Every great brand started
with the right name.

VPN.com wasn't for sale. We bought it anyway, and saved $775K.

Anonymous from the first call. No fee until we close.

1,000+ transactions
$25K – $25M deal range
Forbes Technology Council
#1 broker for large deals — Neil Patel

A sample of our portfolio

ETH.com Stealth acquisition
Both parties anonymous
7-figure
CIA.com Premium three-letter .com 6-figure
Meet.com Other brokers failed
We closed it
7-figure
University.com 9M+ social media views
on announcement
7-figure
VPN.com Our own domain
4 years of patience
7-figure

1,000+ transactions · Named the best domain broker for large deals by Neil Patel · Forbes Technology Council

Why VPN.com became a domain brokerage

In 2014, Michael Gargiulo found the perfect domain for his cybersecurity venture. VPN.com. It wasn't for sale.

He spent four years building a relationship with the owner. No pressure. No ultimatums. When the owner was finally ready, Michael was the first call.

The asking price was nearly $2 million. They closed at $976,730, saving $750K through patient, professional negotiation.

Then Michael met Sharjil Saleem. Together they built the brokerage that now handles deals from $25,000 to $25 million.

$976K
Acquisition price
$750K
Saved in negotiation
1,000+
Broker transactions
Michael Gargiulo
Michael Gargiulo
Founder & CEO
Sharjil Saleem
Sharjil Saleem
VP of Domains

Frequently Asked Questions

Why shouldn't we just try to buy it ourselves?
The moment you reach out, leverage disappears. Advisors preserve anonymity, control price discovery, and prevent signaling. That discipline generally saves more than it costs.
How do I know you'll actually create value?
Our compensation is outcome-based. If we don't deliver there is no cost. Value creation isn't optional, it's our business model.
What if you push us to overpay just to close?
Overpaying destroys trust and referrals. We operate under explicit price discipline because long-term credibility matters more than any single deal.
Why not just use a marketplace or broker platform?
Marketplaces work for listed assets. Advisors unlock off-market domains held by owners who aren't advertising and won't engage without professional mediation.
Is this really worth the fee?
The real cost isn't the fee, it's overpaying, losing anonymity, or missing the moment entirely. Advisors exist to prevent expensive mistakes, not add friction.

Domain Broker Service Explained

Michael · ·13 min read

A Domain Broker Negotiates Premium Names You Cannot Buy on the Open Market

Most high-value domains are already owned and never publicly listed. A domain broker handles confidential outreach, expert negotiation, and secure escrow so you acquire or sell the exact name you need. VPN.com focuses on premium domains valued at $100,000 and above. No upfront fees. Anonymous from the first call.

What a Domain Broker Does

A domain broker is a specialist who buys or sells domain names that have no “Buy Now” button. The owner already holds the asset. Normal channels rarely work.

Your broker locates the owner, initiates contact under a shield of anonymity, negotiates price, and manages escrow. Buyer identity stays hidden so sellers cannot research your funding round and inflate the ask.

VPN.com built this entire business on one deal. We acquired VPN.com itself for $1 million and saved $775,000 at the negotiation table. That single transaction proved the model we now run for clients worldwide.

Buy-Side vs. Sell-Side Representation

Buy-Side

We help you acquire domains that are already taken, hidden behind privacy protection, or strategically held. We manage the narrative, shield your identity, and negotiate terms aligned with your budget. Commission is 15%, payable only when the deal closes.

Sell-Side

We help you monetize premium domains collecting renewal fees or attracting only lowball offers. Our network reaches serious end-user buyers who pay true market value. We position the asset, run a controlled process, and maximize your exit.

Both sides benefit from the same principle: information asymmetry wins deals. We control that asymmetry for you.

Start your confidential acquisition or sale today.

How VPN.com Closes a Deal in 4 Steps

Step 1: Strategy Call. You tell us the domain you want or the asset you want to sell. We assess feasibility, review comparable sales data, and set a target price range. This call is free and confidential.

