Post-buying Management of Expired Domains - Tips and Suggestions

Copyright (c) 2009 John Khu

Buying an expired domain is as easy or as difficult as any other buying activities. When you buy a product from an online portal, you will be on your track to confirm that what you buy is actually good for you. There are times when you buy an exceedingly good product. At the same time, you may even buy a product that is useless and a big waste of money. The most important aspect that you must remember is to ensure that you are buying only the best. However, all newbie domain buyers get confused as to what to do with the just purchased domains.

Here are some general tips and suggestions for managing your expired domain names:
Redirect your expired domains to your present domain by using 301-redirect method: This time-tested method helps you to promote your expired domain. By redirecting the domain, you can easily bring your expired domain back into life. To maximize the effect of this method, you may wish to buy an expired domain that has theme and keywords almost similar to your existing web domain. The most significant benefit of using this method is the gradual accumulation of incoming links and traffic to your web domains, which eventually result in an enhanced commercial sales value, and increased probability of selling your domains for very good profits. Here are some more advantages and associated disadvantages of using 302-redirect method:

1. Benefits:
a) It saves you lot of time and energy
b) You can benefit from the traffic associated with expired domain
c) It is a proven method to generate incoming traffic and links

2. Disadvantages:
a) Most redirect scripts will have the old anchor texts that are not as good as the new keyword enriched anchor text.
b) Some of the expired domains might have strict penalties imposed on them in their previous avatar. You may inherit this black mark when you buy such expired domains. You will need to be very cautious of this issue.

Design and create an expired domain based micro-site and divert traffic from it: This time consuming method needs your effort and money. In fact, you can use your expired domain as a small web portal to provide useful information and articles for the benefit of readers. You can also redirect the traffic from this site to your main site to create traffic. When you match the keywords of both of these sites, the ensuing traffic will be just amazing. Some of the benefits and demerits of using this method are:

A) Benefits:

i) You can easily promote links to your main site
ii) Accumulated traffic will add value to your expired domain
iii) You can easily create a good brand for your main web site.
iv) You can even use your expired domain based micro site as an experimental place to test your content and advertisement
v) You can have a very simple micro site limited to just one page.

B) Disadvantages:
i) The whole process is time consuming and you will need to put lot of effort.
ii) You may face the problem of spamming which may also lead to penalties imposed by search engines.
iii) Micro sites are very difficult to promote and advertise.

These two simple methods can help you permute your expired domain in many ways and they are the most desired tools to add a premium value to your domains expired.