If you're looking to give your SEO efforts a boost, aged domains might be just the trick. Here's the lowdown:
What are aged domains?
Aged domains are basically domain names that have been around for a while. They've been registered and used before, but for whatever reason, the previous owner let them expire or decided to sell. The cool thing is, these domains often come with some built-in SEO juice!
Why use aged domains for SEO?
1. Bypass the Google sandbox: New domains often get stuck in the "Google sandbox" for a while, but aged domains can help you skip this waiting period.
2. Instant authority: If the domain has a good history, you're inheriting its authority and trust in Google's eyes.
3. Backlink profile: Many aged domains come with existing backlinks, which can give you a head start in your link-building efforts.
4. Faster indexing: Google tends to crawl established domains more frequently.
How to use aged domains:
1. Build a new site: Use the aged domain to start a new website in a related niche.
2. 301 redirect: Point the aged domain to your existing site for an SEO boost.
3. Create a PBN (Private Blog Network): Use multiple aged domains to build a network of sites linking to your main site. (Note: This is a bit of a grey hat technique, so proceed with caution!)
4. Flip domains: Buy low, improve the site, and sell high.
How to buy aged domains:
1. Domain marketplaces: Check out places like Odys, GoDaddy Auctions, Sedo, or NameCheap for expired domains.
2. Specialized tools: Use tools like SpamZilla or DomCop to find and analyze potential domains.
3. Manual search: Use the Wayback Machine to check a domain's history.
Things to check before buying:
1. Domain age: Generally, the older the better.
2. Backlink profile: Use tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to check the quality and quantity of backlinks.
3. Previous content: Make sure it wasn't used for spam or in an unrelated niche.
4. Traffic history: Tools like SEMrush can give you an idea of past traffic.
5. Brand history: Make sure you're not buying a domain with trademark issues.
My personal experience: I bought an aged domain in the fitness niche last year, and it's been a game-changer. My new site ranked for some competitive keywords within weeks, which would have taken months with a fresh domain.
Remember, while aged domains can be powerful, they're not magic. You still need great content and solid SEO practices to succeed.