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In the current market, many of us are dealing with slower sales, making it more important than ever to cut unnecessary expenses. Over 15 years of domaining, I’ve faced similar challenges. These are strategies that worked for me, and they might help you save a substantial amount too. Here’s how I’ve managed to save at least 30% annually.
When you’re spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on renewals, these small percentages can lead to real savings. In some cases, I also signed up for new credit cards specifically for domain renewals to take advantage of sign-up bonuses, which covered a large portion of my costs and even an occasional vacation. It also gave me flexibility, to buy names when I didn't immediately have cash in my account, and more than once, it helped me save some expiring names.
Downsides:
The main risk here is overspending. It’s easy to get carried away with a credit card and rack up debt, so I make sure to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. With careful money management, though, this strategy has been a valuable way to cut costs.
Honey, on the other hand, applies coupon codes automatically. While it doesn’t always find codes, it has saved me money on a few occasions, especially during promotional periods. It also offers Honey Gold, which are points given for every checkout where the extension is activated. They can then be redeemed for gift cards and cash.
Downsides:
These extensions can slow down browsing a little and can affect privacy.
I also learned to time transfers around major sales events, like Cyber Monday and Black Friday, when many registrars run promotions offering even better deals on transfers or renewals. Timing transfers to coincide with these events gave me access to discounted rates, and in some cases, registrars provided bulk discounts for transferring or renewing multiple domains at once, which is especially beneficial when managing a large portfolio.
To further maximize savings, I began stacking multiple offers. For instance, I’d take advantage of a registrar’s promotional pricing, then layer on cash-back rewards from browser extensions like Rakuten or Honey, and finally, use a cash-back credit card for the payment. This combination of strategies often allowed me to save $2-3 per domain, and over time, those savings really added up.
Downsides:
While this strategy has saved me a lot of money, it does require a significant time investment. I had to stay on top of expiring domains, gather authorization codes, and manually complete the transfers. Additionally, the transfer process often leads to a few days of downtime, which could result in missing a potential sale. Moreover, not all budget-friendly registrars offer great user experiences, and I sometimes found myself dealing with less intuitive platforms or limited features.
Another challenge is keeping track of promotional timing. Sales are often limited to a certain number of domains, and I’ve had to adjust my transfer and renewal schedules to fit within those windows. Though it requires effort, the savings have been well worth it, particularly when managing a large portfolio on a tight budget. For a quick price comparison across registrars, I recommend using tools like Tldes.com, where you can see how prices vary between renewals and transfers. Currently, the price gap is narrower due to a recent industry-wide price hike, but as the year goes on, you’ll likely see larger differences.
By letting go of these "dead weight" domains, I’ve been able to reduce my renewal costs and focus on higher-potential domains. This has also made my portfolio leaner and more profitable in the long run. How many "dead weight" domains are you paying a $10 yearly subscription for right now?
Downsides:
In the short term, dropping domains can feel risky—what if one ends up selling later? It’s important to really understand which domains to cut and which to keep. For me, it was a learning process, but now I’m better at spotting the low-potential names that aren’t worth renewing. It not only freed up some capital but also a lot of my time managing them.
For example, I’ve found registrars offering 10% off multi-year renewals, which adds up quickly across a portfolio. This strategy requires a bit more upfront spending, but it protects me from price hikes and lets me secure lower costs for longer.
Downsides:
The downside is that I’m committing to a domain for a longer period, and trends can change. What seems like a valuable domain today might not be relevant five years from now. So, I use this strategy selectively for domains I’m confident about.
Downsides:
This is best for smaller batches of domains because it requires a lot of tracking and effort. For large-scale domainers, it may not be as efficient.
Downsides:
The risk here is accidentally missing a renewal. I’ve had to be careful to track expiration dates to prevent domains from dropping. But I prefer that risk to receiving a $30 invoice for a domain that I didn’t plan on renewing.
Beyond domain renewals, other expenses that help support your domain activities—such as the cost of a computer or the portion of your home office you use for domain work—can also be written off. For example, if you use a dedicated workspace in your home to manage your domains, you may be eligible for the home office deduction, which allows you to write off a portion of your rent, mortgage, utilities, or internet bills, provided that space is used exclusively for business purposes.
For technology expenses, the cost of your computer, domain management software, and other tools directly related to your domain business can also be deducted. Just make sure you keep detailed records and receipts, as these will be necessary for substantiating your claims if ever questioned by the IRS.
