Refers to the secondary market where previously registered domain names are bought and sold. These domain names could be those that are no longer needed by the original registrant, domains that were purchased with the intention of reselling (often by domain investors), or domains that have expired and were purchased at auction.
The aftermarket is a vibrant part of the domain industry because it allows individuals and businesses to acquire domain names that are more premium, brandable, or keyword-rich than what might be available for first-time registration. Transactions in the aftermarket can range from very low cost to hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars for highly sought-after domain names.
Various platforms facilitate these transactions, such as Sedo, GoDaddy Auctions, Afternic, and Flippa, among others. These platforms provide a marketplace where buyers and sellers can negotiate prices, conduct secure transactions, and transfer ownership of domain names.