Guide to Using Expired Domains

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, domain names have become essential assets for businesses and individuals alike. However, not all domain names are created equal – some hold more value than others. Expired domains present a unique opportunity for savvy marketers and entrepreneurs. 

Not sure where to begin with expired domains? Curious about the benefits expired domains can provide to your brand, SEO, and marketing strategy? Learn the ins and outs of buying and safely using expired domains in the guide below. 

What are Expired Domains? 

Expired domains refer to domain names that have not been renewed by their previous owners and have become available for registration once again. This happens when a domain registration reaches its expiration date and is not renewed within the allotted grace period.

When a domain registration expires, it enters a grace period during which the original owner can still renew the domain. If the domain is not renewed during this time, it is considered “expired” and enters a more complex process:

• Pending Delete Period: After the grace period, the domain enters a “pending delete” period, where it is still not available for registration by the general public.
• Auction or Release: Depending on the registrar, the expired domain may go through an auction process or be directly released back to the registry, making it available for registration by anyone.

Registering an expired domain is different from registering a brand-new domain. The registration process and pricing can vary depending on the registrar and the specific domain. Factors such as the domain’s history, traffic, and potential value can all influence the cost and availability of an expired domain.

It’s important to note that the registration process for expired domains can be more complex and may involve additional steps compared to registering a new domain. Prospective buyers should research the specific requirements and procedures of their chosen registrar to ensure a smooth and successful registration.

How to Use Expired Domains

Expired domains can be a goldmine for savvy website owners and entrepreneurs. These domains come with a range of benefits, from boosting SEO to providing financial opportunities. 

Here’s how you can make the most of expired domains.

Acquire Domain Authority and Backlinks

One of the primary benefits of using expired domains is the ability to inherit the domain’s existing authority and backlink profile. Expired domains that previously had a strong online presence can provide a significant SEO boost to your new website. By acquiring a domain with high domain authority (DA) and quality backlinks, you can avoid the “sandbox” period that new domains often face and potentially see faster results in search engine rankings.

Target Relevant Keywords

Some expired domains may contain keywords that are relevant to your brand or industry. This can be advantageous for targeting specific search terms and niches. By purchasing an expired domain with a keyword-rich name, you can leverage that existing authority and relevance to improve your visibility in search results.

Redirect to Your Main Site

You can use a 301 redirect to channel the link equity and authority of an expired domain to your main website. This allows you to pass on the domain’s existing SEO value, including backlinks and rankings, to your primary online presence. However, you must be cautious when doing this, as the expired domain may have been penalized in the past, which could negatively impact your main site.

Build a Private Blog Network (PBN)

Expired domains can be used to create a private blog network (PBN) – a network of sites under your control that you can use to boost the SEO of your “money site” (your main website). By purchasing expired domains with strong backlink profiles and creating content on these sites, you can strategically link back to your primary website, potentially improving its search engine rankings.

Flip for Profit

Some people purchase expired domains with the intention of reselling them for a profit. This involves identifying valuable expired domains, improving their SEO value through link building and content creation, and then selling them to other businesses or individuals who can benefit from the domain’s established authority and visibility.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Expired Domains

Expired domains can be a powerful tool for boosting your online presence, but they also come with some risks. 

Let’s take a closer look at the potential pros and cons of using expired domains for your website.

Advantages of expired backlinks:

• Existing Backlink Profile: Expired domains often have an established backlink profile, which can provide a significant SEO boost to a new website. These existing backlinks can help the new site rank higher in search engine results.
• Avoiding the “Sandbox” Effect: New websites often face a “sandbox” period where search engines take time to evaluate and trust the site before allowing it to rank well. By acquiring an expired domain, you can bypass this sandbox effect and potentially see faster results in terms of search engine rankings and organic traffic.
• Relevant Keywords: Some expired domains may contain keywords that are relevant to your brand or industry. Which can be advantageous for targeting specific search terms and niches.
• Existing Traffic and Revenue: In some cases, expired domains may have had an established user base and revenue streams, which can be transferred to the new owner. This can provide a valuable head start in building a successful online presence.

