There are only so many ways to find great domain names, right? Expired domain names present a golden opportunity for domain name investors. Every day, thousands of domain names are not renewed and return to the market, where savvy domain name holders can snap them up. These expired domains may have built-in SEO value, strong branding, or residual traffic, making them a valuable asset to resell or develop into a profitable website. However, not all expired domains are created equal. Knowing how to identify quality expired domains is key to separating successful domain name holders from struggling ones.
Before you start looking for expired domains, it is crucial to understand the value of expired domains. Not every expired domain is worth buying, so it is crucial to understand the key factors that influence domain quality.
Discovering quality expired domains requires using the right tools and platforms. There are several resources that can help streamline the process, allowing you to filter out low-quality domains and focus on quality domains.
1. Expired Domain Marketplace
Expired domain marketplaces are platforms where expired domain names are listed or auctioned off. Some popular platforms include:
§ GoDaddy Auctions: One of the largest platforms for buying expired domains. GoDaddy Auctions lists recently expired domains that are now available for bidding or immediate purchase. It offers a variety of filters to search by domain age, traffic, backlinks, and more.
§NameJet: A domain auction platform that specializes in expired and deleted domains. NameJet is known for listing premium domains, often before they are available on other platforms.
§DropCatch: This service is designed to capture expired domains as soon as they are released by registrars. DropCatch has a powerful system that helps users grab valuable domains as soon as they expire.
2. Domain Expiration Monitoring Tools
Using monitoring tools, you can track domains that are about to expire, allowing you to get ahead of the curve before the domains are widely used. Some of the best tools include:
§ExpiredDomains.net: A free tool that provides a large database of expired domains. ExpiredDomains.net allows you to filter domains based on various criteria, such as domain age, backlinks, keyword presence, and more.
§FreshDrop: FreshDrop offers powerful filters and features to help investors find domain names by SEO metrics such as backlinks, PageRank, and keyword relevance.
§Domain Hunter Gatherer: This tool is a comprehensive solution for finding expired domains with strong SEO metrics. It allows users to search for domains with high traffic, many backlinks, and high authority.
3. Backorder service
If you have your eye on a domain that is about to expire, a reservation service can help you reserve it while it is available. These services automatically bid or try to grab the domain when it expires. Some of the best reservation services include:
§SnapNames: As a leader in the domain reservation field, SnapNames is known for its success rate in securing valuable expired domains.
§Pool.com: Another popular domain reservation service company that specializes in reserving high-quality expired domains.
4. Tips for acquiring high-quality expired domains
Finding expired domains is just the first step. Acquiring them requires a combination of strategy, research, and timing. Here are some practical tips to help you increase your chances of discovering high-quality expired domains and successfully acquiring them.
1. Research before bidding
Before bidding on an expired domain, conduct thorough research to assess its true value. Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to check the domain's backlink profile, traffic, and historical data. Don't rely solely on metrics like domain authority or traffic estimates - make sure the backlinks are natural and relevant to your target market.
2. Use niche keywords
When searching for expired domains, focus on the niche in which you specialize. Domains that contain keywords related to a specific niche are more likely to attract interest from businesses and bloggers who want to rank higher in that field. Niche domains also tend to have less competition, making it easier to acquire valuable assets at a lower price.
3. Avoid trademarked names
One of the biggest mistakes new domain owners make is purchasing expired domains that infringe on existing trademarks. Domains that contain trademarked terms can lead to legal issues. Be sure to perform a trademark search using tools like USPTO.gov (for U.S. trademarks) or TMview (for global trademarks) to ensure you are not violating intellectual property laws.
4. Look for domains with existing content or traffic
Domains with existing content or residual traffic have a head start in SEO and profitability. Even if the content is outdated, having indexed pages and inbound traffic can provide a solid foundation for redevelopment. You can use the Wayback Machine to view the history of a domain's content and assess whether it's worth redeveloping.
5. Monitor expired domains regularly
The expired domain market is changing rapidly. By regularly monitoring domain expiration dates and auctions, you can increase your chances of discovering hidden treasures. Set up alerts on tools like ExpiredDomains.net or GoDaddy Auctions to be notified when an expired domain that meets your criteria comes up.
Domaincn.com Committed to providing fair and transparent reports. This article aims to provide accurate and timely information, but should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Due to the rapidly changing market conditions, we recommend that you verify the information yourself and consult a professional before making any decisions based on this information.