Content
How to Find and Buy Expired Domains: A Step-by-Step Guide
January 22, 2025
7 min
Imagine a perfect SEO world with traffic coming non-stop to a newly created eCommerce website or a related blog, with the backlinks placed right where you need them, relevant keywords carefully selected for your business and even with its name and the domain name known among the target audience. Making this real is possible with the domains, that were previously used by someone else but their shelf life has expired. These are called expired domains. Where to buy expired domains with traffic and backlinks, Promodo experts give an overview of the best places to find expired domains for sale.
Expired domains are web addresses that were once registered but have not been renewed by their previous owners, making them available for registration again.
When a domain expires, the previous owner loses ownership, and the domain goes through a grace period before it is released to the public. After this period, anyone can register the domain, potentially benefiting from the established authority and backlinks it may have accumulated during its active use.
There are several reasons why expired domains are important and beneficial for businesses, especially in the context of SEO and digital marketing.
However, it's important to thoroughly research expired domains before purchasing. Some domains may have a poor history, penalizations, or spammy backlinks that can harm your SEO efforts.
Buying expired domains can offer a variety of advantages, especially for businesses or marketers looking to boost their online presence quickly. Here are some of the key benefits of acquiring expired domains:
There are various ways to find expired domains for building Private Blog Networks, satellite sites etc. Expired domains with traffic can be found at auctions, dedicated search sites and registrars.
Private Blog Network (PBN) is a network of websites that place a number of links leading to another website. Its primary goal is promoting the main website.
Satellite Site is a supplementary website that is regularly and extensively updated with content used for promoting the main website.
Follow this article to get a list of resources for finding international domains in the .com, .net, org, and other zones, as well as various regional expired domains for sale.
Promodo's team has prepared the list of best places to buy domains. Let's dive in!
“buy expired domains godaddy” is one of the most popular queries when you search for expired domains, with the Godaddy website being a top-of-mind domain registrar that has an auction.
What is good about this service to get expired domain is the selection of filters you can use in terms of the auction. You can select an expired domain filtering by:
Benefits. The platform is a good fit for searching high-quality expired domains with traffic and positions. Along with that, such websites are still working and bring traffic, and when you buy an expired domain, you will not have to change the domain registrar. So there will be no downtime of your expired website either, which is an additional check on the Google’s checklist. In addition to buying expired domains, here you can register new ones if needed, as well as use various additional services provided by the domain registrar.
Dropcatc is another service to buy expired domains with great backlinks with another auction on it. Here you can also place a domain backorder and get ready to roll the dice of getting recent expired domains. There are lists with a number of expiring domains in popular international zones, which you are free to analyse if you expect to find something worthwhile.
The platform provides easy filtering options, and you can also filter out a number of expired domains that are not something of interest to you. But I would still recommend using the Downloads tab on the website – it helps to download expired domain lists to further analyse them using dedicated services.
Probably the most popular service where to buy expired domain names, which is significantly different compared with the ones we mentioned above. This is a large-scale domain aggregator you can use for free. Here you can find a great number of domains of different domain zones, including both international and regional ones.
The domains are divided into 2 groups:
Once you open the expired domains list, you’ll see a number of columns with the following sorting options available:
In addition, some columns displayed can be adjusted inside the account, so that you only see the necessary parameters.
There exist numerous filtering options: you can filter by indicators popular services like Majestic and SEMRush use, and other characteristics:
The above list contains a small part of features, that are present on a dedicated website for expired domains search.
Once the domains are filtered and sorted, you can see the expired domains list which is easy to analyse right on the website or download in the preferred format. Please note that new users will have the Download option only in 2 weeks after registration.
An excellent solution for those who search for expired domains with traffic on a regular basis. The service is paid and can help decrease the time you spend on expired domains analysis and selection. Its functionality pretty much resembles expireddomains but with much more options of filtering, sorting and analysis. Moreover, there is an integration with Ahrefs available. The Ahrefs API can be used to access the data directly on SpamZilla. You can also filter by the services like Majestic, MOZ, Semrush. What is also good about such integration is that you can select websites based not only on the language but the number of anchor links which refer to the website.
Another benefit of the service is searching by links, namely:
The list of benefits this service provides to expired domain hunters. In my opinion, is the very best option and the possibility to gain more data about each domain without leaving the website.
