How to buy an expired domain

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There are three ways to get an expired domain: register it after it drops, backorder it so a service catches it for you, or buy it at auction before it drops. Which one you use depends on how many other people want the name.

1. Find names worth having

Start with the daily briefing or a list sorted Best first, such as top picks or dropping in the next 24 hours. Narrow it with More filters, or simply describe what you want. Star anything interesting so it lands on your watchlist.

2. Check each name properly

Open the domain checker for its live registry status and history, then work through our checklist: what the old site was, the backlinks, a site: search and a trademark search. Read the red flags before you commit money.

3. Pick your route

Route	When to use it	What it costs
Register after the drop	Quieter names that few people are watching. Check the just dropped list: many names are still free days later.	The normal registration fee.
Backorder	Names others will want. Place backorders with one or more drop-catching services before the drop.	Usually a fixed fee charged only if they catch it; if several people backorder, it goes to a private auction.
Expiry auction	Names expiring at registrars that auction them (GoDaddy, Dynadot, NameJet and others) before they ever reach the drop.	Whatever the winning bid is, plus the renewal.

4. After the drop

If you registered it yourself, the name is yours at once. If a backorder service caught it, they move it into an account for you, usually within a day. Either way, turn on auto-renew so it never expires on you, and add registrar lock.

5. Put it to work

Point it at your site or build a new one. If you are redirecting an old domain, map old pages to closely matching pages; do not redirect everything to your home page.

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Last updated 15 October 2026