Where Should you be Buying Expired Domains From
09-02-2024 - BlogsAn Introduction To Buying Expired Domains & Expiring Domains
When venturing into the landscape of domain ownership, you’re presented with two distinct choices in the market where value meets opportunity. First, understanding the difference between buying expired domains and those soon to be on the market is crucial. Expired domains are those that have been previously registered but, after their expiration date has passed without renewal, become available for new ownership. These domains often carry the advantage of an established history and could potentially maintain their previous website traffic, making them attractive assets.
On the other hand, prospective domain buyers also have the option to buy expiring domains. These are currently registered domains that are expected to become available soon, typically because the current owner has not indicated a desire to renew. Through a process known as backordering, interested parties can place a reservation on these soon-to-expire domains – major domain registrars offer this service, acting swiftly to help you acquire the domain the moment it drops.
The strategy one should adopt greatly depends on their specific needs and goals. If you seek immediate control over a domain with a track record, buying expired domains may be your preferred route. This can be a quick and effective way to establish your online presence or leverage the SEO benefits of an existing domain.
However, if you’re eyeing a particular domain that has not yet expired, choosing to buy expiring domains through backordering can be a prudent move. This advanced strategy requires you to keep watch over the domain’s expiration timeline and typically involves working closely with a registrar that can secure the domain on your behalf once it becomes available.
How Do You Buy Expiring Domains, via A Backordering Service Work?
Backordering is a service that domain registrars offer to prospective buyers interested in a specific domain that is not yet expired but is expected to do so. If you’re intent on securing a domain that’s currently owned but suspect it won’t be renewed, a backorder is your best bet. Thebackordering process differs depending on what backordering service you use, but it can basically be boiled down to the following steps:
1. Research and Selection
Firstly, identify the domain you wish to acquire. Browse through lists of expiring domains on various websites to make your selection – our go to choice is of course always our own hourly updated list of expired domains. It’s important to conduct due diligence on the domain’s history to ensure it aligns with your needs and is free from any previous misuse.
2. Place a Backorder
Once you’ve decided on a domain, you can place a backorder through a registrar that offers this service. There is typically a fee associated with placing a backorder, which varies between registrars. It’s worth noting that multiple people can backorder the same domain, which may lead to a competitive auction.
3. Monitoring the Expiry
The registrar will then monitor the expiration date of the domain. As soon as it becomes available, typically upon expiration and following the registrar’s grace periods, they will attempt to register it on your behalf.
4. Acquisition Attempt
When the domain expires, the registrar you’ve chosen to place your backorder with will instantly attempt to acquire the domain before anyone else can. This process is automated and happens in a fraction of a second.
5. Successful Acquisition
If the backordering service successfully acquires the domain, it will be transferred to your account, usually after a mandatory waiting period set forth by ICANN’s regulations.
6. Possible Auction
In cases where more than one backorder has been placed on a domain, some registrars may hold a private auction. This auction is only open to those who placed a backorder, and the highest bidder ultimately wins the domain.
Buy expiring domains via backordering requires a proactive approach and, often, patience. While the service doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the domain – since others may also be interested, and the current owner still has a chance to renew – it significantly increases your odds compared to the uncertainty of public availability. But it also VERY IMPORTANT to understand that, using a backordering service, has a very very high chance of you ending up paying ALOT higher price, then you would have had done otherwise.
What Backorderings Services, Can You Use To Buy Expiring Domains?
When it comes to buying expiring domains, there are several reputable backordering services that can assist in securing your desired domain name. These services are specially designed to help individuals and businesses automatically place a bid on a domain the moment it becomes available. Below are some of the most widely recognized services in the industry:
GoDaddy Auctions
GoDaddy, one of the largest domain registrars globally, offers an extensive auction system for buying expiring domains. They provide a user-friendly platform and a vast selection of domains nearing expiration.
SnapNames
SnapNames offers access to a large selection of expiring domain names thanks to their partnerships with multiple registrars. Their service is optimized to quickly capture domains as they become available.
Flippa
While Flippa is more renowned for being a leading platform for buying and selling online businesses, websites, and apps, it also has a robust domain auction system.
NameJet
As a leading domain auction platform, NameJet excels in acquiring high-value expired domain names. They partner with various domain registrars to provide a diverse inventory.
DropCatch
Specializing in catching and auctioning off dropped domains, DropCatch can be a powerful ally in buying expiring domains. Their high-speed technology is designed for successful captures.
Sedo
Sedo stands out as a heavyweight in the domain marketplace, providing a vast array of services that include domain brokerage and auctions. Although Sedo isn’t traditionally known for backordering, it offers an extensive search for expired and expiring domain names that can be bought either through direct purchase or via auction.
Each of these services operates slightly differently, but they all share the same goal: to give you the best chance of buying expiring domains efficiently. It’s wise to review each service’s policies, success rates, and fees before deciding which to use for your backordering needs. With their help, you can streamline the process of acquiring valuable, soon-to-expire domain names to bolster your online presence.
So How Does Buying Expired Domains work?
Buying expired domains is a much more immediate and often less expensive alternative compared to backordering. After domains have expired and gone through any hold or redemption periods set by their registrars, they are released back into the domain pool and become available for new registration. This is when interested buyers can step in and snap them up.
Unlike the process of backordering, where you’re essentially reserving your spot to try and acquire a domain before it hits the public market, buying expired domains is direct and on the spot – once a domain is available, anyone can register it on a first-come, first-served basis. Transactions are quickly executed, similar to purchasing a new domain from any registrar’s website or domain marketplace.
The cost benefits also stand out – because buying expired domains only involves paying the standard registration fee significantly lower than what you might pay when entering bidding wars through a backordering service. So there’s no need to account for additional service charges that come with backorder providers, making it a more budget-friendly option. To embark on buying expired domains, one would typically use registrar-provided tools or dedicated search engines that list available expired domains, like our own hourly updated domain list of expired domains.
Once the domain is purchased, it becomes immediately part of your digital portfolio without the need for further action. You can then proceed to use it as you see fit, for your website or as part of your branding strategy, right after the completion of the sale. This simplicity and cost-effectiveness make buying expired domains an appealing route for those looking to establish their online presence swiftly and economically.
So What Option Should You Use?
Deciding whether to use a backordering service or to simply buy an already expired domain boils down to personal preference, with each method presenting its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Ultimately, both options require consideration of what’s most important for you or your business. While backordering is proactive and specific, buying expired domains is more about exploring available choices and seizing opportunities promptly. Weighing the pros and cons of each will help you decide the best course of action for your particular needs and goals in the dynamic domain marketplace.