Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a collaborative marketplace built on a foundation of community and mutual support, designed to connect indie makers and founders with buyers seeking high-quality, affordable domain names. It operates as a curated bridge, solving a common pain point within the creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. For founders who have pivoted or shelved projects, it provides a dignified avenue to recoup costs by selling their unused domains at fair, transparent prices. For buyers, it offers a trusted source to discover premium domains without the inflated costs and corporate clutter typical of large marketplaces. The platform's core value proposition is synergy: it fosters a win-win environment where valuable digital assets circulate within the community, empowering new projects with great names while supporting fellow creators. Every domain is handpicked and priced at $1000 or less, ensuring accessibility and a straightforward "Buy It Now" experience that eliminates stressful negotiations. By leveraging established, secure transfer platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun, Shelved Domains ensures safe, reliable transactions for all parties, making domain acquisition a seamless part of the collaborative journey.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, Community-Sourced Inventory

Every domain listed on Shelved Domains is handpicked from fellow indie makers and founders, ensuring a collection of high-quality, brandable names. This curation process filters out low-value speculation, focusing instead on domains with real potential for SaaS, AI, developer tools, e-commerce, and over 20 other categories. The result is a synergistic marketplace where quality is guaranteed by the community itself.

Transparent, Fixed Pricing Under $1000

The platform champions fairness and simplicity with a strict pricing model where all domains are listed at $1000 or less. This "Buy It Now" approach removes the uncertainty and hassle of price negotiations, fostering a cooperative environment where buyers can make quick, confident decisions and sellers can achieve a swift, fair return on their unused assets.

Secure, Platform-Agnostic Transactions

Shelved Domains prioritizes safety and convenience by integrating with trusted industry leaders like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun for all purchases and transfers. This means domains remain hosted with the seller's preferred registrar until sale, and buyers benefit from the robust security and escrow services these established platforms provide, creating a trustworthy handoff.

Commission-Free Marketplace for Sellers

In a true spirit of supporting the indie community, Shelved Domains charges no additional listing fees or commissions to sellers. Creators can list their unused domains to reach a targeted audience without any extra cost, beyond the standard fees charged by the transfer platform (Sedo/Afternic/Porkbun), maximizing their return and simplifying the selling process.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

The Founder Pivoting to a New Venture

A founder who has shelved an initial project can list the domain on Shelved Domains to recoup some of the initial investment. This provides capital for their new venture while ensuring their quality domain finds a new home with another builder, turning a sunk cost into a supportive resource for the wider community.

The Bootstrapped Startup Seeking a Brandable Name

A new indie hacker or small startup team needs a strong, memorable domain to launch their product but has a limited budget. They browse Shelved Domains' curated categories to find a premium, brandable domain under $1000, allowing them to establish a professional online presence quickly and affordably.

The Creator Looking to Monetize Unused Assets

An indie maker who has registered several domain names for ideas that never materialized can list them all on Shelved Domains. This transforms dormant digital assets into a potential revenue stream, clearing their portfolio and contributing valuable names back into the ecosystem for others to use.

The Agency or Developer Sourcing Domains for Clients

A web developer or branding agency working with clients on tight budgets can use Shelved Domains as a trusted resource to find high-quality, affordable domain names. This allows them to deliver greater value to their clients by securing excellent domains without the premium price tag often found elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the buying process work?

When you find a domain you wish to purchase on Shelved Domains, you will be redirected to the secure listing on an established platform like Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. The complete "Buy It Now" transaction and domain transfer are handled entirely through that platform's secure escrow and transfer system, ensuring a safe and reliable purchase.

Are there any hidden fees for buyers or sellers?

No, there are no hidden fees. The price you see on Shelved Domains is the fixed purchase price. For sellers, Shelved Domains charges zero commission or listing fees. Sellers only pay the standard transaction fee charged by the transfer platform (Sedo/Afternic/Porkbun) upon a successful sale.

Can I list a domain that is not on Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun?

Currently, Shelved Domains is integrated to work seamlessly with domains listed on Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. To maintain a secure and streamlined experience for buyers, domains need to be listed for sale on one of these supported platforms to be eligible for listing on Shelved Domains.

How often is the marketplace updated with new domains?

The marketplace is updated regularly as new domains are submitted and approved from the community of indie makers and founders. To stay informed about new listings, you can subscribe for updates on the Shelved Domains website to receive notifications when fresh, handpicked domains become available.