Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a curated marketplace designed to evolve the way indie makers and founders buy and sell premium domain names. It addresses a persistent pain point in the creator economy: the disconnect between high-quality, unused domains held by individuals and the inflated, corporate-dominated traditional marketplaces. The platform operates on a principle of continuous refinement, constantly handpicking and curating a selection of domains to ensure they meet a high standard of quality and relevance. This iterative curation process connects buyers directly with the source—fellow builders—offering a more authentic and value-driven experience. For buyers, it provides straightforward access to premium domains across 20+ categories like SaaS, AI, and Developer Tools, all with transparent "Buy It Now" pricing at $1000 or less. For sellers, it offers a streamlined, commission-free avenue to recoup costs on shelved projects, all while maintaining control of their assets on trusted registrars. The core value proposition is a virtuous cycle: founders support founders by providing fair-priced digital assets, fostering a community-driven ecosystem that improves with every transaction.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, Founder-to-Founder Marketplace

Shelved Domains is built on a foundation of continuous curation, not automated aggregation. Every domain listed is handpicked from the collections of indie makers and founders, ensuring a selection free from corporate resellers and speculative land grabs. This ongoing refinement process guarantees that buyers are browsing a collection of high-quality, relevant names with real project potential, directly supporting the indie community with each purchase.

Transparent "Buy It Now" Pricing (Under $1000)

The platform eliminates the uncertainty and hassle of price negotiations. Every domain is clearly listed with a fixed "Buy It Now" price, all capped at $1000 or less. This commitment to transparent, founder-friendly pricing is a core tenet that is constantly reinforced, providing buyers with clear budgeting and sellers with a fair, predictable path to recouping their investment without the friction of haggling.

Secure, Platform-Agnostic Transfer Process

Shelved Domains facilitates safe and secure transactions by integrating with established domain transfer platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. The marketplace itself does not handle funds or domain custody. Instead, it connects buyers and sellers, who then complete the purchase and transfer through these trusted, industry-standard services. This model is continuously optimized for security and reliability, ensuring peace of mind for both parties.

Zero-Commission Listings for Sellers

For founders looking to sell unused domains, Shelved Domains offers a completely commission-free listing service. Sellers simply list their domain while keeping it hosted and managed on their preferred registrar (Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun). There are no hidden fees or additional listing charges from Shelved Domains, embodying its ethos of iterative improvement by constantly removing barriers for the seller community.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

The Bootstrapping Founder Seeking a Brandable Domain

An indie founder is launching a new SaaS tool and needs a memorable, brandable domain that doesn't break the bank. They browse Shelved Domains' curated categories, find a perfect, premium name under $1000, and complete a secure "Buy It Now" purchase through Sedo. This allows them to allocate more resources to product development, continuously improving their launch strategy with a strong foundational asset.

The Maker Recouping Costs on a Shelved Project

A developer who previously built a side project has moved on, leaving a high-quality domain unused. Instead of letting it expire or dealing with the complexity of a traditional marketplace, they list it on Shelved Domains. They maintain control on their registrar, reach an audience of fellow makers who appreciate the domain's value, and successfully sell it, recouping costs to fund their next iterative project build.

The Agency or Developer Sourcing Client Domains

A web development agency needs to source a relevant, professional domain name for a client's new e-commerce site. They use Shelved Domains to quickly find a handpicked, premium option within the client's budget. The transparent pricing and secure transfer process streamline the procurement, allowing the agency to continuously improve client service with efficient, trustworthy asset acquisition.

The Investor or Builder Acquiring Digital Assets

An individual interested in acquiring short, brandable names for future projects or investment browses the curated list. They leverage the platform's focus on indie-priced, quality domains to build a portfolio of assets with high potential, supporting the maker ecosystem while strategically acquiring names that can be developed or resold as part of an ongoing asset refinement strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the buying process work?

When you find a domain you wish to purchase on Shelved Domains, you will be directed to complete the transaction on an established platform like Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. Shelved Domains acts as a curated directory. You will "Buy It Now" on the partner platform, which will securely handle the payment and domain transfer process, ensuring a safe and standardized experience that is continuously vetted for reliability.

Are there any fees or commissions for sellers?

No, Shelved Domains does not charge any additional listing fees or commissions to sellers. The platform is commission-free. Sellers only incur the standard transaction fees charged by the transfer platform they use (e.g., Sedo, Afternic, Porkbun). This model is iteratively designed to maximize value for the seller community by removing unnecessary cost layers.

Who curates the domains listed on the site?

The domains are handpicked and curated by the Shelved Domains team. They are sourced specifically from indie makers and founders, not corporate domain resellers. This curation is an ongoing process focused on maintaining a high standard of quality, relevance, and fair pricing, ensuring the marketplace continuously improves and serves its community-focused mission.

Can I list my own unused domain for sale?

Yes, absolutely. Shelved Domains actively encourages founders and makers to list their quality, unused domains. The process is designed for iterative ease: you keep your domain listed on your preferred registrar (Sedo/Afternic/Porkbun) and simply submit it through the "Sell Your Unused Domains" link on the website for curation and potential listing on the marketplace.