A parked domain is a registered domain name that is not actively used for a website or email services. Instead, it is temporarily “parked” on a server by the domain owner or registrar. Parked domains typically display a placeholder page or ads provided by the domain registrar or hosting provider.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about parking a domain and we will also list some examples of domain name parking.

Why Have a Parked Domain?

Now that you have learned what is a parked domain, let’s see why you should invest in one in the first place.

• To Send Users to the Same Website as a Primary Domain: A parked domain can help you redirect traffic to your primary domain. Occasionally, your website visitors and potential clients may type in your website wrong. A parked domain with a similar name to your primary domain can help redirect users to your main website.
• To Protect a Valuable Domain Name: Choosing a particular domain name can be challenging as it can already be taken. If you were lucky enough to find the right domain name for your business, but the website is still not ready to be hosted, a parked domain can help you reserve a personal domain for future use.
• To Keep a Domain Before It Expires: Expired domains can potentially bring value, especially if the domain name is similar to your existing brand name or a trademark. Buying a parked domain before it expires ensures that it won’t be available to others. Additionally, trying to reacquire a domain after it expires can be difficult and more expensive than purchasing it shortly before expiration.
• To Sell a Domain: You may have an eye that can recognize potentially valuable domain names. They purchase them and sell them later at a profit. Some businesses are willing to pay more to buy a domain name from other individuals, and using a parked domain is perfect for that purpose.
• To Earn Money on Ads: You can monetize your parked domain through ads and affiliate links. Every time someone visits your domain and clicks on the ad, you generate some income. Domain parking services allow you to monetize your parked page in exchange for your profit percentage.
• To Prevent Cybersquatting: Cybersquatting is a malicious practice of buying domain names that contain brand names or trademarks with the intent to profit from misleading users. You can purchase a parked domain name that is similar to your brand name to prevent cybersquatting.

Parked Domain vs. Addon Domain

Parked domains and addon domains are often used interchangeably, but they are two different terms. There are multiple types of domains, including parked and addon domains.

An addon domain is a separate, fully functional website, hosted via a web hosting service. Addon domains have their content and SEO value but may come with extra costs and resources. On the other hand, parked domains represent a single page used as a placeholder for future use or resale.

Addon domains are not to be confused with a subdomain. A subdomain is a second site with unique website content. However, the domain name isn’t different because it’s a subset or a portion of an already-registered domain.

Subdomains allow website owners to send visitors to a different website or specific IP address without investing in a new domain name.

Whether you choose a parked domain or an addon domain depends on your specific needs and intentions with the website you plan to host using that domain.

Parked Domain vs. Domain Parking Services

A parked domain and domain parking are two terms that are being used interchangeably, which is why we’ll help differentiate between them.

A parked domain is a web address that lacks an active website, while domain parking is a service that allows you to register a domain, park it, and earn cash while it’s sitting inactive.

Domain parking services are platforms and companies that specialize in monetizing parked domains.

Website owners may buy a parked domain to generate revenue through ads and sponsored links displayed on their parked domains. The domain parking service will handle the revenue generation process and set the ads that will appear on your domain’s web page.

Using domain parking services can help you cover the domain registration costs or for passive income generation.

How to Park a Domain?

Parking a domain is a relatively simple and straightforward process and not much more straightforward than buying a main domain. There are two main methods to park a web page:

• Via your domain registrar
• Via your web hosting provider

Continue reading to learn how each of these two methods works, and choose the option that is the most suitable for your needs.

Parking a Domain via Your Domain Registrar

To park a domain via your domain registrar check whether the domain you want to purchase is available. There are a few ways to do it, but the simplest is to type in the desired domain name in your browser bar.

If you don’t find a website linked with the domain, chances are that the domain name is either available or already parked. A good way to check whether the domain has already been parked is to conduct a WHOIS lookup. Whois database can show who is the owner of a domain and how to contact them.

Tools like the ICANN lookup can tell you whether a domain is already purchased, as well as who is the owner of it. It will also provide information about the owner which can help reacquire it. Alternatively, you can try different variants of the names or different extensions like .net, .org, .co, and others.

If your preferred domain name is taken, try a different one and go to a domain registrar of your choice to register it. Domain names are cheap, but the price may vary depending on the extension you’re taking and who your domain provider is.

Once you buy a specific domain, you’re ready to park it, but the process may vary depending on the provider you opt for.

Parking a Domain via Your Hosting Provider

If you already own a web hosting plan, it’s possible to park a domain using your cPanel. Your web hosting provider may already provide you with a free domain name within your hosting plan or allow you to purchase one for a ridiculous price.

Getting your domain parked via a hosting provider is ideal if you already own a hosting plan or are planning to grow a business in the future that will consist of multiple domains that you want to park for future use. That way, you can reserve a domain for your business name. It’s also a smart way to prevent cybersquatting.

The process of parking your domain via your hosting provider may vary depending on which provider you’re subscribed to. In the following sections, we detail how you can park your domain via the most popular hosting providers.

Parked Domain Examples

Many web hosting providers enable their clients to park their websites using their cPanel. Here’s how you can easily do it through the most popular hosting service providers.

GoDaddy Parked Domain

Parking a domain through GoDaddy cPanel is intuitive and easy. Below are the steps to park a domain via GoDaddy.