Purchasing expired domains can be a strategic move to boost your SEO, traffic, and brand authority. However, to make the most out of this investment, you need to follow a careful, step-by-step process to ensure you’re choosing the right domain. Here’s how to go about it:
Before purchasing an expired domain, define your goals. Are you buying it to:
Understanding your goals will help you focus on domains that meet your specific needs, whether it's strong backlinks, brand relevance, or traffic potential.
Look for domains that are:
There are several platforms that specialize in listing expired domains. Some of the most popular ones include:
These platforms often provide detailed information about the domain, including its history, backlinks, and SEO metrics.
Before buying, carefully review the domain's key metrics and history. Key factors to examine include:
It’s essential to ensure that the expired domain doesn’t have a shady or spammy history. Avoid domains that:
You can use tools like Google’s Search Console (if accessible) or backlink checkers to see if the domain has any prior penalties.
Once you’ve identified the right domain, proceed to purchase it through the auction or marketplace. Some domains are auctioned off to the highest bidder, while others may have a fixed price.
Once the domain is successfully purchased, it’s time to set it up:
To get the most out of your expired domain, continue to build high-quality content, acquire additional backlinks, and focus on SEO best practices. The more you invest in maintaining and improving the site, the more value you'll derive from the expired domain.
Also read how not to loose traffic during the domain change in our case study.
If you're eyeing a domain that is about to expire but don’t want to risk losing it, Promodo's team has also prepared several ways you can reserve the domain before it becomes available to the public. Here’s how to ensure you can grab it as soon as it expires:
The most common way to reserve an expiring domain is by using a backordering service. These services essentially "reserve" the domain for you and attempt to acquire it on your behalf as soon as it becomes available. Backordering services typically charge a fee for this service.
Action: Choose a reliable backordering service such as GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, or SnapNames, and place a backorder for the domain you want. This ensures that if the domain becomes available, you have the first chance to register it.
If you prefer to avoid paying for backordering services, you can monitor expiring domains manually through domain registrar platforms. While this requires more attention and quick action, it’s an option for those on a budget.
Action: Keep track of the domain expiration date using WHOIS or domain monitoring tools. Be ready to register the domain as soon as it becomes available.
Some domain registrars and third-party services allow you to set up alerts for expiring domains. These services notify you when a domain is close to expiration or when it becomes available for registration after its grace period.
Action: Sign up for notifications on platforms like GoDaddy, NameCheap, or DomainTools. This way, you’ll be alerted the moment the domain is up for grabs.
In cases where the domain is owned by someone else and you are aware of its upcoming expiration, you can engage a domain broker to help you secure it. Domain brokers are experts in acquiring domains from current owners or from the auction market.
Action: Contact a domain broker to inquire if they can help you secure the domain before it’s lost to someone else.
Some high-value domains may go up for auction before they expire or after they become available. Domain auctions allow you to place a bid on an expiring domain, with the highest bidder winning the domain.
Action: Keep an eye on domain auction platforms like NameJet, GoDaddy Auctions, and Flippa. Many valuable domains are auctioned before they’re fully released, giving you an opportunity to secure the domain.
If the domain is expiring soon and you want to ensure that you get it, you can try contacting the current owner directly. Some owners may be willing to transfer the domain to you before it expires, especially if they are not actively using it.
Action: Use the WHOIS database to find the owner’s contact information, and send a polite email expressing your interest in purchasing or acquiring the domain before it expires. Make sure to offer a reasonable price to incentivize them.
Even though buying an expried domain seems to be a great SEO strategy, you need to be extra careful. Before purchasing an expired domain, it's critical to perform a series of checks to ensure it meets your goals and doesn't bring any hidden risks. Here are the essential checks you should carry out to make sure you're purchasing a wise investment:
One of the biggest advantages of buying an expired domain is the potential to inherit its backlinks. However, not all backlinks are created equal. It’s crucial to assess the quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to the domain. Low-quality or spammy links could harm your website’s reputation.
Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) are metrics that predict how well a domain or webpage will rank in search engines. While these aren’t official Google metrics, they can be useful indicators of a domain's potential SEO strength.
Expired domains could have been penalized by Google, either manually or algorithmically, which can severely impact your SEO efforts. It’s crucial to ensure the domain hasn’t been blacklisted or penalized for bad practices.
