Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a curated, mobile-first marketplace designed specifically for the indie maker and founder community. It connects buyers directly with high-quality, unused domains from fellow creators, cutting out corporate resellers and speculative pricing. The platform's core mission is to provide a fair, transparent, and streamlined experience for buying and selling premium web addresses. For buyers, it offers a handpicked selection of excellent domains across more than 20 categories like SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, and E-commerce, all with a strict price ceiling—initially under $500 and now under $1000. This "Buy It Now" model eliminates frustrating negotiations. For sellers, it's a commission-free avenue to monetize domains from shelved projects, allowing them to list while keeping domains securely hosted on their preferred established registrars. By focusing on safe transfers through trusted partners like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun, Shelved Domains solves a key pain point: finding affordable, genuine premium domains without the clutter and inflated costs of traditional marketplaces.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, Affordable Domain Marketplace

Shelved Domains is not an open marketplace flooded with low-quality listings. Every domain is handpicked, ensuring a selection of high-quality, brandable names relevant to startups and indie projects. Crucially, all domains are priced at $1000 or less, providing exceptional value and making premium web addresses accessible to bootstrapped founders and small teams without the typical corporate markup.

Straightforward "Buy It Now" Experience

The platform eliminates the uncertainty and hassle of domain negotiations. Every listed domain has a fixed, transparent price. Buyers can browse, find a perfect match, and complete the purchase immediately with a simple "Buy It Now" process. This streamlined approach saves valuable time and creates a predictable, stress-free purchasing journey directly from your mobile device or computer.

Secure, Partner-Backed Transfers

All purchases and sales are facilitated through established, reputable domain platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. This means the actual financial transaction and domain transfer process is handled by industry leaders with proven security and escrow services. Buyers get peace of mind, and sellers don't have to move their domains to a new registrar just to list them.

Commission-Free Listing for Sellers

Sellers can list their unused domains on Shelved Domains without paying any additional commission or listing fee to the marketplace itself. The only costs are those charged by the underlying transfer platform (e.g., Sedo). Sellers maintain full control, keep their domains registered where they are, and gain exposure to a targeted audience of serious buyers looking specifically for indie-maker domains.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

Launching a New SaaS or AI Startup

A founder has validated an idea for a new AI-powered productivity tool and needs a strong, memorable domain to build their brand. They browse the SaaS and AI categories on Shelved Domains, find a perfect, premium domain under $1000, and purchase it instantly to kickstart their website and marketing efforts without breaking their initial budget.

Monetizing a Shelved Side Project

An indie developer previously built a niche analytics tool but has since moved on to other projects. The domain for that old project is just sitting unused, incurring renewal fees. They can list it on Shelved Domains, reach an audience of buyers who appreciate its value, and recoup their costs while passing the domain to someone who will give it a new life.

Finding a Brandable Name for an E-commerce Store

An entrepreneur is starting a direct-to-consumer brand in the fitness space. They need a domain that is short, catchy, and conveys quality. Instead of sifting through generic marketplaces, they use Shelved Domains' E-commerce and Fitness categories to discover unique, founder-sourced names available for a fair, fixed price, securing their online storefront quickly.

Acquiring a Domain for a Community or Content Platform

A creator wants to build a dedicated community or content hub around a specific interest like music or design. They need a domain that resonates with that niche. Shelved Domains' curated categories like Community, Music, and Design & Creative offer relevant, high-potential domains from other makers, providing a perfect starting point for their new platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the buying process work?

When you find a domain you want to purchase on Shelved Domains, you will be redirected to a secure checkout on one of the platform's trusted partners, such as Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. The purchase and domain transfer are handled entirely through that established service, ensuring a safe and standardized transaction process from start to finish.

Are there any hidden fees for buyers?

No. The price you see listed for a domain on Shelved Domains is the price you pay. The transaction is then processed through the partner platform (Sedo/Afternic/Porkbun), which may have its own standard transfer fees, but these are clear during their checkout process. Shelved Domains itself does not add any extra buyer fees or commissions.

How do I sell my unused domain on Shelved Domains?

First, ensure your domain is listed for sale on one of the supported platforms: Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. Then, you can submit your domain for consideration to be listed on the Shelved Domains curated marketplace. If selected, it will be featured at your set "Buy It Now" price. You pay no commission to Shelved Domains; you only pay any standard fees to your listing platform.

What kinds of domains are listed on Shelved Domains?

The marketplace specializes in handpicked, high-quality domains from indie makers and founders. This includes domains across over 20 categories like SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, E-commerce, B2B, Analytics, and Community. All domains are priced at $1000 or less and are ideally suited for startups, side projects, and new ventures.