What is a Premium domain name?
Advantages, price, registration methods... find out all about Premium domain names!
Standard domain name VS. Premium domain name: what are the differences?
As an introduction to this article, let’s start by reminding what a domain name is. Defining a domain name will be an essential basis for understanding what a “Premium” domain name is.
What is a standard domain name?
A domain name is a website’s address – essentially a readable version of an IP address.
It often includes keywords or memorable character strings, making it easier for users to recall and return to your site.
But what does a domain name look like visually?
If you’re unsure, that’s completely normal – here’s a clear example. 😉
A domain name consists of a label and a TLD, though additional elements are needed to create a full, usable URL:
Can a website be accessed without a domain name? Quite simply, no.
Think of it like a postal address: without one, it’s impossible to find or send anything to a house or flat. The same goes for websites — no domain name, no visitors.
Technically, you can still reach a site via its IP address, just like using coordinates to find a location, but let’s face it — that’s hardly practical.
Premium domain name: definition
A Premium domain name looks identical to a standard one, with the same structure of a label and a TLD.
What makes it “Premium” is its higher registration cost. This is because Premium domains consist of highly searched terms, making them more valuable.
They are seen as valuable digital assets due to their strong potential to attract many visitors, which explains why they often sell for much more than standard domains.
So when does a domain name become “Premium”?
The registry managing a TLD decides if a domain name is Premium. This depends on criteria like length, branding and SEO potential, and overall relevance.
The UK Creative Ideas Limited registry, which manages the .art TLD, is responsible for choosing which domain names will be upgraded to Premium, remain Premium or be released at the “standard” level..
Why do Premium domain names exist?
Two different answers are possible here. One response from the registry side, and a second from the Premium domain name holder.
The Premium domain name from a registry point of view
The answer may disappoint you… but in the end it’s nothing more than a question of money! And yes, the fact that people are prepared to spend a lot more money for a Premium domain name is of course convenient for the registries… So they are able to generate much higher revenues with products that aren’t all that different!
The Premium Domain Name from a Holder’s Perspective
Imagine the Internet as a vast city filled with houses, each representing a website with its own postal address. Some addresses are more desirable than others, depending on their location—central or peripheral. Just like famous streets, premium domain names are the exceptional, sought-after addresses.
Premium domains are usually shorter, easier to remember, and often contain valuable keywords. These traits make them more attractive and valuable, as they tend to draw more visitors.
In essence, a domain’s value comes not simply from being premium, but from being descriptive—this is why many descriptive names are considered premium.
Let’s take the example of the domain name “life.sucks”. This is a Premium domain: it costs €1,000,000 excluding VAT to register the domain name, with renewal at €2,290 excluding VAT… Its strength lies in the millions of results found on Google (relating to series, films, books, etc.)!
What are the benefits of a Premium domain name?
A Premium domain name is pricier than a standard one, but for good reasons. Here are the key advantages:
- Prevent cybersquatting: Higher costs discourage bad actors from registering your brand under a Premium domain.
- Easier to remember: Premium domains are often shorter and more memorable.
- Stand out from the competition: A memorable Premium domain reduces confusion with competitors’ sites.
- Better visibility: Premium domains often include popular keywords, improving their search engine ranking.
Buy a Premium domain name
Methods of acquiring a Premium domain name
There are various ways of acquiring a Premium domain name:
- Registrars: The most common method, used for Premium or regular domains. Netim offers access to over 1,300 TLDs for registration.
Register my domain name with Netim!
- Directly from the registries: Rare, as you often still need a registrar to manage the domain, especially in registry-run auctions. Going direct with Netim is quicker and more efficient.
- Secondary market: Similar to real estate, some domain owners sell their domain names either because they no longer want them or bought them speculatively. Investors like agencies or individuals sell these on specialised platforms like Sedo, aiming for a profit.
How to check Premium domain name availability
Checking which Premium domain names are available is simple. Visit netim.com, search for your desired domain, and review the results. Registered domains will show “This domain is no longer available” and cannot be registered. Available domains marked “Premium” indicate they are Premium domains.
Premium domain names may also be displayed as no longer available for registration when the registry itself does not wish to market them. This may be the case when terms are perceived as offensive by a government, for example.
Price of a Premium domain name
The price of a Premium domain name varies greatly between TLDs, as registries set their own pries, often by category or “Tier.” Each tier is priced higher than a standard domain registration.
Prices can range from tens to thousands of euros.
Some domain names are permanently Premium, meaning their renewal price remains as high as their initial registration cost. Others are temporarily Premium, with higher prices only at registration, before reverting to standard renewal fees.
Can I buy a cheap Premium domain name?
A Premium domain name is 99.99% more expensive than a standard domain name. It can be Premium and cost from €20 to €10,000, depending on the term and TLD.
However, it is possible to negotiate a Premium domain name when it is at a very high price and/or when it concerns a real project. The registry, via the registrar, may be able to agree to a discount in exchange for the use of its extension (and not just ask for a discount in order to resell it!).
