Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a specialized, curated marketplace engineered to facilitate the direct transfer of high-quality domain names between indie makers, founders, and bootstrapped entrepreneurs. It operates as a streamlined aggregation layer, connecting buyers with premium domains that are already listed on established registrar and aftermarket platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. The core value proposition is its focus on a specific tech ecosystem: it filters out corporate resellers and speculative listings to present a handpicked inventory of domains from real project founders, all priced at a transparent, accessible cap—initially $500, now updated to $1000. For buyers, this means a no-haggle, "Buy It Now" experience with the security of industry-standard transfer protocols. For sellers, it's a zero-commission, no-additional-fee storefront that leverages their existing registrar integrations without requiring domain migration. The platform effectively solves asset liquidity within the indie tech community, turning shelved project domains into affordable, vetted opportunities for new ventures.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated Marketplace Integration

Shelved Domains is not a registrar but a sophisticated aggregation platform that integrates with existing domain aftermarket infrastructure. It curates listings exclusively from Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun, ensuring every domain is already secured within a trusted transfer ecosystem. This technical approach guarantees that all transactions utilize these platforms' standardized security, escrow, and DNS transfer protocols, providing a reliable and familiar purchase process for technically savvy users.

Fixed-Price, No-Negotiation Model

The platform enforces a strict fixed-price model where all listed domains are priced at $1000 or less. This eliminates the traditional auction or negotiation overhead, creating a streamlined, efficient purchasing workflow. This feature is built for developers and founders who value transparency and speed, allowing them to immediately acquire a domain without the time cost of back-and-forth communication, integrating seamlessly into a fast-paced project launch cycle.

Zero-Commission Seller Listings

For sellers, Shelved Domains provides a pure listing service with no additional commissions or listing fees. The technical implementation is lightweight: sellers simply list their domain on their preferred supported platform (Sedo/Afternic/Porkbun) and submit it to Shelved Domains for curation. This architecture allows sellers to maintain full control and hosting on their existing registrar while gaining exposure to a targeted audience, maximizing ROI without complex API integrations or fee structures.

Category-Based Discovery Engine

The marketplace features a robust categorization system spanning over 20 specific tech and business verticals such as SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, APIs, and B2B. This structured taxonomy functions as a discovery engine, allowing buyers to efficiently filter and find domains relevant to their specific tech stack or industry niche. It transforms a broad search into a targeted query, saving significant development and brainstorming time during the project conceptualization phase.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

Bootstrapped SaaS Founder Seeking Brand Identity

An indie developer conceptualizing a new productivity tool can bypass expensive brandable domain marketplaces. They can browse the SaaS and Productivity categories on Shelved Domains to find a concise, relevant .com or .io domain that fits their application's ethos, all within a strict budget. The immediate "Buy It Now" feature allows them to secure the domain and instantly integrate it with their hosting and CI/CD pipeline setup.

Indie Maker Monetizing a Shelved Project

A founder who previously built a prototype for a gaming analytics tool but shelved the project can list the unused domain on Afternic. By submitting it to Shelved Domains, they expose the asset directly to a community of potential buyers actively seeking domains in the Gaming or Analytics categories, recouping project costs without any additional listing complexity or fees, keeping their financial stack lean.

Agency or Developer Building Project Portfolios

A development agency or freelance developer building MVPs for clients often needs quick access to professional domain names. Shelved Domains serves as a rapid procurement tool. They can filter by categories like E-commerce or B2B, find an appropriate domain under $1000, and purchase it securely through Sedo's transfer process, seamlessly handing off the domain credentials to the client as part of the project delivery.

Entrepreneur Pivoting to a New Tech Vertical

An entrepreneur pivoting from a consumer app to a B2B AI tool needs a domain that reflects the new, technical direction. They can utilize the AI & Machine Learning and B2B category filters on Shelved Domains to discover a premium, keyword-rich domain that establishes immediate credibility in the new space, facilitating a faster and more cost-effective rebranding and platform relaunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the domain transfer process work?

All purchases are processed and secured through the integrated aftermarket platforms: Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun. When you click "Buy It Now" on Shelved Domains, you are redirected to the respective platform's listing to complete the transaction. The transfer itself follows that platform's standard, secure protocol, which typically involves escrow services and registrar push or authorization code transfers, ensuring a safe and reliable handover.

Are there any hidden fees or commissions for sellers?

No. Shelved Domains charges zero commissions and has no additional listing fees for sellers. The only fees incurred are those charged by the underlying platform where you list your domain (e.g., Sedo's or Afternic's standard sales commission). You maintain your domain on your current registrar, and Shelved Domains simply acts as a curated directory driving targeted traffic to your existing listing.

What qualifies a domain for listing on Shelved Domains?

Domains must be listed for sale on one of the supported aftermarket platforms (Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun) and be priced at $1000 or less. The curation team also assesses quality, favoring domains that are brandable, concise, and relevant to indie makers and tech founders. Domains from corporate resellers or with speculative pricing are typically excluded to maintain the platform's focused inventory.

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

Currently, no. The platform's technical integration and security model are built specifically around these established aftermarket services. This ensures a consistent, secure, and trustworthy purchase process for buyers. To list on Shelved Domains, you must first list your domain for sale on one of these three supported platforms.