Step 2: Valuation and Outreach. We build a data-backed valuation using actual sales comps, keyword metrics, brand strength, and current market conditions. Then we contact the owner anonymously. Your name never surfaces.

Step 3: Negotiation. We structure offers, manage counteroffers, and apply leverage from $75M+ in closed transactions. Most deals reach agreement within 30 to 90 days.

Step 4: Escrow and Transfer. Funds move through vetted escrow services. We verify transfer codes, confirm clean title, and handle all paperwork. You receive the domain with full documentation.

Regular updates land in your inbox at every stage. Complete confidentiality stays intact until close and beyond.

Why VPN.com Wins Deals Others Cannot

$75M+ in domain transactions closed. This is not a side project. It is our entire business.

$775,000 saved on our own acquisition. We bought VPN.com for $1M against an initial ask of $1.775M. We know exactly what disciplined negotiation delivers because we lived it.

1,000+ domains transacted by our leadership team, led by CEO Michael Gargiulo and VP Sharjil Saleem.

No upfront fees. We charge a 15% commission on buy-side deals, collected only at close. Our incentive is identical to yours: close the deal at the best possible price.

Anonymous from the first call. Your company name, industry, and budget never reach the seller. This single tactic prevents six and seven figures in price inflation.

Cybersecurity built in. We help clients choose domains that reduce phishing and typosquatting vectors. A strong exact-match domain shrinks your attack surface from day one.

Deals ranging from $100K to multi-million dollars. Meet.com for Huuuge Inc., Asset.com for a global financial client, DXB.com for a Dubai-based buyer. Each deal involved an owner who was not selling until we made the right approach.

Domain name broker recommended by Domaining.com

Proof in the Numbers

MetricResult
Total transaction value advised$75M+
Domains bought and sold by leadership1,000+
Typical close timeline30 to 90 days
Buy-side commission15%, only at close
Upfront fees$0

These are not projections. They are closed deals with real contracts and real escrow receipts.

Get your free strategy call now.

Explore Our Domain Brokerage Services

Each service page below covers a specific scenario. Find the one that matches your goal.

Buy a Premium Domain

The domain you want is taken. We acquire it anonymously, negotiate aggressively, and close through secure escrow. You pay nothing until the deal is done.

Sell a Premium Domain

Your domain deserves more than lowball offers from speculators. We connect you with serious end-user buyers and run a controlled process to maximize your exit value.

Confidential Domain Acquisition

Your identity stays hidden through every phase: outreach, negotiation, contract, and WHOIS records post-close. This is our most discreet service for high-profile buyers.

Domain Valuation

Know what a domain is actually worth before you negotiate. We deliver independent, data-backed valuations grounded in real sales comps and current market conditions.

The Domain You Want Is Not Getting Cheaper

Every month you wait, the owner fields more inquiries. Competing buyers circle. Renewal fees confirm the asset holds value. Prices trend in one direction.

VPN.com has closed $75M+ in transactions because we move fast, negotiate from data, and protect your anonymity from the first call. We saved $775,000 on our own domain purchase. We will bring that same intensity to yours.

Tell us the domain. We will tell you what it takes.

Submit your confidential inquiry now.

Latest Domain Guides

Buy premium domains with VPN.com's brokerage service. Anonymous negotiation, no fee until close, $75M+ in closed transactions.

VPN.com Editorial Team

Acquire premium domains without revealing your identity. VPN.com's confidential brokerage protects your leverage and keeps negotiations private.

VPN.com Editorial Team

Get an accurate domain valuation from VPN.com. We assess comparable sales, traffic, brand potential, and market demand to price your domain correctly.

VPN.com Editorial Team

Sell your premium domain for top dollar. VPN.com brokers handle valuation, buyer qualification, negotiation, and secure escrow transfer.

VPN.com Editorial Team

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We paid $1M for VPN.com.

It wasn't for sale. We got it anyway — and saved $775K at the table. Tell us what you want and we'll do the same for you.

Get your callback