Disadvantages of expired backlinks:

• Potential Penalties: If the previous owner of the expired domain engaged in spammy or unethical SEO practices, the domain may have been penalized by search engines. This penalty can carry over to the new owner, potentially harming the website’s search engine rankings.
• Low-Quality Backlinks: The backlink profile of an expired domain may be of poor quality, with links from low-authority or spammy websites. This can negatively impact the new website’s SEO efforts.
• Competition and Pricing: Valuable expired domains are in high demand, and the competition to acquire them can drive up prices. This makes them less accessible for some businesses or individuals.
• Technical Challenges: Properly redirecting an expired domain to a new website can be technically complex, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless transition.
• Google Scrutiny: Google may view the use of expired domains as a form of manipulation and potentially penalize the site.

To mitigate the risks and maximize the benefits of using expired domains, always conduct thorough research before making a purchase. Evaluate the domain’s history, backlink profile, and overall quality to ensure you acquire a high-quality expired domain that will benefit your SEO and marketing efforts.

Identifying a Good Expired Domain

When considering purchasing an expired domain, there are several important metrics to evaluate:

• Domain Authority (DA): Look for domains with a high DA. This indicates strong authority and relevance in the eyes of search engines. Tools like Moz and Ahrefs can provide DA scores.
• Backlink Profile: Analyze the domain’s backlink profile to ensure it has a substantial number of high-quality, relevant backlinks. Avoid domains with spammy or low-quality links.
• Referring Domains: The number of unique domains linking to the expired domain is another important factor. More referring domains generally indicates a stronger backlink profile.
• IP Popularity: Domains hosted on IP addresses with many other authoritative domains can be beneficial. Tools like IP Popularity can help assess this.
• Relevance: The domain should be relevant to your niche or industry to maximize its potential SEO value. Avoid generic or irrelevant domains.
• Clean History: Research the domain’s history to ensure it has not been penalized by search engines or associated with spammy practices in the past.

Where to Buy Expired Domains

There are several marketplaces and tools available to find and purchase expired domains:

• ODYS Global: A top-notch service for buying expired domains, offering a focus on quality and relevance. They provide comprehensive expiration date information, various auction methods, and niche-specific search options.
• GoDaddy Auctions: A large marketplace with many expired domains available. It regularly holds auctions and provides valuable information for each domain.

• Spamzilla: A comprehensive search tool for expired domains, offering various auction methods and reliable search services.
• Dropcatch: Specializes in finding deleted domains that are about to expire or have already expired, providing a list of available domains.
• ExpiredDomains.net: A comprehensive database of expired domains that can be filtered based on criteria like age, backlinks, and traffic. Users can search for domains meeting their specific requirements.

By thoroughly evaluating the metrics mentioned above and utilizing reputable marketplaces, you can identify high-quality expired domains that align with your SEO and marketing goals. However, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research and consult with experienced SEO professionals to navigate the potential risks and maximize the benefits of using expired domains.

How to Use Expired Domains Safely

When it comes to boosting your website’s SEO, utilizing expired domains can be a powerful strategy. But you have to approach it with care and do your homework. The good news is that Google doesn’t automatically penalize the use of expired domains. However, they may see it as a form of manipulation if the domain has a shady past. Your best bet is to focus on domains with a strong, natural backlink profile. Those are much less likely to raise any red flags.

One thing to be aware of is that a previous owner could try to reclaim an expired domain. Especially if it contains their trademark. Thoroughly research the domain’s history before buying. You don’t want to invest time and effort only to have the rug pulled out from under you.

Another important consideration is that redirecting multiple expired domains to your main site can be risky. Google tends to frown upon that kind of tactic. As it can come across as an attempt to artificially inflate your backlink profile. It’s generally better to stick to 1 or 2 high-quality expired domains at most.

When you’re evaluating a potential expired domain, look for some key metrics that indicate a strong, high-quality backlink profile. 

Look at metrics such as: 

• High Domain Authority and Page Authority. 
• Relevant and natural backlinks from authoritative, topically-related sites.
• Diverse mix of do-follow and no-follow links. 

Steer clear of anything with spammy, low-quality, or unnatural links.

At the end of the day, the key to safely using expired domains is doing your due diligence. Consult with experienced SEO professionals if you need to, and proceed cautiously to avoid any potential risks or penalties. If you follow best practices, you can leverage the power of expired domains to give your SEO a boost. Just make sure you’re doing it the right way.

Gretchen Oestreicher , 09 July 2024