Ultimate Guide To Make Money Through Expired Domains: A Beginners Guide Published: 03 Aug, 2023
Having a website and a domain name is really important to make your brand better known and to keep customers coming back. But if you've ever tried to improve how easily your website shows up on search engines when it's new, you probably know it's a very slow process.
Interestingly, 41% of the domain names that people buy end up not being used anymore because the owner doesn't renew them. Many of these unused domains still have connections to other websites and are seen as important by search engines. That's why there's a big market for buying and selling expired domain names – it's a kind of unusual and cool way to make extra money.
If you know how to do it right, you can buy these expired domain names for as little as $10 and then sell them later for a lot more money. This process is sometimes called "domain flipping." But here's the important part: you need to know what you're doing to succeed. To make this work, you have to be able to pick out the domain names that are the most valuable and have the best chance of being sold for more money. Here you need to pick a domain finder that solves this domain finding problem, yourdomainer.com is the most demanding Domain Finder Tool, not only it is a domain finder, you can also use other many useful tools such as Domain Generator, WHOIS DNS Lookup, WHOIS IP Lookup, Domain Location Finder and WHOIS Information.
Luckily, we're here to show you exactly how to do that. In this guide, we'll explain how to find these expired domain names, pick the right ones to buy, and use different ways to make money from them. Our goal is to help you make as much money as you can. Are you ready? Let's get started!
What is a Domain?
A domain is like the address of a website on the internet. Just as your home has a unique address that people use to find it, websites have domain names that people type in to reach them.
For example, think of a domain like "www.example.com". Here, "example.com" is the domain name. Another example is "www.amazon.com" - "amazon.com" is the domain name in this case. These domain names make it easy for you to visit specific websites by typing in their unique addresses.
Which Domain Extension is Right for your Business.
The ".com" domain extension is generally considered the most reputable and widely recognized. It's often the first choice for businesses, organizations, and individuals because it has a long history on the internet and is ingrained in people's minds as the default domain extension. When people think of a website, they often assume it ends in ".com". This extension is associated with credibility and professionalism.
Other domain extensions like ".org" (commonly used by non-profit organizations) and ".net" (originally intended for network-related websites) are also reputable, but they don't have the same universal recognition and familiarity as ".com".
However, it's important to note that the internet's landscape has evolved, and more domain extensions like ".io", ".ai", ".app", and others have gained popularity for specific types of websites. These newer extensions can be reputable within their respective niches, but for a general audience and widespread recognition, ".com" remains the gold standard.
What Happens When a Domain Expires?
When someone or a company chooses not to keep their domain, it becomes expired. Then, the website won't work, and other things connected to it stop working too. The people in charge of managing domains will eventually take it out of their records.
The way this works can differ based on the company that manages the domain and the type of domain ending (like .com or .org). But here's a simple explanation of how most domains expire:
- When someone gets a domain, they pick how many years they want it for, usually at least a year, and sometimes up to ten years.
- When the time is getting close for it to expire, the owner gets an email telling them it's time to renew it.
- If they don't do anything, the domain name expires. But there's about a month of extra time (called a grace period) for the owner to renew it.
- Once that extra time is over, the domain becomes available for anyone to buy.
Why Should I Buy an Expired Domain Name?
Getting an expired domain can bring you traffic right away, especially if the old owners did a good job with their SEO and links. As I'll explain more below, you can make money from these domains in different ways, and the more you do it, the more you can earn.
This is a great way to earn extra money alongside your regular job, and you don't need to spend a lot at the beginning. It's something you can do during your free time. Let's dive into the details and find out how you can make the most out of expired domains for profit.
How Much Do Expired Domains Cost?
The cost of expired domains can vary widely depending on factors like the domain's popularity, the quality of its backlinks, and its potential for resale. On average, you might find expired domains priced anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Some exceptionally valuable or sought-after domains can even go for thousands of dollars.
In most cases, you can buy an expired domain for about $10 to $30 per year. These domains are usually ones that people forgot about or don't want anymore. Surprisingly, they can be really valuable because not everyone knows their worth. If you're willing to spend more, you can find even better domains that can make you money, but you need to know what to search for.
I usually use YourDomainer or GoDaddy to buy my domains, but there are other places you can pick from as well. It's all about finding the right fit for you.
