Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Shelved Domains is a curated marketplace designed specifically for the indie maker and founder community. It connects buyers with high-quality, unused domains from fellow creators, bypassing the corporate resellers and inflated prices common on traditional platforms. The core value proposition is simple: premium domains at indie-friendly prices, with every listing capped at $1000. For buyers, it offers a streamlined, no-haggle "Buy It Now" experience across 20+ categories like SaaS, AI, and E-Commerce, with all transactions secured through trusted partners like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. For sellers, it provides a commission-free storefront to monetize unused domains from shelved projects without moving them from their existing registrar. Shelved Domains solves the dual problem of founders seeking fair-priced, meaningful domains and makers looking to recoup costs on their unused digital assets in a trusted, community-focused environment.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, Handpicked Selection

Every domain listed on Shelved Domains is carefully selected to ensure quality and relevance. The marketplace focuses on premium names from real indie makers and founders, filtering out low-quality or spammy listings. This curation saves buyers time and provides confidence that they are browsing genuinely valuable digital assets for their next project.

Fixed, Indie-Friendly Pricing

All domains are priced at $1000 or less, with a straightforward "Buy It Now" model. This eliminates price negotiations and hidden fees, providing transparency and fairness. The fixed pricing structure ensures that buyers from the indie community can access premium names without corporate-level budgets, making quality domains accessible.

Secure, Partner-Backed Transactions

Purchases are processed entirely through established, secure domain platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. Buyers complete the transaction and domain transfer on these trusted third-party sites, guaranteeing a safe and reliable process. This feature removes risk and complexity from the buying experience.

Commission-Free Seller Listings

Sellers can list their unused domains on the marketplace without paying any additional commissions or listing fees to Shelved Domains. Domains remain hosted on the seller's preferred registrar (Sedo, Afternic, Porkbun), and the platform simply acts as a free, curated storefront to connect them with potential buyers.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

Founders Launching a New Project

An indie founder has a new SaaS or AI startup idea and needs a strong, brandable domain name. They browse Shelved Domains' curated categories to find a premium, memorable domain under $1000 from a fellow maker, enabling a fast and cost-effective launch without lengthy negotiations.

Makers Monetizing Shelved Projects

A developer who previously built a project that is no longer active has a valuable domain sitting unused. They can list it on Shelved Domains to recoup some of their initial investment, reaching a targeted audience of buyers who appreciate the domain's origin and are willing to pay a fair price.

Bootstrapped Businesses Seeking Value

Bootstrapped startups and small businesses with limited budgets need a quality web presence. They use Shelved Domains to find high-caliber domains for e-commerce, B2B services, or community platforms at a fraction of the typical aftermarket cost, preserving capital for development.

Investors and Side Project Enthusiasts

Individuals looking for domain names for side projects, passion ventures, or as a long-term digital asset investment browse the marketplace. The fixed pricing and curated selection allow them to quickly identify and secure unique names with potential, without navigating opaque auction houses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the buying process work?

When you find a domain you like, click the "Buy It Now" link. You will be redirected to the secure domain platform where it is listed (e.g., Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun). The complete purchase and transfer process is handled on that partner's site, ensuring a safe and standard transaction.

Are there any fees for sellers to list domains?

No. Shelved Domains does not charge any listing fees or commissions. Sellers only pay the standard transaction fees charged by the transfer platform they use (Sedo, Afternic, Porkbun). The marketplace is a free, curated directory for your listings.

What kinds of domains are listed?

The marketplace features handpicked, premium domains across 20+ categories including SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, E-Commerce, B2B, Analytics, and Community. All domains come from indie makers and founders, are priced at $1000 or less, and are considered high-quality for branding.

Who is behind Shelved Domains?

Shelved Domains was built by Blue Whale Software. It is an independent platform created to serve the specific needs of the indie maker and founder community by simplifying the process of buying and selling unused project domains.