Shelved Domains

About Shelved Domains

Yo, so you know that graveyard of domain names you bought for projects that never saw the light of day? Or maybe you're hunting for a killer domain that doesn't cost a literal fortune? Shelved Domains is your new bestie. It's basically a curated, no-BS marketplace built by and for the indie maker and founder community. Forget those sketchy, corporate domain reseller sites with their insane markups and pushy brokers. This platform is all about connecting real people. Sellers are fellow founders looking to recoup some cash on their unused, premium-quality domains. Buyers get to snag these gems without the headache of negotiation or bankruptcy—every single domain is priced at $1000 or less, with a ton under $500. It's a win-win. They've handpicked domains across 20+ categories like SaaS, AI, Dev Tools, and E-commerce, so you're not sifting through trash. All the boring, secure transfer stuff is handled through the big, trusted platforms like Sedo, Afternic, and Porkbun. Think of it as the Depop or Etsy for domains, but without the fluff and with way more .io's.

Features of Shelved Domains

Curated, No-Corporate Marketplace

This ain't a random domain dump. Every listing on Shelved Domains is handpicked, coming directly from indie makers and founders who actually built (or planned to build) something cool. It cuts out the corporate middlemen and speculators, so you're getting a feed of genuinely good domains with real project potential, not just keyword-stuffed garbage listed by faceless resellers.

Strict "Indie Price" Cap ($1000 or Less)

The absolute best rule in the game. You will not find a single domain listed here for over a grand. Most are way under that. This price ceiling is a core promise, making premium, memorable domains actually accessible for bootstrapped startups and solo builders. It kills the "what's your budget?" anxiety and makes browsing actually fun.

Buy It Now, Zero Negotiation

See a domain you love? The price you see is the price you pay. There's no back-and-forth, no waiting for a seller to respond to your offer, no auction drama. It's a clean, e-commerce-style checkout experience. This saves everyone time and mental energy, turning a typically painful process into a simple, instant purchase.

Commission-Free for Sellers

For founders looking to offload their unused domains, this is a major perk. You list your domain for free. No cut to Shelved Domains, no hidden listing fees. You just keep your domain listed on your existing registrar (like Sedo or Afternic) and point the listing to Shelved. It's purely a discovery engine to get your domain in front of the right eyeballs.

Use Cases of Shelved Domains

The Bootstrapped Founder Needing a Brand

You've got a killer SaaS idea, your MVP is almost ready, but yournameplusrandomnumbers.com just ain't gonna cut it. Browse Shelved Domains for a short, brandable, and affordable domain in the SaaS or AI category that gives your project instant credibility without draining your pre-seed funds.

The Indie Maker Doing Spring Cleaning

You pivoted, you shelved a project, or you just bought too many domains in a hype-fueled frenzy (we've all been there). Instead of letting them expire, list them on Shelved Domains. It's zero-effort, costs you nothing extra, and turns your digital clutter into cash from someone who will actually use it.

The Developer Hunting for a Perfect Dev Tool Name

Naming is hard, especially for technical products. You need something clever, maybe a bit quirky, that resonates with other devs. Shelved Domains' "Developer Tools" category is full of gems with nice TLDs like .sh, .io, and .dev that you can grab instantly to launch your new CLI tool or API service.

The Creator Launching a Community or Content Hub

Starting a newsletter, a community platform, or a content site? You need a domain that's inviting and memorable. Browse categories like Community, Content Creation, or Social Media on Shelved to find names that spark conversation and connection, all at a price that makes sense for a passion project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I buy a domain?

Super simple, fam. When you find a domain you want on Shelved Domains, just click the "Buy It Now" button. You'll be securely redirected to the domain's listing on an established marketplace like Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun to complete the purchase and transfer. Shelved just connects you; the safe transaction happens on those trusted platforms.

How do I sell my unused domains?

Easy peasy. You keep your domain listed exactly where it is now (on Sedo, Afternic, or Porkbun). Then, you just submit your domain to Shelved Domains for curation. If it's approved (gotta be a quality, indie-owned domain under $1000), it gets featured on their site. You pay zero commissions or fees to Shelved—you only pay whatever your transfer platform charges.

Are the domains really good quality?

For real! This isn't an automated spam feed. The Shelved Domains team curates every single listing. They're looking for domains from real indie projects—names that are short, brandable, relevant, and have that "founder" vibe. You're getting the good stuff that someone else once poured heart into, not generic dictionary words bought for resale.

What's the catch? How is this free for sellers?

Honestly, no catch. It's a side project built by Blue Whale Software to help the indie community. They're not trying to make money off your sale. Their goal is to create a dope, focused marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers. Your listing on Sedo/Afternic does all the heavy lifting; Shelved just drives the right traffic to it.