Why escrow matters
A domain is a high-value, one-of-a-kind asset, so you should never wire money directly to a stranger. Escrow holds your payment with a neutral third party and only releases it to the seller once the domain has transferred to your account. It protects both sides against fraud and non-delivery.
How the escrow flow works
You send funds to the escrow service, the seller is notified and transfers the domain, you confirm receipt at your registrar, and the escrow releases the funds. If anything goes wrong, the escrow mediates and refunds you. Marketplaces like Afternic, Atom, and Spaceship build this in by default.
Watch for red flags
Be cautious of sellers who insist on direct wire transfer, pressure you to skip escrow, or use a registrar you've never heard of. Verify the seller's identity and the domain's ownership via WHOIS before paying. If a deal feels rushed, slow down.
Protecting your new asset
Once you own the domain, enable two-factor authentication on your registrar, turn on domain lock, and set auto-renew. Registrar account takeover is the most common way people lose domains they already own.