A big factor in pricing is the domain's extension. Common extensions like ".com" tend to be more expensive because they're widely recognized and trusted. Newer or less common extensions might be cheaper.
Additionally, domains with a history of good search engine ranking, strong backlinks, and relevant keywords can command higher prices due to their potential to attract traffic and boost SEO.
It's important to research and evaluate the domain's value before buying. Some marketplaces or domain auction websites allow you to bid on domains, so the final price can also depend on how much competition there is for a particular domain.
What is the Best Way to Find Expired Domains
There are several ways to find these kinds of domains:
Check with domain name registrars that have expired domains. They usually have a list of domains that are no longer used. This is a useful place to find lots of options. Some sites to try are:
You can also look for expired domains in directories and search engines:
- Browse through web directories like Yahoo! Directory or DMOZ
- Use any search engine to find expired domains
These websites run auctions for expired domains. You can bid on them and maybe get a good domain. Keep in mind that these auctions can be competitive. Before buying an expired domain, make sure to do some research. You can learn how to evaluate them in the next section.
How to Evaluate or Choose the Right Domain to Buy
Before you decide to buy an expired domain, there are some steps you should take to make money from it.
First, I check its history. I want to make sure the domain wasn't used for spam, adult content, or blocked by Google. When a website is new, Google takes time to understand it, and that's called the "sandbox." Expired domains help you skip this waiting time and get traffic quickly, but only if you do your research.
I use free tools like Whois Information Tool and The Internet Archive Wayback Machine to see how the site was used before.
I also check something called the "domain rating" (DR) using a tool like Ahrefs and MOZ. This tells me how much authority the domain has compared to other sites, how much traffic it gets, and the quality of that traffic.
But remember, lots of traffic doesn't mean it's safe. Google can tell if traffic is fake, and that's not good for your site.
GoDaddy has a tool to check how much the domain is worth. If you think it's too expensive, this tool can help you talk about a better price.
Also, look at the backlinks to the site. Good backlinks take time to build, and bad ones can hurt your site's chances of showing up in searches.
If you buy an expired domain with a high DR, you might sell it later for more money. Sellers might not know about the DR's importance to Google.
Now, let's think about the domain name itself:
- Is the name short and easy to remember?
- Does it have good keywords for SEO?
- Does it match your business if you're using it for SEO?
- Is it a .com?
- Checking these things can save you trouble later. Always do your research!
If everything looks good, you might have a great investment. Then, it's time to figure out how to make money from the site.
Focus on a Smaller Area
A really important part of finding valuable domains is sticking to a field you know well. This way, you'll understand which keywords are important to people who might want to buy the domain.
But if you're trying to buy a domain in an industry you don't understand, it's like being an outsider. You could make beginner mistakes and lose money.
Imagine you're buying domains related to technology because you heard the tech industry is growing. But if you don't know tech, you might get domains with extensions that aren't popular in tech (like .io is better than .biz).
Even worse, you might get domains with old keywords and miss the chance for newer tech words you've never heard of.
The field you pick could be linked to your job or hobbies. What matters is knowing what the audience wants. This helps you avoid losing money by making smart choices.
If you're unsure, you can use tools like Keyword Planner or Google Trends to see what words and phrases people are currently searching for. These tools are good for double-checking your ideas, even though they might not be perfect on their own.
Discover Domain Names that Bring Real Business Benefits
Once you've picked your niche, think like your potential customers. Ask yourself these questions:
- If you were in that industry and needed a domain, what kind of name or words would you want? Check out the domains of big companies in that field.
- How much money might these customers be making on average? If you're not sure, estimate it roughly (like finding out rents for different places if it's about real estate).
- What's trendy in that industry right now?
- Which domain names sound trustworthy and important? Some industries need clear names, while others can be more fun.
Then, see if there are any domains with the keywords or names you thought of. If the name you want is taken, don't worry – you might buy it from its current owners on special sites later.
But this could cost more than getting an expired domain, unless you're lucky. Can you target similar words or names instead?
SEO and Technical Factors
Knowing your niche and the worth of different domains is a good beginning. But that's not all you need to succeed. Even if a name seems perfect, you might get surprised if you find out it was left behind for a bad reason, like spamming or legal problems.
