Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a specialized, curated marketplace designed to facilitate the direct sale and purchase of high-quality domain names between indie makers, founders, and entrepreneurs. It operates as a streamlined alternative to traditional, large-scale domain marketplaces, which are often saturated with corporate resellers and domains listed at speculative, inflated prices. The platform's core value proposition is its rigorously handpicked inventory of premium domains, all priced at a transparent and accessible ceiling of $1000, with many available for $500 or less. For buyers, it provides a frictionless "Buy It Now" experience across over 20 targeted categories such as SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, and E-Commerce, eliminating price negotiations. All transactions are secured and processed through established, trusted third-party platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun, ensuring safe and standardized domain transfers. For sellers, primarily founders with unused project assets, Shelved Domains offers a commission-free listing service, allowing them to monetize shelved domains while maintaining custody on their preferred registrar, with no additional fees beyond the standard transfer platform charges. It effectively addresses a key pain point in the indie ecosystem by creating a trusted venue for cost recovery and affordable domain acquisition.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, Premium Domain Inventory

The marketplace features a meticulously handpicked selection of domain names, ensuring each listing meets a standard of quality and relevance. Domains are sourced directly from indie makers and founders, avoiding mass-reseller stock, and are categorized across 20+ specific niches like AI, SaaS, and Developer Tools. This curation process guarantees buyers are browsing a vetted collection of meaningful, brandable names rather than an overwhelming sea of automated listings.

Transfixed "Buy It Now" Pricing Model

All domains on Shelved Domains are listed with a fixed, non-negotiable price point, capped at a maximum of $1000. This model eliminates the uncertainty and time investment associated with auction bidding or price haggling common on other platforms. Buyers can immediately assess cost and make a purchase decision based on a clear, upfront value, streamlining the acquisition process significantly.

Commission-Free Seller Listings

Sellers can list their unused domains on the marketplace without incurring any additional commission fees from Shelved Domains itself. The platform acts as a discovery layer, directing buyers to the seller's existing listing on integrated platforms like Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. Sellers only deal with the standard transfer fees of their chosen registrar, maximizing their return on investment.

Secure, Platform-Integrated Transactions

Purchase security and domain transfer logistics are handled entirely by established, third-party domain marketplaces and registrars, including Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. This integration ensures that all financial transactions and ownership transfers follow secure, industry-standard protocols, providing trust and safety for both parties without Shelved Domains acting as an intermediary for funds or assets.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

Indie Founder Project Pivot

An indie founder who has shelved a previous startup project can list the associated domain name on Shelved Domains to recoup a portion of their initial investment. This provides a direct channel to a community of buyers who value domains with a founder-backstory, turning a sunk cost into liquid capital that can be reinvested into a new venture.

Bootstrapped Startup Launch

A bootstrapped entrepreneur seeking a strong, brandable domain name for their new SaaS or AI tool can bypass expensive premium marketplaces. They can browse Shelved Domains' curated categories to find a high-quality, relevant domain at a predictable and budget-conscious price (under $1000), significantly reducing initial launch costs.

Developer Side Project Branding

A developer building a side project or a new developer tool can find a concise, technical, and memorable domain (e.g., .sh, .io, .dev) through the platform's Developer Tools category. The fixed-price model allows for precise budgeting, and the secure transfer via platforms like Porkbun ensures a smooth technical onboarding process.

Digital Asset Portfolio Management

An individual or small studio holding a portfolio of unused domain names from past ideas or experiments can efficiently monetize these assets. By listing them on Shelved Domains, they maintain control on their registrar while gaining exposure to a targeted audience, effectively managing and deriving value from idle digital inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the purchase and transfer process work?

When you click "Buy It Now" on a Shelved Domains listing, you are redirected to the secure checkout of the integrated platform where the domain is officially listed, such as Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. The entire financial transaction and domain push/transfer process is managed by that third-party platform using their established, secure protocols. Shelved Domains functions solely as a curated discovery layer.

Are there any hidden fees or commissions for sellers?

No. Shelved Domains does not charge sellers any listing fees or sales commissions. Sellers list their domains on the marketplace for free. The only fees involved are those charged by the third-party transfer platform (e.g., Sedo, Afternic, Porkbun) for facilitating the sale, which are standard regardless of using Shelved Domains for discovery.

What criteria are used to curate the domains listed?

Domains are curated based on quality, brandability, and relevance to the indie maker and startup community. The selection prioritizes names from genuine founders (not bulk resellers), ensures they are priced at $1000 or less, and categorizes them into specific, useful niches like SaaS, AI, and Developer Tools to aid targeted discovery.

Can I list a domain that is not on Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun?

Currently, Shelved Domains is integrated specifically with Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun to ensure a secure and standardized transfer process. To list a domain on the marketplace, it must be listed for sale on one of these supported platforms. This integration is fundamental to the platform's operational model and buyer security guarantees.