Why Domains Expire
Non-Renewal: The most common reason is that the domain owner forgot to renew it or chose not to renew it.
Project Completion: Sometimes, the project associated with the domain is completed, and the owner no longer needs it.
Financial Reasons: The cost of renewal might be too high, or the owner might not see enough value in keeping the domain.
Stages of an expired domain
Grace Period Duration: Typically 0-30 days after the domain’s expiration date. During this period, the domain owner can renew the domain at the regular renewal cost without any additional fees. The website associated with the domain may still be accessible, but email and other services might be disrupted.
Redemption Period Duration: Usually lasts 30-40 days after the grace period ends. The domain enters the redemption period if it’s not renewed during the grace period. During this time, the original owner can still renew the domain, but it typically involves paying a redemption fee, which is higher than the standard renewal fee. This period provides the owner with a last chance to reclaim their domain before it’s released to the public.
Pending Delete Duration: Typically lasts 5 days after the redemption period ends. The domain is scheduled for deletion during this stage. It cannot be renewed or reclaimed by the original owner. After the pending delete period, the domain is fully deleted and becomes available for registration by anyone.
Domain Availability Drop Time: The exact time when the domain becomes available for public registration can vary. Some registrars have specific drop times, and it’s common for high-demand domains to be snapped up quickly.
Backordering Services: Services like GoDaddy Backorder, NameJet, or SnapNames allow users to place backorders on domains they’re interested in. These services try to register the domain on your behalf as soon as it becomes available.
Secondary Market: Expired domains can also be auctioned off in the secondary market during or after the redemption period, often through platforms like GoDaddy Auctions or Sedo.
Where finding expired domains
By carefully selecting and evaluating expired domains, you can enhance your online presence, boost SEO efforts, and potentially acquire valuable web assets.
There are many websites where you can find expired domains:
Expired Domain Marketplaces
ExpiredDomains.net: A comprehensive database that lists expired domains. You can filter by TLD, domain length, keywords, and more.
JustDropped.com: Lists recently expired domains that are available for registration.
Auction Sites
GoDaddy Auctions: One of the largest platforms for domain auctions. You can find expired domains and bid on them.
NameJet: A popular domain auction site that lists high-quality expired domains.
Flippa: A marketplace for buying and selling websites and domains, including expired domains.
Domain Brokers
SEDO: Offers a domain brokerage service where you can find and purchase expired domains.
DomainAgents: A platform that connects buyers with domain owners, including those with expired domains.
How to evaluate an expired domain
As any other domain you could buy, before to spend money you have to estimate the value of a domain name. Consider the following points:
Check Backlink Profile: Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to analyze the backlink profile of the expired domain. Look for high-quality, relevant backlinks.
Review Domain History: Use Wayback Machine (archive.org) to see how the domain was used in the past. Ensure it wasn’t associated with spammy or irrelevant content.
Whois Lookup: Check the domain’s registration history using a Whois lookup service to ensure it wasn’t frequently dropped or used for spam.
Assess Domain Authority (DA): Use Moz to check the Domain Authority of the expired domain. A higher DA can indicate a stronger backlink profile and better SEO potential.
Keyword Relevance: Ensure the domain name is relevant to your niche or industry. This helps with branding and SEO.
Traffic and Rankings: Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to check if the domain has existing traffic or if any of its pages still rank in search results.
SEO Benefits: Expired domains often retain their backlinks and SEO value, making them attractive for SEO purposes.
Brandability: Some expired domains may have been associated with well-known brands, making them valuable for new projects.
Brandability: Some expired domains may have been associated with well-known brands, making them valuable for new projects.
Tips for purchasing Expired Domains
Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on an expired domain.
Avoid Spammy Domains: Be cautious of domains with a history of spamming or black-hat SEO practices.
Negotiate: If you’re participating in an auction, be prepared to negotiate the price.