The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Domain Backorder Service
Did you identify the perfect domain name for your business only to discover that it’s been taken?
All hope is not lost. You've got options! There’s still a chance that you can acquire the domain name, and you might not even have to pay an arm and a leg for it.
By using a domain name backorder service, you can increase your chances of getting your dream domain.
In this article, we’ll explain what domain backorder services are, discuss the top players in the industry, and give you valuable tips on how to place a successful domain backorder.
What is a Domain Backorder Service?
You can think of it like reserving a domain name, almost like a table at a restaurant.
You express interest in the domain, and when/if it becomes available, you can own it.
Though the process sounds simple, there are still several obstacles you’ll have to get through before you can own the domain.
Depending on the domain name’s value, you could be in for some stiff competition, and you might even end up in a bidding war if the website goes to auction.
How to Backorder a Domain
Once you identify the domain name or domain names you’re interested in, you can place a backorder with anyone offering the service.
When the domain name expires, you’ll be in the running to become the new owner.
Keep in mind that just because domain owners don't renew the domain name by the expiration date, it doesn’t make it fair game for anyone to pick up.
There's a domain lifecycle that domains go through. First, the expired domain enters into a grace period where the original owner still has an opportunity to renew.
The length of the grace period varies depending on the registrar, but it’s typically around 30 days, give or take.
If the owner doesn’t renew their registration during the grace period, then the domain is scheduled to be dropped five days later.
A dropped domain is free game, and the public can register it at that point.
By backordering a domain, you reserve the right to order the asset when it becomes available.
Should You Use a Domain Backorder Service?
It’s highly recommended to use backorder services during this process.
A domain backordering service provider will monitor the domain on your behalf and take the necessary steps to secure it for you and pay the registration fee without you having to think about it.
Plus, when it comes time to purchase the expired domain, you still have to go through a registrar, so you’ll need this connection anyway.
Trying to complete a domain name registration without using backordering services is a recipe for disaster.
Depending on how much demand there is for the domain name you want, your backorder could result in you being able to register the domain name outright when it expires, or you might have to enter into the auction process.
If you’re the only person who’s backordered the domain through the service provider that gets to claim ownership, the domain is yours.
However, if there is more than one interested party who wants to acquire the domain at the drop, there will be a bidding process.
The 5 Top-Recommended Domain Backorder Companies
Before trusting someone to secure your dream domain name for you, make sure you’re working with someone reputable.
We’ve vetted five of the best backorder domain service providers in the industry. Find out the cheapest domain backorder services.
1. GoDaddy
As one of the largest domain registrars, GoDaddy is a logical place to go for securing a backorder.
Due to their high volume of customers and advanced infrastructure, they charge some of the lowest backorder fees and offer premium domain monitoring features.
Just pay an initial user fee of $24.98 for each of your domain registration requests. This amount includes:
- Registration and ICANN fees
- Daily domain monitoring membership
- Backorder transfers (use the fee toward another domain name if the backorder wasn’t successful)
In cases where multiple people are interested in an expired domain, the back orders will go to auction, and GoDaddy auctions are popular.
If there is an auction, then the website will go to the highest bidder.
2. DropCatch
This service focuses solely on backorders for expiring domains and auctions.
Their prices are in line with other dropcatching service providers (around $59), but they offer bulk discounts for users who make a regular practice of purchasing expired domain names.
The discount levels vary, but they can be up to 80%.
DropCatch is a great place to go to discover domains that are in the “pending delete” phase.
You can filter this list, which often has hundreds of thousands of domains, based on the TLD (top-level domain), whether the name has dashes or numbers, and even by the number of characters.
3. NameJet
If you’re interested in more than one domain, NameJet gives you the option to monitor as many domains as you’d like and get notified when one of them becomes available.
You can even set up alerts for related domains based on keywords and categories.
Check out NameJet to get access to a list of exclusive, pre-released properties that aren’t available anywhere else.
Though, technically, all backorder domain name services have the same chance of success in catching a dropped name, this website is known for having the highest drop catcher win rate.
4. SnapNames
SnapNames is one of the easiest and user-friendly domain backorder services. Just search for the domain you want, click the backorder button and check out.
The current price to place a domain name backorder is $79.
If the domain name expires and the owner doesn’t renew their registration, you’ll get an email that you’re the proud new owner.
One of our favorite features of SnapNames is the related domain names that show up in a search.
For example, a search for Pets.com will display a list of hundreds of alternatives, including their status, minimum bid. In some cases, you can order a similar domain outright!
Though $79 can seem expensive for something that’s not guaranteed, you won’t be billed unless you successfully acquire the domain.
Just make sure that you keep a valid credit card on file.
SnapNames recently acquired BackorderZone, which has consolidated the number of companies offering domain backorders.
5. CatchTiger
If .com registrations aren't a priority and you’re in the market for European domain names, CatchTiger is your best bet for placing backorders.
Like the other five services mentioned, you only pay if the “catch” is successful, meaning you pick up the domain name after it’s been dropped.
With CatchTiger, you set alerts for the domain names you’re interested in. You can create as many alerts as you’d like for no cost.
Bidding starts at € 35, which is just under $50. Included in your bid is an added bonus of one year of registration with this dropcatching service.
Tips to Make Your Backorder Successful
Choosing the right service provider is important, but it’s just one part of the strategy. Two things can prevent you from getting your dream domain:
1. If the registration gets renewed, you won’t be able to move forward with your backorder.
2. If the backorder service company isn’t successful, someone else will end up with the domain.
Depending on how valuable and desirable the domain name is, there’s a high probability that the domain name will go to auction, and you’ll be competing with other bidders to become the new owner.
To increase your chances of success, we recommend backordering through multiple companies.
The services on our list will refund your fees or put the money toward another domain if the backorder isn’t successful, so you have nothing to lose.
Another tip to winning the domain drop registration game is to find out who the domain registrar is, so you know where to go when it’s time to bid.
A WHOIS lookup will reveal this info.
An alternative to using a service provider for backorders is to use domain backorder software.
This backorder software uses drop catching bot technology to try to register your domain. Once you set the software in motion, you can sit back, relax, and wait for the domain name to drop.
This system gives you another potential avenue for success, though this method frowned upon.
Always Research a Domains Historic Data
One final caveat – before going through the process of domain backorders, it’s a good idea to do some due diligence and confirm that the domain name you’ve been eyeing is high-quality.
Similar to buying physical real estate, you want to ensure that a digital property is valuable and in good standing.
Spamzilla provides valuable insights about a domain’s statistics and history to ensure that what you’re backordering is worth the wait.
