Steps to Successfully Purchase an Expired Domain
Introduction
Buying an expired domain can be an excellent strategy for securing a valuable, established web address with potential SEO benefits. Expired domains may come with existing backlinks, traffic, and sometimes even brand recognition, giving you a head start when building your website. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to finding, evaluating, and purchasing an expired domain that’s available, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals.
Why Buy an Expired Domain?
Benefits of Using Expired Domains
Expired domains can offer several advantages, including established SEO authority, existing backlinks, and sometimes residual traffic. These factors can give your website a boost in visibility from the start. Expired domains may also include short, memorable names that are no longer available for new registration. If the domain aligns with your niche, you can leverage its established reputation to build a strong online presence quickly.
1. Understand the Domain Expiration Process
How Domains Expire and Become Available
When a domain’s owner fails to renew it, the domain goes through a grace period, typically lasting 30–45 days. After this period, the domain enters a redemption phase, during which the owner can still reclaim it
Types of Expired Domains
Expired domains fall into two main categories: “expiring domains,” which are in the process of being released, and “dropped domains,” which have already been deleted from the registry. Expiring domains are often sold at auction before they are officially released, while dropped domains are available for immediate registration. Knowing the difference helps you choose the best approach for acquiring the domain.
2. Use Expired Domain Marketplaces
Top Marketplaces for Expired Domains
Several online platforms specialize in expired domains, allowing you to search and bid on names that align with your brand. Popular expired domain marketplaces include:
- GoDaddy Auctions: One of the largest domain marketplaces, GoDaddy Auctions offers a wide selection of expiring domains with competitive bidding options.
- NameJet: A premium auction site for high-value expired domains, NameJet provides access to exclusive names that are often unavailable elsewhere.
- ExpiredDomains.net: A free platform that lists expired domains across multiple TLDs and provides filtering options based on age, backlinks, and SEO metrics.
These platforms offer various filters, such as TLD, length, and SEO metrics, allowing you to refine your search and find a domain that fits your needs.
3. Set Up Domain Backordering
How Backordering Works
Domain backordering is a service that lets you place a reservation on a domain as soon as it becomes available. When the domain expires, your registrar will attempt to register it on your behalf. Backordering is ideal for high-demand domains, as it increases your chances of acquiring the domain if others are interested.
Popular Backordering Services
Many registrars offer backordering services, including GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot. To use a backordering service, you’ll need to set up an account and place a request for the desired domain. Be aware that if multiple users backorder the same domain, it may go to auction, with the domain awarded to the highest bidder.
4. Evaluate the Domain’s Quality
Checking SEO Metrics and Backlinks
When buying an expired domain, it’s essential to evaluate its SEO value. Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to review the domain’s authority, backlink profile, and traffic. Look for domains with high-quality backlinks from reputable sites, as these can provide an SEO advantage. Avoid domains with a history of spammy links, as they may harm your site’s reputation.
Reviewing the Domain’s History
The Wayback Machine and DomainTools are valuable resources for reviewing a domain’s past content. A domain that was previously used for relevant, reputable content is more likely to benefit your brand than one associated with spammy or unrelated content. Make sure the domain aligns with your intended use, and avoid domains with a history of controversial or irrelevant material.
5. Monitor the Domain’s Expiration Status
Set Alerts for Expiring Domains
To keep track of a domain’s availability, set up alerts through a registrar or an expired domain platform like ExpiredDomains.net. These alerts notify you when a domain’s status changes, helping you act quickly if it becomes available. You can also monitor domains through a WHOIS lookup to see their expiration dates and status.
Participate in Expired Domain Auctions
For high-value domains, consider participating in an auction. Many platforms, like GoDaddy and NameJet, offer auctions for expiring domains that are likely to attract competitive bids. Set a budget before entering an auction, as popular domains can quickly escalate in price. Auctions provide an opportunity to secure premium names, but it’s essential to have a clear limit to avoid overpaying.
6. Register the Domain as Soon as It’s Available
Act Quickly for High-Demand Names
Once a domain becomes available for registration, it’s essential to act quickly to secure it. Use a reliable registrar, and be prepared to complete the registration process promptly, especially if the domain is in high demand. Some registrars allow you to pre-fill information to speed up the checkout process.
Consider Multi-Year Registration
When registering an expired domain, consider purchasing it for multiple years to avoid the hassle of annual renewals and reduce the risk of accidental expiration. Many registrars offer discounts for multi-year registrations, which can be cost-effective if you plan to keep the domain long-term. Multi-year registration also helps establish stability for SEO purposes.
7. Enable WHOIS Privacy and Security Features
Protect Your Personal Information
When registering an expired domain, consider enabling WHOIS privacy to protect your contact information from the public WHOIS database. WHOIS privacy shields your personal information, reducing the risk of spam or phishing attacks. Some registrars offer WHOIS privacy for free, while others charge a small fee.
Enable Domain Locking
Domain locking is a security feature that prevents unauthorized transfers of your domain. Enabling this feature helps protect your domain from potential hijacking or accidental transfer requests. Most registrars provide domain locking as a default option, but it’s wise to double-check that it’s activated after purchase.
8. Redirect Traffic and Leverage SEO Value
Redirect the Domain to Your Primary Website
If you’re purchasing an expired domain to boost SEO or capture residual traffic, consider setting up a 301 redirect to your main website. A 301 redirect transfers the SEO authority of the expired domain to your primary domain, helping to improve your site’s search engine ranking. Redirecting traffic can also capture users who previously visited the expired domain, increasing your site’s exposure.
Leverage Existing Backlinks
If the expired domain has quality backlinks, leverage these by linking relevant content on your primary site. Quality backlinks from the expired domain’s previous content can enhance your site’s authority and improve its search ranking. Ensure that the content you link to is relevant, as search engines prioritize contextually relevant links.
Conclusion
Buying an expired domain can be a valuable investment, offering SEO benefits, existing traffic, and a potentially memorable name for your brand. By understanding the expiration process, using expired domain marketplaces, evaluating domain quality, and acting quickly when the domain becomes available, you can secure a domain that aligns with your goals. Remember to protect your new asset with WHOIS privacy and redirect any traffic to your main site if applicable. With these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to purchase an expired domain and make it a powerful part of your online strategy.