Have you ever typed a URL into your web browser and landed on a nearly empty web page? You’ve likely stumbled on a parked domain page, an owned web address without an active website— a bare-bones placeholder page, sometimes with a message indicating future development on the site.
Domain owners may park web addresses to sell ads for revenue from user clicks, secure multiple domains for future use, or eventually redirect traffic to another site. Here’s a primer on domain registrations, the value of a parked page, and how to park a domain.
What is a parked domain?
A parked domain is a registered domain name not actively in use for a website, email, or other online service. It may remain idle, display a placeholder, or promote ads until developed or sold by its domain owner. It may also redirect visitors to another website.
For example, an ecommerce business running goodestuff.com might buy the goodestuff domain name with different top-level domains (TLDs) like .net, .org, .info, and .biz. When users visit these alternative domains, the business can redirect them to its main domain, goodestuff.com. It may also park similar domain names, like misspellings, to redirect mistaken traffic from user visits to its main site.
Add-on domain vs. parked domain: What’s the difference?
A parked domain and an add-on domain refer to two different areas of domain ownership.
A parked domain is typically left idle or redirects visitors to your primary domain. In the latter case, you can think of it as an alias or alternative address for your primary website. It can also host web ads, anchor email addresses (associated with a parked domain, often used for redirection or marketing purposes), or stay idle with the intent of selling it for a premium price.
An add-on domain is a separate domain hosted within the same web hosting account as your primary domain, letting you run multiple websites under a single account. Your primary and secondary sites share the same server and control panel but have their own unique content and settings. Users experience both websites as independent entities.
Say your primary domain name is lunasfantasticflowers.com. You could add your online store as a subdomain with shop.lunasfantasticflowers.com or purchase a completely unique domain, like buylunasflowers.com. The latter is considered an add-on domain, provided you’re using the same hosting provider to create your new website.
Why park a domain?
Here are three of the most common reasons to purchase and park a new domain:
1. Redirect users
You can register multiple domain names and have them all redirect to the same website. This could include different TLDs or similar domain names purchased to capture more web traffic. You can also redirect users from misspelled domains—for example, Shopify redirects traffic from shopifi.com to shopify.com to avoid lost traffic.
An ecommerce business running goodestuff.com might buy the goodestuff domain name with different domain extensions like .net, .org, .info, and .biz. When users visit these alternative domains, the business can redirect them to its main domain, goodestuff.com.
2. Protect valuable domain names
Parking multiple domain names prevents competitors from acquiring similar names that could confuse customers or dilute your brand identity.
It also prevents cybersquatters from profiting at your expense. Cybersquatting (or domain squatting) is where speculators buy domain names—sometimes the legitimate name of an existing business or recently expired domains—to generate revenue by selling them back to businesses at a higher price.
3. Monetize unused domains
You can also leverage domain names for extra cash. Some people purchase domains with high traffic potential and use them to display targeted ads to visitors, earning money without building a full website.
Beyond ad revenue, you can invest in and flip domains by snatching up potentially lucrative domain names in hopes that a new business will pay a premium to purchase them for their own sites.
How to park a domain
- Choose a reputable domain registrar or domain parking service
- Verify your domain and update your DNS settings
- Secure your parked domain from unauthorized transfers
- Build traffic to your parked domain
- Refine and optimize your domain strategy
There are multiple ways to park a domain, whether you’re securing, monetizing, or preparing it for future use. Here’s a safe and effective method:
1. Choose a reputable domain registrar or domain parking service
Once you’ve found your perfect domain name, Choose a reputable domain registrar, like Shopify, GoDaddy, IONOS, or Namecheap, or a domain parking service.
Registering a domain name typically starts at around $10 per year. Be wary of companies offering free domain registration. Your domain name is valuable digital property and reputable providers do not offer registration for free. Enable auto-renewal to retain ownership and prevent cybersquatters from acquiring the name.
A domain parking service, provided by specialized companies, lets you passively monetize a registered domain that doesn’t currently host a website. The parking service automatically displays targeted ads on a simple landing page, letting you earn revenue as a site owner. You’re typically paid based on clicks or impressions.
2. Verify your domain and update your DNS settings
Follow your registrar’s protocol to verify that you’re the new owner of the registered domain. This usually involves adding a specific domain name system (DNS) record or file to your domain settings. If you want to send users to your primary website, set up a redirect to make your parked domain act as a new alias for your main site.
If you’re using a parking service, point your domain name’s servers to the parking service’s servers (check with your provider for the exact procedure) to ensure people land on the intended page when they enter your URL in their browser.
3. Secure your parked domain from unauthorized transfers
Enable domain privacy protection to hide your personal details and lock your domain, preventing unauthorized transfers and cybersquatting. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to safeguard against hacking.
4. Build traffic to your parked domain
A well-trafficked domain is indexed by search engines and appears prominently on their results pages, attracting more visitors to your site. You can also monetize the domain with ads to earn revenue based on user clicks. While this ad revenue might not match what you’d make from an ecommerce store, it still brings value to domain ownership.
5. Refine and optimize your domain strategy
Next, evaluate your current strategies and refine them as needed. If you bought your domain to develop a proper website, create a “Coming Soon” landing page while building out the site. Avoid populating the parked domain with the same content that you feature on other sites you own to protect your search engine optimization (SEO) rankings.
If you want to flip the domain, list it on domain marketplaces or domain auctions like Sedo, Afternic, and Flippa to attract potential customers. Highlight its traffic, search engine visibility, and digital marketing potential.
To redirect traffic to an existing website, purchase alternate TLDs or domains with common misspellings of your main website. Set up automatic redirects to send users to your main website without effort on their part.
Parked domain FAQ
What does it mean if a domain is parked?
A parked domain is a registered domain not actively being used for a website but instead displays a landing page, ads, or placeholder content. The site typically stays this way until the domain name is developed or sold.
What is an example of a parked domain?
An example of a parked domain is diamond.com, which contains a “Coming Soon” landing page with ads.
What are the risks of parked domains?
The risks of parked domains include missed opportunities to build traffic, attract potential buyers, or establish a digital presence, which could diminish the value of your investment. You also expose yourself to potential cybersquatting or unauthorized transfers.
Can you make money on parked domains?
Yes, you can make money on parked domains by displaying paid-based ads, listing them on domain marketplaces or auctions, and selling them to potential buyers looking for a premium domain name.
