Advanced SEO: A Guide to Buying and Using Expired Domains
How to Buy and Use Expired Domains for Search Engine Optimization
Buying expired domains is a common search engine optimization tactic. Yet, they have pitfalls. Use this guide to avoid issues when grabbing old domain names.
An expired domain is a website that, while once an active and registered domain, is now available for sale.
The old owner of the site may no longer use it, or they simply may have elected not to renew the domain.
Usually, it becomes available for sale about 30 days after the registration expiration date has passed. Over a 7-day auction period, you have the chance to become the new owner.
What do you need to keep in mind when buying expired domains? And why do people buy them in the first place?
Keep on reading this post to find out.
Why Buy Old Domains?
First, let’s take a look at why so many people buy expired domains.
When you become the new owner of dropped domains, all of the old site’s SEO value and ranking status transfers over to you. If other authoritative websites frequently linked to or shared the dropped domain’s content, that link juice will also transfer over to your new site.
This means you’ll have to do much less work when it comes to SEO. Even promotion in general. The hard work, in a sense, has already been done for you.
This is especially beneficial if you’re looking to buy a domain with a name that’s somewhat similar to your own website, or even used to advertise products/services that you also offer.
People also buy expired domains because they want to essentially use the expired domain as a “dummy site” to redirect traffic to their main website. It’s just one more way to get link juice.
Others choose to automatically redirect visitors to their main website through the expired domain — yet another tactic that boosts SEO value.
Of course, there are many that choose to make a business out of buying and selling expired domains for a profit.
What to Look for When Shopping for Expired Domains
If you want to buy expired domains for SEO, there are a few key tips you should keep in mind.
First, consider the age of the domain. In general, the older the domain, the more valuable it will be to your business. It has had more time to increase in SEO value.
Research a site’s backlinking profile. Examine its Google PageRank (PR) to ensure that it’s truly a good deal. You should also look at the history of the domain name. What it was previously used for? You don’t want to share an address with a once-unsavory site.
Finally, make sure that the site loads quickly. Slow loading speed can bring down the value of the domain and drive away your customers in the process.
Is Buying Expired Domains Right for You?
We hope this post has helped you to understand how buying expired domains can help you to improve your site’s SEO score.
Interested in registering your domain, finding the right hosting platform, or picking up more tips on how to make your website the best it can be?
We’ve got you covered.
Keep checking back with us and use our domain transfer and registration services to take your site to the next level.