Downsides:
While these deductions can save you a lot, it's important to consult a tax professional to ensure you're following proper procedures and staying compliant with tax laws. Misreporting or overclaiming expenses can lead to audits and penalties, so it’s best to have an accountant guide you through the process.
If you're working with a tight budget or still optimizing your portfolio, these strategies can be a real lifesaver. In the long term, the goal should be to build a portfolio that’s both manageable and affordable. Owning a smaller number of high-quality names—whether it’s 10, 50, or 100—will be far more sustainable than holding onto hundreds or thousands of average domains. While quality names may require a bigger upfront investment, you'll save both time and money in the long run. A more focused portfolio can stay with one reliable registrar, where you can set domains to auto-renew without the constant need for oversight.
I hope you’ve learned something new here and can apply some of these strategies to keep your domaining journey alive and thriving. If you found something useful, consider giving back by sharing knowledge with the community. Too often, domainers keep valuable insights to themselves, viewing others as competition. But in reality, most of us wouldn’t be where we are without the shared knowledge and support from others. Our real competition is the big companies driving up prices, commissions, and manipulating the markets—not each other.
And hey, if you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee, you can do that here. Thanks, and happy domaining!
William
1. Use Credit Cards That Offer Cash Back on Renewals
Another way I saved money was by using credit cards that offer cash-back rewards on domain renewals. If you’re managing a large portfolio, even small cash-back percentages add up. For instance, I use the Citi® Double Cash Card, which offers 2% cash back—1% when I make a purchase and another 1% when I pay it off. I’ve also used the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which offers 1.5% cash back. Even the Apple card offers 1% on all purchases.When you’re spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on renewals, these small percentages can lead to real savings. In some cases, I also signed up for new credit cards specifically for domain renewals to take advantage of sign-up bonuses, which covered a large portion of my costs and even an occasional vacation. It also gave me flexibility, to buy names when I didn't immediately have cash in my account, and more than once, it helped me save some expiring names.
Downsides:
The main risk here is overspending. It’s easy to get carried away with a credit card and rack up debt, so I make sure to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. With careful money management, though, this strategy has been a valuable way to cut costs.
2. Use Cash-Back Browser Extensions Like Rakuten and Honey
I also started using browser extensions like Rakuten and Honey to save even more when checking out. Rakuten partners with several domain registrars, offering a percentage of your purchase back as cash. All I have to do is activate the extension before I check out.Honey, on the other hand, applies coupon codes automatically. While it doesn’t always find codes, it has saved me money on a few occasions, especially during promotional periods. It also offers Honey Gold, which are points given for every checkout where the extension is activated. They can then be redeemed for gift cards and cash.
Downsides:
These extensions can slow down browsing a little and can affect privacy.
3. Transfer, Don't Renew
One of the most effective strategies I adopted was transferring domains after they expired rather than renewing them with the same registrar. I quickly found that many registrars offer better rates for transfers than for renewals, allowing me to significantly cut down on renewal costs. By taking advantage of these lower transfer rates in a competitive market, I was able to consistently save money on my portfolio.I also learned to time transfers around major sales events, like Cyber Monday and Black Friday, when many registrars run promotions offering even better deals on transfers or renewals. Timing transfers to coincide with these events gave me access to discounted rates, and in some cases, registrars provided bulk discounts for transferring or renewing multiple domains at once, which is especially beneficial when managing a large portfolio.
To further maximize savings, I began stacking multiple offers. For instance, I’d take advantage of a registrar’s promotional pricing, then layer on cash-back rewards from browser extensions like Rakuten or Honey, and finally, use a cash-back credit card for the payment. This combination of strategies often allowed me to save $2-3 per domain, and over time, those savings really added up.
Downsides:
While this strategy has saved me a lot of money, it does require a significant time investment. I had to stay on top of expiring domains, gather authorization codes, and manually complete the transfers. Additionally, the transfer process often leads to a few days of downtime, which could result in missing a potential sale. Moreover, not all budget-friendly registrars offer great user experiences, and I sometimes found myself dealing with less intuitive platforms or limited features.
Another challenge is keeping track of promotional timing. Sales are often limited to a certain number of domains, and I’ve had to adjust my transfer and renewal schedules to fit within those windows. Though it requires effort, the savings have been well worth it, particularly when managing a large portfolio on a tight budget. For a quick price comparison across registrars, I recommend using tools like Tldes.com, where you can see how prices vary between renewals and transfers. Currently, the price gap is narrower due to a recent industry-wide price hike, but as the year goes on, you’ll likely see larger differences.