Now, let's talk about a few technical and SEO things you should think about before you buy.
Legal Considerations
If a website was involved in crimes like fraud or illegal activities, you should avoid it. Even if the site stopped doing bad things, its history can cause problems, even after it expires. This might bring risks to any future company that uses it.
To check a domain's history, put it into the Domain Archive to see how it used to look. Does everything seem okay?
Is the Domain Banned by Google?
If Google bans a domain, it can take more than ten years before it's allowed again. Google is tough about this rule. So, accidentally buying a banned, expired domain can be a big and costly mistake.
You can use bannedcheck.com to avoid this problem.
Check Age of Domain
Usually, older domains are worth more. You can check the registration date of a domain using WHOIS Information Tool (Domain Age Checker).
Quality of Backlinks
Backlinks show Google how good a website is. If many websites link to it (especially important ones), that means it has good content. But if a domain has bad, spammy links, it's not as good.
Use SuperSiteTools to check the backlink profile of a domain.
Moz Rank Check
Moz Rank checks a site's Domain Authority and Page Authority. These affect how high a website shows up in search results. A higher number means a more valuable domain.
You can get a free domain check from Moz or pay for its Rank Checker for a better result.
Quality of Website
Before the domain expired, was it hosting a good website or was it full of spammy links? You can use the Wayback Machine to find out.
Google Index
Knowing if Google still considers a domain important is crucial. If not, it's like having a new domain that doesn't show up well in searches.
To check, use Google Cache to see what version of the site Google has. If you can't find any results, don't buy it.
Website Traffic
Lastly, check the Alexa ranking of the domain name to see how many people visit the site. If it's a lot, Google sees it as valuable.
You can get good estimates from SimilarWeb.
How to Buy and Sell Expired Domains
Now, you might be curious about where you can buy or sell your domain. We suggest GoDaddy Auctions, afternic.com, sedo.com, or flippa.com.
But remember, there are more options too. If you find another website offering to sell your domain or the one you want, you might want to try it. Just make sure to ask yourself some questions first.
Can You Trust the Platform?
You should make sure the website where you're buying or selling a domain is reliable, so your deal works out. Otherwise, you might end up paying for a domain you don't get, or giving away your domain for nothing.
Sadly, it's not always easy to know if a site is trustworthy. But forums, social media, and review sites like Trustpilot are helpful. If past customers have issues, they'll probably talk about them on these sites.
Is the Network Strong Enough?
If you're selling a domain, you want to be sure that many people will see it. Use the tool we talked about before, SimilarWeb, to see how much traffic a site gets. It's best if the website has millions of visitors daily.
Other Ways to Make Money with Expired Domains
While this article mainly talks about selling domains, there are a few other ways you can earn money from expired domains.
Here's a quick look at each method:
Speculating
Domain speculation means getting an old domain, holding onto it, and selling it later when the demand goes up. This could happen because of a new technology becoming popular. This needs patience and has some risk, but it can be very profitable.
Domain Parking
For domain parking, find an expired domain that still gets a lot of visitors. Then, go to domain parking sites that do pay-per-click advertising (PPC). When you park your domain on their servers, they'll pay you based on how many people click the ads on your site.
It's a nice way to make some money without too much effort.
Creating a Website and Adding Value
Even though this takes more time, it's a good idea.
Make a good website, add content that helps with search engines, and get more people to visit. As time passes, you'll get even more visitors and your site will show up higher in search results. This means you can sell the domain for more money.
Redirecting Traffic
With this method, when people go to an expired site, they automatically go to a different site where you can earn money from clicks or purchases.
For best results, make sure both sites are about the same things. Otherwise, visitors might leave quickly.
Final Thoughts
There's a lot of potential profit in buying and selling expired domain names, and you have many choices.
Just like any business or extra job, my suggestion is to start small and grow over time. Get experience in the market before spending too much money or time on a domain that might not give you much profit.
Keep going, even if your first try doesn't work out. Persistence pays off, especially if you follow these tips and do your research.
More people are getting into this business, so the competition is growing. But if you follow these steps and do your homework, you can make good money.
I hope this guide helps you understand how to earn money with expired domains.