How to Start a Domain Drop Catching Business

The domain drop catching service business can be highly profitable, as it involves acquiring valuable domain names and reselling them at a premium. These businesses monitor domain names that are about to expire or have already expired, with the intent of purchasing them as soon as they become available. This practice is often called "domain name sniping" or "domain name catching." Once acquired, these domains can be sold at a profit to interested buyers or businesses that may have forgotten to renew their domain names.

1. Understand the Business Model

Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s crucial to understand how the domain drop catching business works. The process involves:

• Looking for Companies with Inactive Websites: Identify businesses whose websites are inactive. These companies more likely will not renew their domain names because they have closed their operations, but the domain name or website is still active.

• Monitoring Domain Expirations: Keep an eye on domain names that are about to expire.

• Backordering Domains: Place backorders on these domains so that when they are released, you can acquire them.

• Acquiring Domains: Use tools to quickly purchase the domains once they become available.

• Selling Domains: Resell the acquired domains at a higher price to interested buyers.

2. Create Target Domain Lists

Start by creating a list of domain names to monitor:

• General Understanding: Outdated websites, or websites that have not been updated for a long time, may indicate that the company is not operating, but the domain name can still have value. Sometimes businesses forget that they have a website or domain name.

• Finding Outdated Websites: Search for websites that haven't been updated in a while using search engine operators.

  • Google Search Operators: Example of specialized command can refine your search results.

    • site:example.com intitle:last updated - Searches for pages on a specific website containing the phrase "last updated."

  • Tools: Use tools like searchscraper.io or Google Scraper in Hexomatic.com to find outdated websites.

3. Set Up Domain Monitoring

Once you have your target domain names list, set up domain monitoring:

• Register at Hexowatch: Sign up at Hexowatch.com and set up your Whois monitoring.

• Use the Following Guides:

  • How to Monitor Any Domain for Whois or DNS Changes

  • How to Monitor for Whois Domain and DNS Changes (Video)

4. Place Backorders and Acquire Domains

With your monitoring set up, the next step is to place backorders on desirable domains:

• Backorder Services: Use domain backorder services offered by various registrars such as GoDaddy, NameJet, or DropCatch. These services will attempt to register the domain for you as soon as it becomes available.

5. Evaluate and Sell Acquired Domains

Once you’ve acquired a domain, evaluate its value and prepare it for sale:

• Create Listings: List the domain on popular domain marketplaces such as Sedo, Flippa, or GoDaddy Auctions. Include detailed descriptions and keywords to attract potential buyers.

• Marketing: Promote your domains through social media, email marketing, and SEO to reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

Starting a domain drop catching service business can be a lucrative venture if done correctly. By utilizing Hexowatch's Domain Whois Monitoring tool, you can efficiently track and acquire valuable domains. Follow this guide to set up your business, monitor domains, place backorders, and ultimately sell the domains. With dedication and the right tools, you can build a successful domain drop catching business.