Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » expired domain

Picking up Expired Domains – Not Always Fun, but There’s a Way

Art — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:52:08 +0000

The number of domain names that are available is, if not technically infinite, effectively so. This is one of the many reasons why few people go through the irritating process of trying to re-register expired domains. Even if you were the person who originally owned the domain and you have a significant amount of branding on it, changing domain names is common. You can usually get something close enough to your original name.

Nonetheless there will always be someone that will really want to try to pick up that expired domain. Maybe it’s their family name. Maybe it’s the company name that goes back 100 years. Whatever the reason, these customers will always be there. If you’re one of them, then as long as you’re going to do this, you might as well know how to do it right.

“Expired” doesn’t exactly mean Expired

The first thing that you need to know is that there is a grace period that goes along with a domain name’s expiration date. How long this grace period lasts is determined by the domain’s registrar, and can even be different for different top-level domains. You will want to inquire with them specifically. During this grace period the original owner of the domain name, and only the original owner, can re-register it at normal rates.

Once this period ends then there is usually a “redemption period”. This amounts to about the same thing, except that the original owner must now pay a higher fee. Again, though, no one else can touch it during this phase.

Even then there’s more

If the redemption period lapses, then one of two things happen. First, the registrar can immediately open the domain name up for re-registration by anyone. It is best if this does not happen. Why?

Because the world wide web is packed with digital vultures ready to pounce on an available domain seconds after it re-enters the marketplace. You will have virtually no chance of keeping up with these outfits. Once they register them, then you’ll be looking at some exorbitant fee to make it yours.

This isn’t to say that if your domain goes on auction that you’ll be able to get it automatically, however, you will have a fighting chance. Domain name harvesters are looking for profit, and profit is all but guaranteed if they can snatch up a domain name for a few bucks. The higher the price goes, the less it’s worth, from an investment perspective, for them. They’re making a bet, after all. They don’t know for certain that anyone will want it.

Is it all worth it?

If you’re ready to deal with this hassle, then simply keep an eye on the registrar. Find out from them whether or not the domain is going to go up for auction. Then do like any good auction attendee: show up, and play it smart. Remember what we said: there are nearly an infinite number of many domains. Before shelling out a few hundred, or even thousands of dollars for your dream name, ask yourself whether you can get by with an alternative. Quite a lot of web sites have discovered that they can.

What is the Google Sandbox?

Art — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:10:23 +0000

The Google Sandbox (also known as aging delay) is the theory that new website rankings are temporarily reduced placing them into what is known as the sandbox. Release of these websites out of the sandbox can take days, weeks, or even months; placing various new websites at an extreme disadvantage to the competition.

Why does this occur?

One of the primary reasons for new sites into the sandbox is due to blackhat practices. These include creating duplicate content, keyword stuffing and bulk purchasing of links. All of which optimize a website, but do not create a targeted search.

The result of these fake sites falling within page one or two page rank is an overall decline in the quality of search engine results. Consequently Google potentially places a restriction to weed these sites out and remain organized so users can find the exact information they’re searching for.

Limiting the Sandbox Effect

As a new webmaster, it can be detrimental to business to immediately be placed in the Google Sandbox. Luckily there are a few methods that can help for a decent page ranking. These techniques include:

Buying expired domains
Proper planning
Don’t concentrate on popular keywords
Create quality content that relates to the website

Buy expired domains

If you purchase an old or expired domain, Google will be less likely to place it in the sandbox since it has been used before. This can be a huge advantage when conducting business in a niche area as the need to be the first to market is tremendously important.

Proper planning

Publishing a few pages at a time as opposed to the whole site at once can be advantageous. Google will see these and slowly begin to index them. As time passes and the website reaches completion, there will already be many pages indexed.

Don’t concentrate on popular keywords

Although the site will be indexed, it’s unlikely to be in the first couple of pages by utilizing popular keywords. Consequently, utilizing less-popular keywords will result in the website ranking in the first few pages due to less competition.

Create quality content and gather good links

High-quality, new, relevant content combined with good links from reputable sources will significantly help with page rank. By gradually building links, the site could consistently rank at the top after a period of time. Links from .gov, .mil and .edu do not get filtered by Google and are excellent sources.

Although Google Sandbox can hinder a new business, it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of other search engines available while time passes to index a website at Google. With time, patience and good search engine optimization methods, your website could be at the top of the list in no time.

