Aged Domains

Aged Domains: The Benefits of Using Expired Domain Names for SEO

If you want to start a website or improve your existing one, you may have encountered the term “aged domains”.

You have also likely seen this mentioned many times on my Youtube channel, as I was sponsored by ODYS for a number of years, and they are one of the leading marketplaces when it comes to Aged Domains.

An aged domain is a domain name that has been registered for a long time and has been used for a website in the past. These domains can be valuable for a number of reasons, including their age, backlinks, and search engine ranking.

One of the main advantages of using an aged domain is that it can give your website a head start regarding search engine ranking. Search engines like Google tend to favour older domains over newer ones, as they are seen as more established and trustworthy. It makes perfect sense for them to promote something that has an established history and backlink profile over a brand-new domain that doesn’t have any of those backlinks. It’s always about giving yourself a head start when you enter this space. You are already behind the competition, so anything you can do to bridge that gap is going to be useful.

Aged domains may also have accumulated backlinks over time, which can further boost their ranking and authority. I mean take full advantage of the history of someone else’s aged domain and the backlink profile, rather than starting from scratch if you possibly can, of course, there are exceptions to the rule, in particular if you are building out a brand new brand.

However, it’s important to note that not all aged domains are created equal. Some may have been used for spammy or low-quality websites in the past, which can actually harm your website’s ranking. It’s important to do your research and choose an aged domain that is relevant to your niche and has a good reputation.

What are Aged Domains?

An aged domain is a domain name with a history of being used for a live website, typically for a period of several years. These domains have been registered and used in the past, but for different reasons, they have become available for purchase again. An aged domain is typically a domain that had its domain registration expire and was bought at auction by a new owner who intends to rebuild the site.

One of the main benefits of using an aged domain is that it already has a history and reputation with search engines. This means that it may have backlinks and authority that can help boost the rankings of the new website built on the domain. It can take a long time to build up a new domain’s authority and get it to rank well in search engines, but using an aged domain can give a new website a head start.

There are different types of aged domains, including expired domains and non-dropped domains. Expired domains are domains whose registration has expired and have become available for purchase again. Non-dropped domains, on the other hand, are domains that have changed owners instead of being re-registered. Both types of aged domains can be beneficial for building niche sites. And there are many successful people who are building niche sites on aged domains on a regular basis, building up some decent revenue along the way.

Why are Aged Domains Important?

Aged domains are important for a variety of reasons. Here are a few:

  • Established Authority: Aged domains have already built up authority and trust with search engines. This means that they are more likely to rank higher in search results and attract more traffic.
  • Backlinks: Aged domains often have a large number of backlinks pointing to them. Backlinks are important for SEO because they signal to search engines that other websites consider the content on the aged domain to be valuable and relevant.
  • Existing Content: Aged domains may already have content that is indexed by search engines. This means that they can provide a head start in terms of SEO, as new content can be added to the existing content and benefit from the established authority of the aged domain.

It’s important to note that not all aged domains are created equal. Some aged domains may have been penalized by search engines in the past, which can negatively impact their SEO potential. It’s important to do your due diligence and research the history of any aged domain before purchasing it.

Overall, aged domains can be a valuable asset for those looking to establish a strong online presence and improve their search engine rankings. By leveraging the established authority, backlinks, and existing content of an aged domain, website owners can give themselves a head start in the competitive world of SEO.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Aged Domain

Choosing an aged domain can give your website a head start in terms of SEO and ranking. However, not all aged domains are created equal. Here are some factors to consider before making a purchase:

  • Domain Authority: Aged domains typically have a higher domain authority than new websites. Make sure to check the domain authority of the aged domain you’re considering to ensure it’s worth the investment.
  • Backlinks: Backlinks are an important factor in SEO. Check the backlink profile of the aged domain to ensure it has quality backlinks that will benefit your website.
  • Relevancy: Choose an aged domain that is relevant to your niche or industry. This will help with SEO and also make it easier to create content for your website.
  • History: Check the history of the aged domain to ensure it has not been penalized by search engines in the past. You can use tools like Wayback Machine to see the website’s history.
  • Brandability: Consider the brandability of the aged domain. Choose a domain name that is memorable and easy to spell to ensure it’s easy for customers to find your website.