4. Trim the Dead Weight
Early on, I was guilty of holding onto domains because of their age or the price I had originally paid, even when they weren’t performing. But I eventually learned that this was draining my resources. Every year, I now review my portfolio and identify domains that aren’t getting offers, have little market relevance, or just don’t fit trends anymore.By letting go of these "dead weight" domains, I’ve been able to reduce my renewal costs and focus on higher-potential domains. This has also made my portfolio leaner and more profitable in the long run. How many "dead weight" domains are you paying a $10 yearly subscription for right now?
Downsides:
In the short term, dropping domains can feel risky—what if one ends up selling later? It’s important to really understand which domains to cut and which to keep. For me, it was a learning process, but now I’m better at spotting the low-potential names that aren’t worth renewing. It not only freed up some capital but also a lot of my time managing them.
5. Leverage Early Renewals and Multi-Year Discounts
For domains I plan to hold long-term, I take advantage of multi-year renewals. Some registrars offer discounts if you renew for 2, 3, or even 5 years instead of just 1. Locking in a discount rate for a few years can help avoid price increases, and I’ve saved a good amount this way.For example, I’ve found registrars offering 10% off multi-year renewals, which adds up quickly across a portfolio. This strategy requires a bit more upfront spending, but it protects me from price hikes and lets me secure lower costs for longer.
Downsides:
The downside is that I’m committing to a domain for a longer period, and trends can change. What seems like a valuable domain today might not be relevant five years from now. So, I use this strategy selectively for domains I’m confident about.
6. Use Grace Deletion Periods to Test Domain Potential
A lesser-known trick I’ve used is taking advantage of grace deletion periods. Some registrars allow you to cancel a domain registration within a few days and receive a refund or credit. This has given me a way to "test" a domain name. If I don’t see early demand or realize it’s not the right fit, I can cancel it before committing to a full-year registration fee.Downsides:
This is best for smaller batches of domains because it requires a lot of tracking and effort. For large-scale domainers, it may not be as efficient.
7. Turn Off Auto-Renewal
The registrars aren't going to like this one. One of the simplest ways I’ve saved money is by turning off auto-renewal for most of my domains. Some registrars renew domains well in advance, and the renewal fees are often much higher than the original registration. By manually managing renewals, I’ve avoided surprise invoices and high fees, especially from registrars that charge premium renewal rates.Downsides:
The risk here is accidentally missing a renewal. I’ve had to be careful to track expiration dates to prevent domains from dropping. But I prefer that risk to receiving a $30 invoice for a domain that I didn’t plan on renewing.
8. Claim Domain Renewals as a Tax Deduction
One often-overlooked way to save money in the long run is by claiming domain renewal costs as a business expense on your taxes. If you're operating as a domain investor or running a business that relies on domains, the IRS allows you to deduct these ongoing renewal fees as part of your ordinary and necessary business expenses.Beyond domain renewals, other expenses that help support your domain activities—such as the cost of a computer or the portion of your home office you use for domain work—can also be written off. For example, if you use a dedicated workspace in your home to manage your domains, you may be eligible for the home office deduction, which allows you to write off a portion of your rent, mortgage, utilities, or internet bills, provided that space is used exclusively for business purposes.
For technology expenses, the cost of your computer, domain management software, and other tools directly related to your domain business can also be deducted. Just make sure you keep detailed records and receipts, as these will be necessary for substantiating your claims if ever questioned by the IRS.
Downsides:
While these deductions can save you a lot, it's important to consult a tax professional to ensure you're following proper procedures and staying compliant with tax laws. Misreporting or overclaiming expenses can lead to audits and penalties, so it’s best to have an accountant guide you through the process.
Final Thoughts
If you're working with a tight budget or still optimizing your portfolio, these strategies can be a real lifesaver. In the long term, the goal should be to build a portfolio that’s both manageable and affordable. Owning a smaller number of high-quality names—whether it’s 10, 50, or 100—will be far more sustainable than holding onto hundreds or thousands of average domains. While quality names may require a bigger upfront investment, you'll save both time and money in the long run. A more focused portfolio can stay with one reliable registrar, where you can set domains to auto-renew without the constant need for oversight.
I hope you’ve learned something new here and can apply some of these strategies to keep your domaining journey alive and thriving. If you found something useful, consider giving back by sharing knowledge with the community. Too often, domainers keep valuable insights to themselves, viewing others as competition. But in reality, most of us wouldn’t be where we are without the shared knowledge and support from others. Our real competition is the big companies driving up prices, commissions, and manipulating the markets—not each other.
And hey, if you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee, you can do that here. Thanks, and happy domaining!
William
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