What Is a Domain Backorder?

A domain backorder is a service that registers a domain for you once it becomes marked available for registration. When you place a backorder, you can monitor the domain’s status, be notified when it’s finally up for an auction, and get a domain name registration of at least one year.

Searching for the perfect domain name for your website or brand is easy—until you find out that the domain you’re thinking of is already owned and registered by someone else. Fortunately, you can place a domain backorder to own your preferred domain name once it expires. 

The Concept of Domain Backordering

To use a certain domain name for your website, you need to lease it and have it registered with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). The problem arises when your chosen domain name is already registered with someone else's brand. And that's where domain backorders come into the picture.

By placing a backorder, you essentially stake your claim on a currently registered domain, expressing your interest in registering it the moment it becomes available. When the domain’s current ownership expires, you get the chance to claim it before the general public does. This works as long as the current owner doesn’t renew their lease.

The Domain Backorder Process

Backordering a domain is really easy, especially when you work with the right provider. Typically, you just need to browse through a list of available domain names, click the “Backorder” button, and wait for the results. Most of the time, you only need to pay the required fees once the domain has been registered for you.

How to Backorder a Domain

Before placing a backorder, it’s important that you do your research on your chosen domain name. Here’s a list of information that you need to check for:

Age of the domain

Using a domain age lookup tool, find out about the amount of time a website has been active. It plays a factor in SEO ranking. A domain that's five years old has an advantage over another that's one year old.

Domain history

You can use WHOIS lookup tools to monitor your domain's history. Make sure to identify any changes that could affect your rankings.

Domain owner

If the domain is inactive, you can identify the owner and when the current registration expires. Alternatively, use a domain availability checker to check if the other cc(tlds) are registered as well. The more tld registrations the domain has, the more valuable it is.

After knowing these details, you should be able to find a suitable domain name. Your next step would be to read the terms and conditions of your chosen domain registrar. If you agree with their fine print, proceed to place your backorder.

What is a Domain Backorder Service?

A domain backorder service allows you to “reserve” an expiring domain name through a provider. When the domain becomes available for re-registration, your provider attempts to register it for you before anyone else does. When domains expire, they enter a 45-day renewal period. If the current owner doesn’t renew their lease, the domain will enter a 30-day redemption grace period. Once the grace period lasts, the domain’s registration will be deleted in five days. As soon as it gets deleted, the backorder service you placed kicks in and attempts to clinch the domain name for you.

How Does a Domain Backorder Work?

Domain backorders are much easier than you think. Here’s how the general process goes:

1. Choose a domain backorder service provider: Make sure to find one that offers excellent services and affordable rates, just like Bishopi.
2. Searching for a suitable domain name: You can use the provider’s tools to look for newly dropped domains or check their availability and status. It’s also important to check a domain’s age and its WHOIS information.
3. Place your backorder: Providers like Bishopi make it incredibly easy to place a domain backorder. When checking out its available domains, you just need to click the “Backorder” button.
4. Monitor the process: You will receive updates from the provider about the domain's status and any attempts to acquire it. Be prepared for potential delays or complications.
5. Await results: If successful, you'll become the new registrant and receive instructions on how to manage the domain. Otherwise, you either get a refund (on selected sites that require upfront payment) or get offers to backorder a different domain.

Key Players in the Domain Backorder Industry

There are so many places where you can place a domain backorder, but here are some of the best services you can try:

GoDaddy

As of January 2024, GoDaddy is the world's largest domain registrar, with over 20 million customers and 84 million domains. Trustpilot ratings indicate 4.7 stars. Users recommend you use it for domains already registered at GoDaddy that expire there.

Bishopi

Users love this AI-powered domain tool’s excellent services at affordable rates. It also offers most of its features for free. For hot domain names, Bishopi’s 10-day auction gives investors and brands a chance to clinch them.

DropCatch

It’s known for allowing users to place backorders for free—charges only apply upon successful registration of the domain. DropCatch also starts a three-day auction for domain names that have backorders from multiple investors. 

The Future of Domain Backordering

Domain backorders are becoming more popular. Here are four significant trends that you need to follow:

Optimization for voice search

Catchy domain names are the trend, as they are easier to look for in voice search. Businesses need to be more creative with their domain names. Shorter, memorable domains can experience increased competition.

Country code domains

More and more brands are targeting their local markets. Domain backorders increase toward hyperlocal domains.

Integration with AI

Businesses leverage AI to create catchy domain names that reflect their brand, align with their keyword strategy, and respect other factors. This can promote less competition for domain backorders.

Blockchain and Web3

ICANN doesn’t control and manage blockchain domains. With these pieces of technology, you can register your own top-level domain at relatively lower fees, which can also help reduce phishing, fraud, and other cybercrimes. You don’t need to renew your registration with ICANN either. 

However, note that blockchain and Web3 are uncharted territories where no solid legal policies are in place. This can result in duplicate domains and domain names, infringement issues, and more—with no regulatory body like ICANN.

Here are the Top 13 Trends in the Domain Industry for 2024 - A Must-Read for Every Domain Enthusiast.

Conclusion

Creativity and brand alignment matter in choosing a domain name. The thing is, you’re not the only investor working hard to think of catchy domain names to register. Fortunately, with domain backorder services, you can get the chance to own your dream domain once it expires.

FAQ Related To Domain Backorder

How does a domain backorder work?

To register a soon-to-expire, currently registered domain, you can place a backorder. As soon as it expires, your domain backorder service provider will attempt to register it under your name before anyone else. This works as long as the current owner of the domain doesn’t renew its registration and ownership.

What is the best backorder domain service?

When it comes to excellent domain tools and affordable pricing, Bishopi is the best AI-powered domain backorder service you can try. You can test its features without paying any cost under its free plan.

What does backorder mean on a website?

It refers to a domain backorder, a service that allows you to try to buy a domain name when it becomes available for registration. It's similar to putting yourself on a waiting list for a soon-to-expire domain.

How do I cancel a domain backorder?

At Bishopi, you can go to the “My Backorders” page to cancel a domain backorder. Note that cancellation is no longer possible if you want to do it within 24 hours before your chosen domain’s registration expires and becomes available for lease.

How long can backorders take?

The duration of a domain backorder primarily depends on how long it takes for a domain to expire. Once it expires, Bishopi attempts to register it for you at the very next moment. If successful, you should receive your login details via email in 48 to 72 hours. If you have competitors over the domain, a 10-day auction will be held for you.

Are domain backorders free? 

Some providers might offer domain backorders for free, but beware that many users find them typically unsuccessful. Other sites charge you only when a domain backorder succeeds. Meanwhile, Bishopi offers affordable backorder pricing as well as free domain-related tools for you