As someone who owns a portfolio of websites, and that is involved with all things SEO, I’m constantly working to increase the power and rankings of my websites. If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably already familiar with link building, technical SEO, on page SEO, and the like.
However, there is one tactic that many SEO’s never explore, which involves building a website on an aged domain. This process is hard and time consuming, but the results can be tremendous. If you’re willing to put in the time over a many month period, then exploring aged domains may be a good option for you.
What Is An Aged Domain?
An aged domain is a domain that was once a live domain which had a website built on it, and that was indexed by search engines.
At some point, the owner of the domain chose to not renew the domain, which caused it renter circulation. While the domain may not still be live, all of the inbound links to the domain could still be in place, giving the domain “link juice,” something brand new domains do not have yet.
What Is Odys?
Odys is a website dedicated to all things “aged domains,” where people can browse and purchase aged domains, amongst other services.
As of writing this article, they currently have 995 domains for sale that range from several hundred dollars to over $50,000. Their domains cover nearly every niche, language and extension.
The team at Odys curates only the best aged domains, which they own, and then these domains are presented for sale to the public, complete with data and a branding package.
My Personal Experience Using Odys
As someone who has spent thousands of dollars buying aged domains through Odys, I can attest to their domain quality as well as their customer service.
Once you’ve identified and purchase the domain of your choosing, you are quickly entered into an email chain with a customer support team member. Immediately you’re sent the domain’s branding package, while Odys waits on your registrar account details.
In my experience, the domain transfer process has always started the day I’ve provided my registrar account details, and can be fully transferred within 24-48 hours.
Since I have a passion for websites, I’m continually thinking about websites that I want to build in the future. So while I’m perusing Odys, I’m always looking for a domain that might be a good candidate to build a website on in the future.
Looking at my hosting account, I have 11 aged domains that are standing by just waiting to be put to use!
What Can You Do With An Aged Domain?
Let me start this section with that I don’t consider myself to be an SEO expert. I’m 100% self taught through Ahrefs tutorials and trial/error on my own websites. Even though I’m not an SEO professional, my organic search engine results do speak for themselves.
I’ve found three ways that aged domains can be beneficial, let’s break them down:
- 301 redirect an aged domain to another domain/website
- Build a new website on an aged domain
- Rebuild an aged domain website, let it rank, and then 301 redirect that website to a “money” website
The first option that you have, is to simply 301 redirect your aged domain to a domain/website that you’re trying to rank. This method I recommend the least, as there is a lot of uncertainty, however it has worked for me in the past with no negative consequences.
Secondly, building a website on an aged domain “base” can be very powerful. With this tactic, you take an aged domain and build a similar niche website on the domain.
For example, if you purchase an old domain that existed in the pet food review niche, then creating a pet food review website on that domain could prove beneficial. I employ this tactic to around 40% of the websites that I build.
The last option that I’ve worked with, has to do with re-creating a version of the website, letting it rank, and then 301 redirecting the entire site over to a “money site” in a similar niche.
For this example, let’s say that you have a main “money website” in the gym/exercise space where you rank content for exercises, nutrition plans, and supplements. While browsing Odys, you notice an aged gym related domain and make the purchase. Since you have a long term strategy with your “money site,” recreating a version of the aged domain website makes sense. After using Way Back Machine, you’ll have a good idea about the type of content that used to be live on the website. Recreate this style of content on the aged domain, while preforming link building and other SEO tactics. Once the website beings to rank for your target keywords, then 301 redirect the aged site to your money site.
Keep in mind, you probably don’t want to redirect everything to the homepage. Going back to my statement about knowing that I want to build certain websites in the coming years, I rebuild websites in similar niches so that when I’m ready to start my money site, I already have an aged website that can be redirected.
Results From Using An Aged Domain
Below I have outlined my personal results from using aged domains. Keep in mind that I only do “website stuff” as a hobby, and if it was something I spent all my time on, the results would be even better. I’m not going to reveal the exact URL’s but you’ll get the gist.
First, this website in the maritime space. I recreated this website and currently letting rank. Once it’s ranking well, I will 301 redirect the site to a main “money site” in the same niche.
Here is another website that I simply 301’d the entire domain to, and it began to rank very well.
And lastly, here is a website that is built on an aged domain, and I have no intent on 301-ing it, as the domain is brandable and this is a money site.
Now What?
If you’re serious about SEO and ranking your websites organically, then exploring and experimenting with aged domains are a must. I highly recommend that you check out Odys and begin your domain search today! Once you’ve secured your domain, you’ll have to decide which tactic to employ. My suggestion would be to recreate the website, let it rank, and either redirect it or continue to use it as a base for your money site.
The world of SEO can be difficult, but through the power of aged domains, an increase in rankings, link juice, and site authority can be achieved.
