The 10 most expensive domain names and why they matter
Your domain name is your brand’s first impression, your calling card, and often, your most valuable digital asset. Think of iconic domains like amazon.com, apple.com, and google.com. These names have become synonymous with trust, credibility, and billions of dollars of business.
But what exactly makes a domain valuable that they sell for millions—or even tens of millions—of dollars? Is it the perfect keywords, the ideal length, or the potential for high web traffic? The truth is, it’s a combination of many factors that make certain domain names worth so much.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most expensive domain names ever sold, looking at their value, the buyers, expiry date, and history to help you understand what exactly makes them invaluable.
Cost of a domain
In 2024, the average cost of a domain ranged between $10 to $20 per year. However, this is just the basic cost. Much like physical real estate, owning a domain involves ongoing expenses.
Several factors influence domain pricing, with the choice of a top-level-domain (TLD) being a major one. Here’s a breakdown of starting prices for popular TLDs:
- .com usually starts at $11.99 for the first year
- .store typically starts at $1.99 for the first year
- .org generally starts at $14.99 for the first year
Beyond TLDs, other factors that impact domain costs include keywords, length, age, market trends, and overall demand.
Some of the most expensive domain names will leverage these factors to create a domain that will top search engine results for related searches. To learn more about what determines a domain value, check out our post The Cost of a Domain.
The 10 most expensive domain names
Here are 10 of the most expensive domain name sales in recent years.
cars.com
Owner: Cars.com, LLC
Owner Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Sale Amount: $872 Million
Expiry: February 11, 2025
History:
Cars.com has been an iconic name in the automotive industry since its launch in 1996. In 2014, it was sold for a record-breaking $872 million. Why the hefty price tag? Simple: it’s a short, memorable, and keyword-rich domain that brings in massive traffic.
By 2017, cars.com became an independent, publicly traded company, which helped it grow and expand its reach and services. Some of its acquisitions include:
- DealerRater. A service shop and dealer rating platform
- Dealer Inspire. A marketing agency specializing in car dealerships
- CreditIQ. An automotive fintech platform
- Accu-Trade. A car appraisal tool
- D2C Media. A digital marketing agency
The acquisition of these services further increased the value of cars.com.
Why it’s valuable:
It’s all about the keywords. “Cars” is one of the most searched terms in the automotive world, and this domain practically owns that search. When you’re in a highly competitive industry like car sales, a domain like this can drive traffic, build brand trust, and generate significant revenue.
business.com
Owner: Business.com
Owner Location: Carlsbad, CA, USA
Sale Amount: $345 Million
Expiry: March 20, 2025
History:
Business.com is exactly what it sounds like—a top-tier domain that caters to businesses of all sizes.
The first recorded sale of business.com was in 1999, when eCompanies purchased the domain for $7.5 million, the most expensive domain purchase at the time. Less than a decade later, in 2007, the R.H. Donnelley Corporation bought business.com for a staggering $345 million.
In 2011, Resource Nation acquired the domain to tap into its B2B potential. By 2016, Purch Group took owenrship, and in 2018, business.com became an independent company fter Purch sold its consumer brands.
Why it’s valuable:
A domain like business.com carries huge SEO potential. For any company in the business sector, owning a domain that’s directly tied to their industry name is a huge boost. It’s both a branding and traffic-driving powerhouse.
lasvegas.com
Owner: Vegas.com, LLC
Owner Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Sale Amount: $90 Million
Expiry: October, 9, 2034
History:
A location-specific web address provides the perfect opportunity for growing tourism and business. In the case of lasvegas.com, its place as the third most expensive domain sale highlights how a premium geographic domain name is both valuable and has a high potential of increasing its value over time.
Originally registered in 1994, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) bought lasvegas.com for $90 million in 2005. Since then, it’s been the central hub for anyone planning a trip to Las Vegas.
Why it’s valuable:
The name itself is iconic, and with Las Vegas being one of the top travel destinations worldwide, lasvegas.com attracts millions of visitors each year. Owning a domain tied to such a well-known city brand instantly makes the domain valuable in the tourism and hospitality industry.
carinsurance.com
Owner: QuinStreet, Inc.
Owner Location: Foster City, CA, USA
Sale Amount: $49.7 Million
Expiry: August 30, 2025
History:
Insurance is a competitive industry, but carinsurance.com stands out as one of the most valuable domains in the field.
Established in 2003, QuinStreet acquired the domain for $49.7 million. This domain now serves as a major player in driving car insurance leads and connecting customers to providers.
Why it’s valuable:
The domain directly targets one of the most searched insurance-related keywords—“car insurance.” This high level of keyword relevance means massive traffic, and for QuinStreet, it’s an investment that keeps paying off.
insurance.com
Owner: QuinStreet, Inc.
Owner Location: Foster City, CA, USA
Sale Amount: $35.6 Million
Expiry: January 8, 2027
History:
In 2010, QuinStreet purchased insurance.com for $35.6 million. This acquisition included not only the domain but also the website content, technology, and operations.
For QuinStreet, purchasing insurance.com was a strategic move to enhance its position in the insurance marketplace. The domain’s authority and recognizable name made it a prime asset for attracting consumers seeking insurance comparisons and quotes.