Keep in mind that an aged domain may come with a higher price tag than a new domain. However, the benefits of an aged domain can outweigh the cost in the long run. Take the time to research and choose the right aged domain for your website to ensure success in your SEO efforts.

Where to Find Aged Domains?

If you’re interested in acquiring aged domains, there are several ways to find them. Here are some of the most popular methods:

  • Domain Marketplaces: Domain marketplaces like ODYS, GoDaddy Auctions, and NameJet offer a wide selection of aged domains for sale. These marketplaces allow you to search for domains based on various criteria, such as niche, age, and number of backlinks. You can often find aged domains with high-quality backlinks and good domain authority on these marketplaces.
  • Expired Domain Auctions: Expired domain auctions are another way to find aged domains. These auctions take place when a domain owner fails to renew their domain registration. The domain then goes through a grace period, during which the owner can still renew the domain. If the domain isn’t renewed, it goes up for auction. You can find expired domain auctions on sites like GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, and DropCatch.
  • Domain Brokers: Domain brokers are individuals or companies that specialize in buying and selling domains. They often have access to exclusive lists of aged domains that aren’t available on public marketplaces. However, working with a domain broker can be expensive, as they typically charge a commission on the sale price of the domain.

When searching for aged domains, it’s important to do your due diligence and research the domain’s history. Make sure the domain hasn’t been penalized by search engines, and check the domain’s backlink profile to ensure it’s of high quality. Additionally, be aware that some sellers may try to sell you a domain that has been artificially inflated with low-quality backlinks. Always verify the quality of the backlinks before purchasing an aged domain.

How to Evaluate the Quality of an Aged Domain?

When it comes to buying aged domains for SEO, it is important to evaluate the quality of the domain before making a purchase. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Backlink Profile: Evaluate the backlink profile of the domain. Look at the quality of sites linking back to the domain. Determine whether the domain has gone through any spammy link building practices in the past.
  • Domain Authority: Check the domain authority of the domain using tools like Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. A higher domain authority indicates a stronger domain.
  • Age of Domain: Consider the age of the domain. Older domains tend to have more authority and trust in the eyes of search engines.
  • Content: Check the content on the domain. Is it relevant to your niche? Is it high-quality and engaging? The content on the domain can affect its authority and trustworthiness.
  • Penalties: Check if the domain has any penalties or bans from search engines. This can negatively affect its SEO performance.

By evaluating these factors, you can determine whether an aged domain is a good investment for your SEO strategy. However, it is important to note that no domain is perfect and there may be some risks involved in purchasing an aged domain. Therefore, it is important to do your due diligence and thoroughly research any aged domain before making a purchase.

Tips for Purchasing Aged Domains

When it comes to purchasing aged domains, there are several important factors to consider. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Check the domain age: One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an aged domain is the domain’s age. You can check the domain’s age by using a Who.is lookup service or by checking the earliest recorded snapshot on archive.org.
  • Check the website history: It’s also important to check the website history of the domain you’re considering. Look for any red flags, such as spammy backlinks or a history of black hat SEO practices.
  • Check the backlinks: Spend time checking the backlinks of a potential domain with a tool like Ahrefs. Look for high-quality, relevant backlinks that will help boost your website’s SEO.
  • Ensure topical relevance: Google is well aware of people using aged domains as part of their SEO strategy. To avoid any issues, make sure that the aged domain you purchase is topically relevant to your website’s niche.
  • Consider the domain’s PageRank: PageRank is a metric developed by Google that measures the importance of a website. When purchasing an aged domain, consider the domain’s PageRank to ensure that it has a strong online presence.
  • Set a budget: Aged domains can vary greatly in price, so it’s important to set a budget before you start your search. Consider the value that the aged domain will bring to your website and set a budget accordingly.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that you purchase an aged domain that will benefit your website’s SEO and online presence.

Check out ODYS as one of the leading Aged Domain marketplaces out there, brandable and all quality checked so that you don’t have too.

 

author avatar
Craig Campbell
I am a Glasgow based SEO expert who has been doing SEO for 22 years. In this time I have gained extensive knowledge in the subject of SEO and have build up a wealth of experience in SEO and other digital marketing services.