• Step 1: Log in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio and search for the domain you would like to park.
• Step 2: Click three dots that represent Domain Edit Options located next to the domain you’d like to park and then select Edit DNS.
• Step 3: Select Edit located next to the A record with @ in the Name field. Make sure to note down the current IP that is listed below saving any changes in case you want to unpark your domain later.
• Step 4: Find the Value field and update the IP address to 34.102.136.180.
• Step 5: Select Save to save your changes. Keep in mind that the DNS updates can take anywhere from an hour to 48 hours to take effect.

BlueHost Parked Domain

Bluehost is another web hosting provider that allows you to easily park your domain. We listed the necessary steps below:

• Step 1: In the Domains tab in your Bluehost dashboard click Assign:
• Step 2: Choose from existing domain names and assign the domain parking.
• Step 3: Follow the displayed instructions on the screen in order to verify that you’re the domain owner.
• Step 4: Click Parked Domain and click Assign this Domain.
• Step 5: Your parked domain is now listed in your Domain Manager tab.

Squarespace Parked Domain

Parking a domain via Squarespace is a bit different than other web hosting providers. When you purchase a domain, if it’s not linked to any website that is hosted online, it’ll automatically be parked. Keep in mind that Squarespace parked pages are default and can’t display ads or sponsored links.

Instead, a parked web page shows a short video and features a minimalistic design until you connect the domain with a website. The same goes for domains you transferred from other domain registrars that don’t have a website connected to them.

How to Buy a Parked Domain

If the domain name you set your eyes on is already taken, you’ll need to negotiate with the current owner and reacquire it through a domain marketplace or a domain registrar.

Here’s how to do it.

• Identify the Domain: Locate the parked domain that you’re looking to purchase. It can be found on a domain marketplace, or as you’re browsing.
• Check Ownership: Determine who is the owner of the domain. You can easily do this by conducting a WHOIS lookup because it helps you find contact information or other information about the domain owner. It can also help you see whether the parked domain is put up for sale.
• Contact the Owner: Using the information you collected, reach out to the owner and express your interest in buying the domain.
• Negotiate Price: You’ll have to prepare to negotiate the domain’s price. Usually, it can be purchased back for a few hundred dollars. However, the domain owner may even put up a heftier price if they see that the domain name is valuable.
• Agree On Terms: Once you agree on a price for the parked page, it’s time to discuss the terms of the sale including the transfer process, payment methods, and any additional warranties or guarantees.
• Transfer Domain: Make sure to use an escrow service for additional security when handling the payment and domain transfer. The domain owner should initiate the transfer process using their domain registrar.
• Ownership Transfer: Once the domain is transferred to your registrar account, you’ll become the owner of the parked domain. Make sure to update the contact information and DNS settings for your parked domain.
• Verify Ownership: Make sure that you’re the full owner of your parked domain. Check the registrar’s control panel to confirm that you have full ownership. Don’t forget to renew the domain annually to maintain ownership or set up auto-renewal.

How to List Your Parked Domains for Sale?

There are multiple ways to list parked domains for sale. If you’re looking to list your parked domains for sale, here are the steps to do it.

1. Use a Domain Name Broker: Domain name brokers will list your parked domain for sale. This is one of the easier methods to sell your domain because the broker will handle all the selling details instead of you.
2. Use Online Domain Marketplace: You can use an open marketplace to sell your parked domain name. However, only experienced domain sellers prefer this way of domain selling because it’s easy to get scammed.
3. Set Your Parked Domain Up for Auction: You can put your parked domain up for auction via online service suitable for auctions. However, this option may not bring you too much money compared to other options. Some auction websites to consider include GoDaddy Auctions and Sedo.
4. List Your Domain: Once you choose a selling platform for the parked domain you’re trying to sell, find the most suitable option to list it for sale. Make sure to include the domain name, pricing information, detailed description, and all the necessary information that the buyer may need. Keep in mind that when you’re selling domains, they should be listed on WHOIS lookup.
5. Set Payment And Transfer Options: Choose your preferred payment method and opt for the domain transfer process. To ensure secure payment, we recommend using an escrow service.
6. Include Your Contact Information: Don’t forget to include the necessary contact information, so that the buyers can reach out to you with their offers.
7. Verify Ownership: Make sure to verify the ownership of the domain name by demonstrating control over its DNS settings or email accounts linked to the domain.
8. Close the Deal: Once you find a suitable buyer for your domain, and you both agree to the terms, follow along with the transfer process and close the selling deal.
9. Transfer the Domain: After receiving payment, unlock the domain provide all the authorization codes to the buyer, and transfer the domain to their registrar.
10. Confirm Transfer and Close the Sale: Verify that the domain has been successfully transferred to the buyer’s registrar and complete any remaining administrative tasks on the marketplace.

Conclusion

Knowing what is a parked domain is helpful if you’re looking to reserve an unused domain name for your business, while still choosing a web hosting provider, or picking from the best website builders to use. Parked domains can also generate income so don’t let your unused domains go to waste. Explore their potential and maximize their value.

Next Steps: What Now?

• Invest in a primary domain name and hosting – If you want to build a specific website and host it online, learn the difference between domain and web hosting in this domain vs. hosting comparison.
• Explore domain name generators – A good domain name generator can help you choose a unique domain name for your website.
• Learn more about domain name management – A practice about ensuring that your domain portfolio is stable and secure from threats.
• Make sure your domain doesn’t expire – Learn what happens to expired domains and how you can ensure your domain is renewed before it expires.
• Choose a business domain name – If you want to start a business and need to set up a site for it, a parked domain can help you reserve the domain name you want to use for your business while you still build a website.