How to Obtain a Memorable Domain Name

Art — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:31:54 +0000

As each day passes, it becomes more difficult to obtain a popular domain name. Studies have shown that over 20 thousand domain names are registered on a daily basis. With all of these domain names being taken, a memorable domain name is very hard to obtain. Gone are the days of obtaining main-keyword domain names such as “Domain.com” or “Keyword.com”. Simple domains like this are nearly impossible to obtain, unless of course you are willing and able to spend exuberant amounts of money. However, there are ways one can obtain a memorable domain name without lots of cash.

Obtaining a Popular Domain With Little Funds

One way you can acquire a professional domain name is by searching the database of infinite expired domain names. Many times there are domains that have expired that would suit your keyword perfectly. Everyday new domain names expire that can potentially represent authoritative websites in your desired niche. Buying expired domain are not only more cost efficient, but it gives you the opportunity to gather a group of visitors that may have previously visit the expired domain. In some cases you may find yourself on the fortunate side of anothers misfortune. Domain names expire when the webmaster is unable to pay the renewal fees. Sometimes a domain owner may fall victim to an accident, or may simply be unable to maintain their website, leaving you to pick up where they’ve left off.

Where to Find Expired Domain Names

Finding the right expired domain is a task that requires plenty of diligence and searching. Settling for the first domain name that is available is not necessarily the best route. However, it may be advisable to rack up on as many domain names as possible, giving your business more visibility. If you are searching for that one domain name that is going to give your site the reputability you’re seeking, then you may need to enlist the help of an auction sniping software. Since domain names are sold at auction most of the time, it can be hard to squeeze in the last bid, thereby securing your chances of obtaining the perfect domain name for your online business.

Domain Name Sniping

However with auction sniping software, you can set a maximum amount of money that you would like to bid, and the software will automatically bid for you in set increments of time and money. For example, you can place the maximum bid of $500, and the software will automatically place bids in increments of $10 every 30 minutes, or to the specifications you desire. In fact there are also sniping softwares that are made especially for domain name sniping, that will notify you when the best domain names are available as soon as they expire, based on your keyword preferences.

Acquiring the Domain You Want Through Back-Ordering

Art — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:10:53 +0000

Commonly, domain names are registered on a first come, first served basis. Thus, whoever is able to identify an unregistered name first can visit a registrar, pay the required registration fee, and acquire the name for themselves. Once you register it, the domain is no longer available to anyone. However, it can be placed back on the market should you not pay the annual renewal fee or decide to sell it to someone else. While good domain names are certainly hard to come by these days, there are other ways you can obtain them, including the back-ordering route.

Common Back-Ordering Options

There are essentially three ways you can take advantage of back-ordered domains.

1.) You can pay close attention the status of the domain you want and register the name when it goes back on the market. This is a manual process that requires a lot of patience and plain old luck to be successful.

2.) You can utilize a software application such as the Expired Domain Express program to automate the process for you. This type of software will automatically monitor the status of the desired domain and also register it as soon as it becomes available.

3.) The last option you have is to sign up with a back-order service. This approach calls for you to pay a third-party company to monitor the domain and register it on your behalf as soon as it becomes available.

Essential Factors to Keep in Mind

A large majority of people looking to obtain a domain name through the back-ordering process rely on the third option, which is signing up with a service provider. The advantage here is that the company usually has more reliable resources available than you have access to yourself, thus increasing your probability of acquiring the domain. While there are numerous benefits, you should also beware of three important factors before investing in a back-ordering service.

1.) Regardless of what the firm might tell you, no back-ordering service can guarantee the domain name you want. You may then ask, what happens to the money you paid? Unless you have inquired within the service provider before signing up, you may not know at all. The good thing is that most firms allow you to apply those fees to other domain related purchases, but it is still a good idea to find out.

2.) Domain name back-ordering services are infamous for inflating prices. For example, if two people desire the same domain, the company might set up an auction for them to bid on the name. Therefore, you want to make sure you know what to expect before entering into an agreement with a service provider.

3.) Lastly, it is worth mentioning that one of the best ways to acquire the domain name you want is to combine a few of the approaches mentioned above. For instance, you can sign up for a back-ordering service and purchase a software solution while manually monitoring the status of the name yourself. If you have the budget to work with, this combined approach will help you maximize the possibility of finally landing the domain name you have been after.

Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » expired domain

Picking up Expired Domains – Not Always Fun, but There’s a Way

Related posts:

What is the Google Sandbox?

Related posts:

How to Obtain a Memorable Domain Name

Related posts:

Acquiring the Domain You Want Through Back-Ordering

Related posts: