Domain Names on the Secondary Market: Potential .ae and .qa Zone Development

June 12, 2025 Robert Hancock 0 Comments

Domain names remain a key element in the online presence for both small businesses and international companies. Short and easy-to-remember ccTLDs (national domain zones) remain the most in demand, especially those related to actively developing regions. The domains in the zone attract special attention..ae is the national domain of the United Arab Emirates as well..QA is the Qatari domain, which is showing steady growth. Both zones become an object of interest not only for registration, but also for trading on the secondary market.

What does.AE domains are attractive

.ae is a national domain that has been available for registration since the early 90s. It stands out against the background of such ccTLDs as .co.uk .me, .de, due to its openness: any person or company from any country can register a domain name without documents, in real time. The level of trust in these domains is high, as they are regulated by a government organization. The domain zone policies are transparent and comply with international standards. This creates confidence in the protection of the rights and investments of the owners.

According to official data, 237,000 domains were registered at the beginning of 2022.ae, which confirms the steady interest from entrepreneurs and investors. In 2021 alone, 15,000 new names were registered. The growth is directly related to the region’s reputation as a reliable economic center. High activity in industries such as construction, medicine, travel, cryptocurrencies, and media makes local domains a logical choice for new projects and existing companies.

Secondary market: investments in digital property

In the secondary market (aftermarket), domain names become objects of purchase and sale. There has been activity in the zone in recent years .ae has increased dramatically. More than 100 public transactions with .ae domains have been recorded. The average selling price is about $13,000. At the same time, individual transactions reach six-digit amounts: for example, auto.ae It was sold for $101,000, and tv.ae — for $95,000. These transactions have been conducted through major auction platforms, and interest in short domains continues to grow.

Investors view premium domains as an asset: they can be resold or used to promote a brand. At the same time, parameters such as domain age, keyword relevance, suitability for SEO, brandability, and usage history play an important role. The purchase takes place through an auction or direct negotiations between the buyer and the owner. An escrow service platform is often used, which guarantees a secure transaction between the parties by holding the payment until the transfer is completed.

Registration and auctions

Although two-letter and most three-letter domains are already occupied, there remains a wide range of vocabulary words and short combinations. Domain auctions allow you to access names that are already registered but are available for sale. The platforms offer various formats: online auctions, live sessions, and timed auctions. Before participating, it is important to study the domains, evaluate them, and check for possible legal conflicts related to trademarks.

Professional domain appraisal is a mandatory step when working with domains on the secondary market. The assessment is based on market demand, traffic, age, as well as previous transactions with similar domains. For example, domains with an existing audience and SEO authority often cost more than new, albeit short, names.

Who needs such domains?

Among the owners .ae domains can meet a wide range of users: from trending coffee shops and yoga instructors to international corporations, representatives of the cryptocurrency business, government agencies and educational organizations. The scope of application ranges from furniture to telemedicine. A distinctive feature of the region is its fascination with rare attributes: short mobile numbers, unique car numbers, NFTs, and now domain names.

For new startups, the domain name plays a crucial role in the startup process. It can be perceived as a strategic element of the brand. In European countries, ccTLDs have traditionally been more trusted than international domains. The situation is different in the USA, but in the UAE and the Gulf countries, national domain binding is an important factor.

The prospects of the zone .qa

The Qatar zone .qa has not yet reached the same scale as .ae, but it has demonstrated steady growth. Since 2011, 21,601 domains have been registered, according to the Qatar Domains Registry. Plans to launch a domain .Doha, as an urban subdomain, indicates a desire to expand its online presence and strengthen its local identity.

Domain registration in the zone .QA is available for both commercial companies and government and non-profit organizations. There are closed areas such as .gov.qa , .mil.qa and .edu.qa , as well as public — .qa, .com.qa, .net.qa. The main advantage is the emphasis on regional affiliation, which is especially important for local businesses seeking to stand out in search results and online catalogs.

Although the secondary domain market in Qatar has not yet reached high volumes, as in the Emirates, the emergence of interest in unique names, as well as an increase in the number of registrations, indicates emerging demand. The state regulator actively promotes domains as an important element of digital infrastructure. It is expected that the growing number of accredited registrars will boost interest in the aftermarket market in this area as well.

Risks and recommendations

Before buying a domain, it is important to consider legal aspects: possible conflicts with trademarks, terms of use, domain history, possible blocking or sanctions. Transparent registration, the use of reputable platforms and consultations with lawyers are mandatory measures.

It is also necessary to plan the budget in advance and be ready for negotiations. In aftermarket transactions, the buyer and seller can discuss the price, terms of transfer, and forms of payment. This format provides more flexibility than an auction, but requires good preparation and knowledge of the market.