domain Marketplaces: List your domains on domain marketplaces with a link back to your WooCommerce store. This increases visibility and drives potential buyers to your website.
- Networking: Reach out to potential buyers directly through LinkedIn or other professional networks.
- Paid Advertising: Consider running targeted ads on Google or social media to attract buyers interested in specific domain niches.
Key Takeaways and Tips
- Be Professional: Treat every buyer with respect and provide excellent customer service.
- Price Strategically: Research comparable sales and adjust your pricing based on market demand.
- Secure Your Transactions: Use reputable payment gateways and consider an escrow service for high-value domains.
- Legal Considerations: Be aware of any legal restrictions on domain name ownership or transfer in your jurisdiction.
- Documentation is Key: Keep detailed records of all domain name sales and transfers.
- Automate where Possible: Using plugins or custom coding you can significantly improve customer experience.
Selling domain names on WooCommerce requires some initial setup and effort, but it can be a rewarding way to control your sales process and potentially earn higher profits. Good luck!
