A domain name, which is also called a web address, may be best defined as a unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain names invariably consist of two parts - the part on the left is the specific and personalized part and the one on the right is the general part.
The first part enables one to choose an appropriate domain name for personal use or for the use of one’s business. There are several domain name registration and web hosting companies.
Expiry of web domains
A web domain name registered on a particular date remains valid generally for a period of one year. But before the same date next year if the owner of the web domain fails to renew the domain name, the web domain will expire for all practical purposes.
But most registrars, however, allow a grace period of 30 days for domain renewal. During this period the status of the domain would be technically termed as ‘Renewal Hold’. If the owner of the domain name continues not to renew the domain even during this grace renewal period, the domain is handed back to the registry. Then the status of the domain changes to what is technically called ‘Redemption Period’.
If an owner chooses to restore the domain during this period, they may, in some cases, have to pay up to ten times the fees of a one year renewal period. The duration of the redemption period is thirty days. In the event of the owner failing to renew the domain even at this late stage, the domain is ordered to ‘Pending Delete’. Nothing can be done thereafter to restore / renew the domain and it is permanently lost - until it is re-registered by the original owner or a third party.
Trading in expired web domains
There are a lot of traders who deal in expired web domains to make money. Each expired domain sold by domain traders is unique as no two domain names are the same. But buyers of expired domains would be very eager only if they have an established pool of regular relevant traffic.
First a trader (who is intended to buy a web domain) registers for an expired web domain and from there they prepare themselves for effective trading trying to get all the profits. Getting a domain which is expired is not difficult but getting a value addition of web business from it is a tough task. One has to go through initial level of web domain trading.
Domain parking facilities
Expired domains do not have much commercial value unless the domains enjoy a large amount of traffic. The trader initially wishes to build a small income around the expired domain before selling it for a big price. Domain parking is an ideal way to earn some basic initial income. This will also help to sell that domain eventually for a decent price.
Domain parking provides the space to park the expired domains till such time it is sold for a good price. Almost all expired domain traders use this service as a tool to drive traffic to the domain. Expired domains with good traffic and incoming links obviously yield handsome returns with a domain parking service. Domain parking also provides enhanced opportunities for selling the expired domain at a good price.
Advantages and Disadvantages of buying expired site
To increase web site traffic, online businesses quite often look out for buying an expired domain which already has an established pool of regular traffic. Buying expired domain is a technique to maximize traffic especially if the targeted traffic of the expired site is the same. The additional traffic thus directed to the web site will mean visits by more potential buyers leading to increased sales.
An expired domain name also carries a number of disadvantages. Some of the common disadvantages of using an expired or pre-owned domain names are:
- Likelihood of an established history of spam
- Probability or occurrence of artificially enhanced robot activity
- Undesirable background with mail flooding, DOS, home page hacking, other spurious activities
- The reseller may be attempting to sell a domain because of its certain inherent defects
An assured way of augmenting traffic is to only buy an expired domain that has traffic that is totally relevant to the buyer’s own business, products or services. However to know the exact background of the expired site, it is prudent to seek an evaluation and status report of the expired domain name that will also contain a number of sensitive details like traffic density, its link popularity and such other critical details.
To know in greater detail about expired domain names and how to trade in them, readers can log on to Expired Web Domain Traffic
Join the Conversation