Domain Due Diligence 101: How I Value Aged Domains For Maximum SEO Impact
Aged domains, often expired domains, can be a goldmine for SEO and traffic purposes.
by Patrick Babakhanian
How to create a content plan
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What is a content plan and why it is so important?
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What are the best tools to create content plans easily?
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3 tips to create a content plan that drives engagement and growth
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Identify the content that is performing best, and stick with it
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However, determining their value before purchasing is crucial to ensure you make a wise investment.
1. Understanding the Power of Expired Domains: They can give you a head start in search rankings and traffic.
Here are three ways you can leverage them:
a. Building on Existing SEO Value: Instead of starting from scratch, you can buy an expired domain with a significant number of backlinks and traffic. This gives you an edge in search engine rankings.
b. Creating a Private Blog Network (PBN): A PBN allows you to control your most potent links. By using expired domains, you can build a robust PBN to rank any site you want.
c. 301 Redirects: This is a more laid-back approach. By purchasing an expired domain and setting up a 301 redirect to your existing site, you can transfer some of the domain's SEO value and traffic.
2. Tool to Find Expired Domains:Domainchamp is a recommended tool to find powerful expired domains in auctions. It scans thousands of domain auctions daily, and pick the best ones for you based on SEO & Appraisal Value. Use the free version to find a valuable domain within seconds.
3. Don't Just Focus on SEO Metrics: While SEO metrics like backlinks, Domain Rating, Trust Flow, and Citation Flow are essential, it's also crucial to consider the traffic a domain receives. An environment with significant traffic can be a valuable asset, even if its other metrics could be more impressive.
4. Rebuilding Expired Websites: Once you've acquired an expired domain, you should rebuild its old website. Tools like Dom Recovery can help you recover a site from Archive.org snapshots, allowing you to restore the area quickly.
Aged domains, often referred to as expired domains, can offer significant advantages, especially in terms of SEO.
However, not all aged domains are of equal value. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you determine the worth of an aged domain:
Check the Domain's Age: Search engines often perceive older domains as more trustworthy. You can use tools like the WHOIS database to determine when a domain was first registered.
Review Backlink Profile: A strong backlink profile can significantly boost a domain's value. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz's Link Explorer to analyze the number and quality of backlinks. Look for domains with backlinks from reputable, high-authority sites.
Analyze Traffic History: If the domain used to receivegood organic traffic, it can be a valuable asset. Although, it's not a must. Tools like SEMrush or SimilarWeb can provide insights into the domain's traffic history.
Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA): These metrics, developed by Moz, indicate how well a domain might perform in search engine rankings. A higher DA or PA score generally indicates a more valuable domain.
Check for Google Penalties: Ensure Google hasn't penalized the domain. A penalized environment can be challenging to recover and may not be worth the investment. Look at the traffic history, and see if there were massive declines before the domain expired.
Review Content History: Use the Wayback Machine to view archived versions of the domain's content. This will give you an idea of the quality and relevance of past content, which can impact the domain's value.
Domain Name Relevance: A domain name that is short, memorable, and relevant to a particular niche or industry can be more valuable than a generic or long-winded name.
TLD (Top-Level Domain) Value: Domains with .com, .net, or .org extensions are generally more valuable than others, though this can vary based on region and industry.
Check for Trademarks: Ensure the domain name isn't trademarked. Owning a domain that infringes on a trademark can lead to legal issues.
Monetization Potential: Consider how easy it would be to monetize the domain. It might have a higher value if it's relevant to a profitable niche or industry.
Demand in the Market: Check domain marketplaces to see if there's demand for similar domain names. Higher demand can indicate a more valuable domain.
Historic Sales Data: Websites like NameBio provide data on past domain sales, which can give you an idea of what similar domains have sold for. This is ideal for premium one or two-word domains.
Conclusion: Valuing an aged domain requires a comprehensive analysis of various factors. Conduct thorough research and consult with domain experts or brokers to ensure you're making an informed decision. If you'd like to skip this whole process, then check out our marketplace here.
Patrick Babakhanian
Patrick Babakhanian has over 10 years of experience in SEO, specializing in boosting website growth organically and creating efficient SEO systems. His work and insights have been featured on well-known sites like Social Media Today, Business Insider, Lion Zeal SEO, and Neil Patel.