The Wayback Machine is an invaluable tool that allows you to view past versions of websites. By examining a domain's history, you can gain insight into the type of content it hosted and whether it aligns with your goals.
Some expired domains may have been involved in unethical SEO tactics like link farming, keyword stuffing, or cloaking, which could lead to penalties or damage your brand’s credibility. Investigate the domain’s history to ensure it wasn’t a part of any black-hat SEO practices.
It's essential to ensure the expired domain doesn't infringe on any trademarks, especially if you're planning to use the domain for branding. A trademarked domain can lead to legal issues and the potential for a domain takedown or dispute.
Research the previous owner of the domain and determine whether it had a positive or negative reputation. Sometimes, expired domains were previously associated with questionable businesses or activities that could hurt your website’s trustworthiness and credibility.
Expired domains that received traffic and ranking in the past may still have residual organic traffic, which can help give your site a boost. Check the traffic history of the domain to see if it had steady visitor numbers.
Short, clean, and easy-to-remember domain names are always more valuable. They are easier for users to recall, and they tend to perform better in search rankings. Avoid domains with long, complicated, or hard-to-spell names, as they might not be as effective for marketing and SEO.
Check when the domain was last registered and when it expired. If a domain has been expired for a long period, it may have lost some of its SEO value, making it less effective. It's also important to check if the domain has been backordered or if there are multiple people vying for it.
We also predict the situation that you may need help in gaining your expired domain back in case you lost it.
If you’ve lost a domain due to expiration, don’t worry — there are several ways to attempt to recover it, depending on how much time has passed since the domain expired and its current availability. Here’s what you can do to get your expired domain back:
When a domain expires, most domain registrars offer a grace period during which the previous owner can still renew the domain without incurring additional fees. This period typically lasts between 30 to 45 days, depending on the registrar and domain extension.
Action: If your domain is still within the grace period, simply log in to your registrar account and renew the domain for the usual fee. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to regain ownership.
If the grace period has passed and the domain is no longer available for renewal, it may enter a "redemption period." This is a 30-day period where the domain is in a “holding” state before it is released to the public. During this time, the previous owner can still reclaim the domain, but it typically comes with a redemption fee that is higher than the standard renewal fee.
Action: Contact your domain registrar to inquire if the domain is in the redemption period. If so, pay the redemption fee to recover the domain.
If the domain has passed both the grace and redemption periods, and it’s available to the public, you can try to "backorder" it. Backordering is a service offered by various domain registrars or specialized domain backordering services that allows you to place a reservation on a domain that you want to acquire once it’s released.
Action: Use backorder services such as GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, or SnapNames to secure the domain as soon as it becomes available. Keep in mind that multiple parties may also want the same domain, so backordering increases your chances of securing it.
Once the domain is officially released to the public, it will become available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis. If you didn’t backorder the domain, you can monitor when it becomes available by using domain monitoring services.
Action: Set up alerts with domain registration platforms, so you’re notified as soon as the domain becomes available. Be ready to register the domain as soon as you receive the alert.
In some cases, a domain might have been purchased by another party during its expiration process. If this is the case, you can try reaching out to the new owner to negotiate purchasing the domain from them.
Action: Use a service like WHOIS to identify the new owner of the domain. Send a polite inquiry expressing your interest in acquiring the domain. Keep in mind that the current owner might ask for a premium price.
If your domain was taken and is being used by another party, and it involves a trademark or intellectual property issue, you might have legal options to reclaim it. This is typically the case for businesses or individuals who lost a domain that is closely tied to their brand.
Action: If applicable, consult with a legal professional to explore your options, such as filing a Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) complaint.
Finding expired domains with traffic can significantly increase your chances of SEO success. However, such a strategy also has considerable risks and hidden threats. So, even though Promodo's team provided a detailed guideline on how to buy expired domains, we still recommend delegating it to professionals.
With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Promodo can help you navigate this process, ensuring you choose the best domains to drive traffic and authority to your site.
Team Lead of Content for promodo.com
Content marketing manager at Promodo with 7+ years of writing.
When creating valuable business content, I always seek fresh data, interesting facts, the expertise of professionals, and meaningful insights to bring relevant ideas to the audience. I believe that good content can enrich the experience of marketers, empower business owners to make data-driven decisions, and enhance companies in growth.
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