Over the last 25 years, I have collected a lot of domains. Maybe 60+ if I count properly. At some point, I realized I was not really collecting them. I was hoarding them.
The mind does this thing where it keeps telling you:
- this domain can become a product
- this is a great name
- this is a short name, maybe it has resale value
- I can sell it later
- I might build something with it one day
Most of the time, that is just a wild theory.
Once enough time passes, the domain is no longer exciting, but the renewal bill is still there. If a domain costs around 15 USD per year and I keep 20 of them, that is already 300 USD per year. If I renew those for 10 years, that becomes 3000 USD.
That is not a small amount of money. It is also money that could have gone somewhere more useful.
The point where it became obvious
Sometimes the problem is not the domain itself. It is the habit of renewing it without checking whether it still has a purpose.
For a long time, I could justify that habit because measuring the value took too much effort. That was a convenient excuse.
Now there are enough tools to at least measure the direction of value. It is not perfect, but it is better than guessing and paying every year without thinking.
How many domains did I discontinue in July 2026?
In July 2026, I disabled renewal for 24 domains. That came after a fairly thorough look at the costs and the last 12 years of holding them.
My average cost was not 15 USD per year after all. It was closer to 14 USD per domain per year - on average. At least 12 of those domains were from the last 5 years. The rest were more than 12 years old.
I will let that sit for a moment.
Now I cut off 330 USD each year related to domain expenses.
I am generally lazy, and prefer to automate these things. Using Domain Portfolio - Query Cloudflare or Porkbun API; I have automated the process in a singular state console script which will allow you to pull in domain data from Cloudflare and Porkbun using their API and generate a CSV for you so you can import it to Google Sheets and do your cost analysis.
What I use to judge a domain
I do not think any single tool gives the full answer. But together, they help me avoid keeping dead weight.
A few ways to check it
- Use domain appraisal tools. They are not accurate, but they can still give a rough baseline.
- Use AI tools with proper context. Give them the original reason you bought the domain and ask them to be critical.
- Use Google Trends / Keyword Planner to get a sense of demand, intent, and geography.
- Use Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker / Moz Link Explorer when the domain has history or existing authority.
- Use the Wayback Machine to check previous use, reputation, and possible trademark issues.
Domain appraisal tools I usually check
- NameBio - Useful for verified comparable sales. Good for understanding what kinds of domains actually sold for real money.
- GoDaddy Appraisal - A quick automated baseline. Useful enough for a rough comparison. I also moved away from GoDaddy domains years ago, but that is a separate issue.
- Dynadot Appraisal - Free estimate with comparable-sale suggestions. Fine for learning and rough filtering.
- ExpiredDomains.net - Useful for checking availability, extensions, backlinks, age, and competition.
The prompt I use when I want a stricter opinion
This is the stricter prompt I use when I want a real opinion instead of a polite one. It works best when the placeholders are filled in honestly.
See domain-valuation-prompt for the full version.
If you manage to read all the way to the end, fair enough.
- Do you have any other way of doing this?
- Have you tried the prompt?
Let me know.