A registered domain name that is operational but not connected to any particular website is known as a parked domain. Instead, when a person visits a parked domain, a "parked page" is shown. Most parked pages have a straightforward design and a list of links that pertain to the domain name. When consumers click on these links, the owner of the parked domain can get advertising money.

Parking a domain name is done for a variety of reasons. Some individuals buy domain names in the hopes of getting "type-in" traffic for well-known terms and expressions. The owners may get regular income from the clicks on the links or advertisements if enough people often visit the parked sites. Domainers, often known as "cybersquatters," register a lot of domain names as investments with the intention of selling them to potential purchasers in the future. There may be adverts on the parked pages for these domains, but there is also a contact link that site visitors may utilize to submit a bid for the domain name.

When a domain name has been registered but the owner has not yet launched a website, many web servers automatically show parked pages. These pages may also include adverts and often mention that the website is under development or will be available shortly. Instead of the domain name owner, the hosting firm makes money from the advertising links on these temporarily parked sites.

A webmaster may sometimes register domain names that are identical to their main domain name to stop rivals from using them. These domain names often have parked sites as their default page. Also, the webmaster has the option of forwarding the domains to the main website. The domains cease to be parked domains and become "forwarders," sending visitors to a new URL, if they are redirected.