Create A Side Hustle By Domain Flipping in 2025

Are you looking for a side hustle that is easy, requires less investment, and requires no special skill? That’s exactly what domain flipping is. To be specific, we’re talking about buying and selling web addresses.

And believe me, some domains have sold for huge amounts. One of the most insane sales is Cars.com; it went for a jaw-dropping $872 million. Yeah, you read that right. That’s the kind of potential we’re talking about here.

Now, I’m not saying you’ll flip a domain for that much overnight, nor that it could be a full-fledged business. But buying and selling domain names can be a serious side hustle.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how to start flipping domains. Whether you’re completely new to this or already know a thing or two, I’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down step by step.

How to search a domain name

The first thing you have to do here is find the domain you want to buy. Well, there is no contractive way to do this, but I can suggest a few ways to get started. And I am sure when you start doing it, you will find a few more ways.

1. Search by Niche

A great way to find a domain is by sticking to a specific niche. You want a domain name that speaks to a certain audience or industry.

For example, you can check out domain hosting platforms like Hostinger and Bluehost to search for domains. Both of these are solid places to start looking for available domains.

Now a days, AI can be a big help. Let’s say you want to find a domain for SaaS that manage HR. You just have to type promt, and AI will find the domain with it’s availability and price. Domain sellers like Hostinger and Bluehost have this feature.

2. Predict the Trend

The trick to making big bucks in domain flipping is predicting trends. You want to buy a domain that will become valuable in the future. So how do you do that? Here are few ways you can use to predict the future.

Celebrity Names: Is there a new celebrity blowing up or a new Kardashian baby? Try grabbing their name or something related to them.

Business Trends: New businesses or startups are always looking for a catchy domain. You can find the upcoming business trends by using the Google Trends tool.

Next Big Tech: Keep an eye on upcoming technologies, software, devices, anything. Think about domains related to that or just rhymes with that. Yes, rhyming works. Like the metaverse can be dataverse (it’s taken, by the way).

Short Names: Short domains are always in demand because they’re easy to remember. The shorter, the better, like MI.com. It cost them 3.6 million in 2014.

Local Names: Try scooping up domains that include local cities or regions. For example, if you grab “bestrestaurantsNYC.com” before someone else, a restaurant business might want to buy it later.

SEO-Friendly Domains: Businesses love domains that help them rank on Google. Think of industry-targeted names like “domain.com”—specific, simple, and perfect for SEO.

3. Look for Expired Domains

Sometimes, the best domains are already taken, but people let them expire. You can find expired domains that have already built up traffic, backlinks, or authority.

Buying these domains can give you a head start because they may already have some value built into them. There are tools online where you can find these expired domains and snag them before someone else does. We will talk about that in a minute. But …

Before Buying a Domain

Before you throw money at any domain, make sure to do some homework. Otherwise, it can be harmful for the business that is going to buy from you and can hamper your reputation too. Here’s what you need to check:

1. Wayback Machine – History Check

Use the Wayback Machine (it’s a free tool online) to see what the domain was used for in the past. Was it a legit site, or was it used for something shady? You don’t want to buy a domain with a “bad” history.

2. Authority Check

A domain with authority is one that has some trust online. You can use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to see if the domain has a high authority score. This can make your domain more valuable.

3. Spam Score

Make sure the domain wasn’t used for spammy purposes. A high spam score can make it tough to sell the domain. Moz has a spam score tool that helps with this.

4. Backlink Check

Good backlinks are valuable; bad backlinks are a red flag. Check if the domain has quality backlinks from legit sites. A domain with strong backlinks can make it much easier to sell later on.

Based on this information, you can raise your price and gain good money.

Buy a Domain

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to actually buy the domain. You can grab domains from places like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or the earlier-mentioned Hostinger and Bluehost. Just pick the one that works best for you. Make sure to keep an eye on prices and look out for deals or discounts.

You can look for domains on expireddomains.net. It’s a free login site. You can find domains that are about to expire or already expired. If you find one, just go to any domain-selling site and buy it.

You can also buy domains from someone else for a good price if you find potential in a particular domain. In that case, your seller will guide you on how to buy one. 

Domain flipping

Once you’ve got a domain, you need to find someone who’ll pay more for it than you did. Here’s where you can sell it:

Marketplaces: Places like Flippa, Sedo, or Afternic are where domain buyers hang out. You can list your domain there and let potential buyers come to you.

Direct Outreach: Sometimes, you need to reach out directly. If you have a domain that fits a certain business or industry, contact them directly and offer to sell.

Auction Sites: Some domains are sold in auctions, which can drive up the price. Try GoDaddy Auctions to list your domain and see if it sparks interest.

Conclusion

Domain flipping can be fun and profitable too. But it’s not easy money. It takes a little bit of research and a lot of patience. Start small, look for trends, and do your homework before you hit the buy button. With the right strategy, you can turn a simple domain name into real money.