What is domain reseller and how does it work?

domain reseller

Domain reseller – Every website needs a domain name. So, whether you provide hosting services, a website builder or e-commerce platform, IT services, or any combination of the above, offering domain names alongside your core product is a smart move. Making it easy for your clients to register domain names can simplify the user experience, increase customer stickiness, and give you a competitive edge.

And the easiest way to register domain names for your customers — in both the short and long term — is to become a domain name reseller. In fact, many of today’s big-name website builders and hosting companies choose the reseller path.

What is a domain reseller?

Domain reselling is the process of buying domain names from a registrar or a registry and selling them to your customers at a higher price. A registrar is a company that is authorized by a registry to sell domain names under a specific extension. A registry is an organization that manages and operates a top-level domain (TLD), such as .com or .org.

As a domain reseller, you don’t need to be accredited by a registry. You can simply sign up with a domain reseller platform, such as CentralNic Reseller, that provides you with access to hundreds of TLDs at wholesale prices. You can then set your own prices and margins for your customers.

When we hear the term reseller, we think of someone who buys something, be it a product or service, and sells it at a profit to someone else. The reseller adds value by making the experience easier for the end customer.

Similarly, domain resellers register domain names on behalf of their clients by partnering with an accredited registrar (like us). Some resellers sell domains as a stand-alone product, charging their customers slightly more than what they themselves paid. Other resellers bake the cost of the domain name into their bundles or service — this is often done by website builders and e-commerce solutions. In either case, the end customer benefits by having their needs met with a simple user experience.

Who can become a domain name reseller?

Anyone, really! When people think of domain resellers, they often think of large website builders and hosting providers. But reseller platforms are also used by solopreneurs and small companies that provide web development, security, IT, and other business services to a small group of clients. Becoming a domain reseller offers value to anyone who wants a single account through which they can register and manage multiple domains on behalf of various customers.

Domain reselling works in the following steps:

  1. You sign up with a registrar / a domain reseller platform and create an account.
  2. You choose the TLDs that you want to offer to your customers and set your prices.
  3. You integrate the domain reseller platform with your website or online store using an API, a web-based user interface, or a plugin such as WHMCS.
  4. You market your domain reselling services to your target audience and attract potential customers.
  5. Your customers search for available domain names on your website or online store and place their orders.
  6. You process the orders and register the domain names with the registry through the registrar / domain reseller platform.
  7. You deliver the domain names to your customers and provide them with support and maintenance.

What Are the Benefits of Domain Reselling?

Domain reselling has many benefits for both you and your customers. Here’s a glimpse into some of these advantages:

Profitability 

Domain reselling can be a profitable business as you can buy domain names at low wholesale prices and sell them at higher retail prices. You can also earn recurring revenue from renewals, transfers, and additional services.

Flexibility

Domain reselling gives you the flexibility to choose your own pricing strategy, product portfolio, and target market. You can also customize your branding and marketing campaigns according to your preferences and goals.

Scalability

Domain reselling allows you to scale your business easily, as you don’t need to invest in infrastructure, staff, or inventory. You can simply add more TLDs and services as your customer base grows.

Value-added

Domain reselling enables you to add value to your existing products or services, such as web design, web development, web hosting, or digital marketing. You can offer your customers a complete solution for their online needs and increase their loyalty and satisfaction.

Competitiveness

Domain reselling helps you stand out from your competitors, as you can offer your customers a wider range of options and features than they can find elsewhere. You can also leverage the reputation and expertise of your domain reseller platform partner.

The Benefits of Domain Reselling

Budding entrepreneurs can leverage a domain name reseller program to push their operations forward. Domain reseller programs simplify operations, ultimately maximizing the return on your investment of any time, money, or effort spent to launch your business. While the features vary by program and partner, the perks of domain reselling include:

  • Low expenditures: Domain resellers aren’t saddled with large investments in infrastructure, such as renting a dedicated server, because their program provider handles all the technical aspects.
  • Simplified business model: By working with a reseller program, domain resellers won’t have the burden of gathering all the resources to set up a registrar. They can focus on core business aspects and leave backend system maintenance to the experts.
  • Accessibility: Domain resellers gain access to top-level domain names through their registrar. This benefit also allows them to offer their customers a wide range of domain names.

You don’t need an extensive domain background to operate a successful domain business model. But your choice of reseller program provider makes all the difference in delivering an exceptional customer experience.