Why it’s valuable:
Like carinsurance.com, the value here is in the keyword. People searching for “insurance” are looking to make decisions on one of life’s most important purchases, and having this domain means direct access to that audience.
vacationrentals.com
Owner: Vrbo, a subsidiary of Expedia
Owner Location: Austin, TX, USA
Sale Amount: $35 Million
Expiry: May 15, 2025
History:
In 2007, HomeAway, a vacation rental marketplace, acquired vacationrentals.com for approximately $35 million. Their goal wasn’t just to use the name—they wanted to stop competitors like Expedia from getting it.
Ironically, in 2015, Expedia Group bought HomeAway and everything that came with it, including vacationrentals.com, in a deal worth $3.9 billion. This acquisition made Expedia a key player in the growing vacation rental sector.
By 2019, Expedia decided to bring all its vacation rental businesses, including HomeAway and vacationrentals.com, under one name: Vrbo.
Why it’s valuable:
Vacationrentals.com is simple, descriptive, and perfect for anyone in the travel or accommodation business. It’s easy for people to remember, and it drives huge amounts of organic traffic.
privatejet.com
Owner: Don’t Look Media
Owner Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Sale Amount: $30.18 Million
Expiry: August 6, 2027
History:
In 2011, Don’t Look Media, LLC, a company specializing in premium domain acquisitions, purchased the domain for $30.18 million. Their goal was to capitalize on the lucrative private aviation market.
Since the purchase, Don’t Look Media has expanded the website into a one-stop platform for private jet charter services, luxury travel insights, and related resources.
By owning privatejet.com, the company built a powerful, simple brand that fits the exclusivity and convenience people expect in private aviation.
Why it’s valuable:
When you own a domain like privatejet.com, you’re tapping into a high-end, lucrative market. The domain is about what that keyword represents: luxury, prestige, and exclusivity.
voice.com
Owner: Block.one
Owner Location: George Town, Cayman Islands
Sale Amount: $30 Million
Expiry: August 30, 2025
History:
Voice.com became a key part of Block.one’s plan to launch a blockchain-based social media platform called “Voice.”
In 2019, the blockchain technology company acquired the domain from MicroStrategy for $30 million. The acquisition was a strategic move to establish a strong digital presence for Voice.
The domain name voice.com aligned perfectly with the platform’s goals and helped boost its visibility in search engines.
Why it’s valuable:
A short, memorable domain like voice.com has broad appeal and strong SEO potential. It’s perfect for any platform or business related to communication, social media, or even technology. Its simplicity and relevance are huge factors in its price.
internet.com
Owner: QuinStreet, Inc.
Owner Location: Foster City, CA, USA
Sale Amount: $18 Million
Expiry: May 8, 2031
History:
The domain internet.com holds a sales history that underscores its value in tech and digital media.
In 2009, QuinStreet, Inc. acquired internet.com as part of a larger deal worth $18 million. The transaction included several other assets from WebMediaBrands. With its memorable and authoritative name, internet.com quickly became a trusted resource for technological news, reviews, and business-related content.
Under QuinStreet’s ownership, the domain became a central platform for engaging audiences interested in the latest trends in the internet, software, and emerging technologies.
Why it’s valuable:
As you can imagine, internet.com is a perfect domain for anything related to the digital space. It’s short, memorable, and tied directly to one of the most significant industries in the world. This domain has helped QuinStreet gain authority and drive significant traffic to their platforms.
360.com
Owner: Qihoo 360
Owner Location: Beijing, China
Sale Amount: $17 Million
Expiry: March 7, 2026
History:
The sale of 360.com happened in 2015 when the Chinese internet security company Qihoo 360 acquired the domain from Vodafone for an impressive $17 million. For the company, getting the domain was pivotal to solidifying its global branding efforts. The domain aligned perfectly with the company’s name and its internet security and technology services suite.
By purchasing 360.com, Qihoo 360 was able to enhance its online presence and compete in international markets.
Why it’s valuable:
Short domains like 360.com are often highly sought after because they’re easy to remember, easy to spell, and they can be used in a variety of industries.
How to pick a domain name
As demonstrated by some of the most expensive domain sales, like lasvegas.com or 360.com, choosing a domain name that aligns with your brand identity can be a powerful marketing tool. A well-thought-out domain name can secure your spot in the digital landscape, boost discoverability, and help customers learn more about you and your services. Here are some tips to help you decide on the perfect domain name:
- Keep it short and simple. A short and memorable domain name will attract customers.
- Consider the long-term. Select a domain that aligns with your brand and its future growth.
- Avoid special characters and numbers. Using a domain with special characters will limit your SEO performance.
Price doesn’t equate to success: acquire the right domain for your brand
As Jeff Bezos wisely put it, your brand is essential to securing your company’s growth. And in the digital landscape, nothing boosts brand value quite like a strong domain name.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the right domain name can turn your website into the next Facebook in your field. Luckily, Domain.com has just the right tools to help secure your perfect domain name.
With our extensive selection of premium domain names, you can easily find a name that resonates with your audience, enhances your brand identity, and sets you apart from the competition. Combine it with our Domain Expiry Protection services, and who knows, you might have the next domain to make our list.
