When you sell a website (or domain) using Escrow.com, Escrow.com isn’t “logging into your hosting and checking everything” by default. Instead, they use a structured process built around (1) buyer confirmation, (2) an inspection period, and (3) evidence/verification if something is unclear.
Below is the practical, seller-friendly breakdown.
The Core Idea: Escrow.com Releases Funds After Acceptance (or Timeout)
Escrow.com releases funds to the seller when the buyer accepts the delivery or after the inspection period expires (assuming no issues are raised). (Escrow.com)
So “how do they decide it’s transferred?” usually means:
- The buyer clicks Accept, saying “Yes, I received it and it’s correct.” (Escrow.com)
- Or the inspection period ends and Escrow.com may proceed to close/release under their rules (often with a notice step). (Escrow.com)
Step-by-Step: What Actually Happens in a Website Sale
Escrow.com’s website-sale flow (domain + content / website) generally looks like this:
1) Both parties agree to terms inside Escrow.com
This includes:
- what’s being sold (domain/website/assets)
- the price
- the inspection period length
2) Buyer pays Escrow.com first
Escrow.com verifies/securely holds the buyer’s payment before telling the seller to deliver. (Escrow.com)
3) Seller transfers the website and marks it as delivered
For “website transfer,” that usually means handing over control of things like:
- domain registrar access (or transferring/pushing domain)
- hosting account or server access
- website files + database
- CMS admin (WordPress admin, etc.)
- any agreed add-ons (email list, social accounts, brand assets), if included in the deal
Escrow.com’s own “buy/sell a website” page describes the key point as: the seller transfers the website and indicates to Escrow.com that the transfer is done. (Escrow.com)
4) Buyer inspection period starts
The inspection period is the agreed time window for the buyer to review what they received and either Accept or Reject. (Escrow.com)
5) Buyer accepts → Escrow.com releases funds
Once the buyer clicks Accept, the inspection period ends and Escrow.com releases the funds. (Escrow.com)
So… Does Escrow.com “Verify” a Website Transfer?
For websites: Escrow.com mostly relies on buyer confirmation
In standard website escrow, Escrow.com typically doesn’t have a universal technical way to verify every part of a website handover (because websites can be hosted anywhere, built many ways, and involve multiple asset types).
That’s why the system is centered on:
- the buyer’s inspection and acceptance, and
- the ability to reject if something is missing or wrong. (Escrow.com)
If the buyer does nothing
If the buyer doesn’t click Accept or Reject, Escrow.com’s inspection-period rules explain that Escrow.com may send a 24-hour notice at the end of the inspection period, giving the buyer extra time to report issues before funds are released. (Escrow.com)
Also, Escrow.com states that if the buyer forgets to accept/decline, they can release funds at the end of the inspection period as long as Escrow.com can verify the buyer received the merchandise. (Escrow.com)
Domains vs Websites: Domains Are Easier to Verify Than “Websites”
Domains (often verifiable)
For domains, ownership changes leave clearer signals (registrar account push, WHOIS/registrar change, etc.). Escrow.com describes domain escrow as: buyer pays → domain transfers → buyer confirms ownership, which can be verified. (Escrow.com)
Websites (less standardized)
A website transfer can include many moving parts—hosting, files, databases, logins, third-party tools—so buyer confirmation during inspection is the normal “proof.”
What Happens If There’s a Dispute?
If the buyer rejects during the inspection period, the transaction enters a rejection/return style flow (Escrow.com outlines this generally, even though “returning” a digital asset is handled differently in practice). (Escrow.com)
In real website sales, disputes usually come down to:
- whether the seller delivered everything listed in the agreement
- whether access/ownership/control was actually handed over
- whether the buyer’s claims fit the agreement
Where Concierge Fits In (And Why It Changes Verification)
Concierge = Escrow.com handles the domain transfer
Escrow.com’s Domain Concierge Service is specifically about domains: Escrow.com holds the domain in their registrar account and ensures safe delivery. (Escrow.com)
Escrow.com explains it like this (in essence):
- Seller transfers domain to Escrow.com’s holding account
- Once Escrow.com receives it, Escrow.com transfers it to the buyer and disburses funds (Escrow.com)
Why this matters: With Concierge, Escrow.com can personally confirm the domain moved into their control and then out to the buyer—so there’s less ambiguity about “did the seller really transfer it?”
Important: Concierge primarily solves the domain transfer side. A “full website” sale can still include hosting/files/etc. that Concierge doesn’t magically migrate unless you structure the deal that way.
Practical Seller Tips: Make “Transfer Proof” Easy
If you’re selling websites (especially bundles), you’ll reduce delays/disputes if you:
- Write a clear asset checklist in the escrow description
- Domain(s)
- Hosting
- WordPress admin
- Databases
- Email accounts (if included)
- Analytics/Search Console access
- Social handles (if included)
- Deliver using auditable steps
- “Invited buyer to hosting as owner/admin”
- “Transferred domain to buyer registrar account”
- “Shared WordPress admin + forced password reset”
- Keep screenshots / confirmation emails
If something is questioned, you want clean evidence of handover. - Set an inspection period that matches complexity
A 1–2 day inspection is often too short for a full website; longer periods are common for complicated transfers. (Platforms that integrate with Escrow.com often advise setting an agreed inspection period like 5–7+ days for more complex sales.) (Flippa Help Centre)
Quick Summary
- Escrow.com usually “decides” a website is transferred when the buyer accepts during the inspection period. (Escrow.com)
- If the buyer stays silent, Escrow.com can still proceed after the inspection period under their process (often with a notice step). (Escrow.com)
- For domains, verification is more straightforward; for websites, it’s more about buyer inspection + clear delivery evidence. (Escrow.com)
- Concierge reduces uncertainty by having Escrow.com take possession of the domain and then transfer it to the buyer. (Escrow.com)