DoFollow Links Series #003 - Buying an aged domain, with authority & backlinks?
DoFollow Links Series #003 - Buying an aged domain, with authority & backlinks?
A shortcut for a better start?
In this issue, we talk about:
Aged domains with authority and backlinks: Why and how?
A review of my plans, for accountability!
5 fresh backlinks opportunities, 4 juicy dofollow links, and 1 nofollow
Let's go!
1. Aged domains with authority and backlinks
I've used this method many times in the past with great results, and I plan to use it with some of my new projects. That's why I want to share details about this with you, including an actual example from this week.
It can be helpful if you start a new project and you want a head start with your website authority and backlinks.
What are aged domains?
An aged domain is a domain name that was previously used for a website, and is now available for purchase.
Usually this refers to auctions or marketplaces for these domains and that's one way to get them, but it could get expensive.
I've purchased domains from these auctions in the past and we can talk about the marketplaces another time (since the quality is often better)
But today I want to talk about the free version, when you get an aged domain for the regular registration plan.
This is posible because many domains previously used are just dropped by the owners, sometime by mistake (they don’t renew the registration) sometimes because they don't want to continue that project.
These expired/dropped domains become eligible for registration for the regular price.
Why get an aged domain?
They have established authority and backlinks so this could get you a head start with your project. Even if they don't appear indexed in Google, they get indexed faster than a domain without history (my anecdotal experience more than once).
They have backlinks and authority (Moz DA/Ahrefs DR) from those backlinks. If you build something on the domain, in the same niche, the websites that link to you won't know the difference so you can have those backlinks indefinitely.
Even more, these backlinks can be contextual, focused on the content the old website was about. You want to keep the same niche to benefit mostly from that domain history. In fact, that's how you start, from the niche, and I'll show you in an example below. But first let's answer this:
Is it safe?
Well, I can't guarantee that. As with most good things in life, in SEO there are risks, since Google and other search engines decide their algos.
Google said many times in the past they are fighting against this, most recently this year, with the March update.
“Expired domain abuse is where an expired domain name is purchased and repurposed primarily to manipulate search rankings by hosting content that provides little to no value to users.” (Google website)
Note how they talk about content value. This is the important criteria but we can say the same about ANY domain, aged or fresh. If you have little to no value, you won't be indexed and ranked.
While some people consider this the end of aged domains, I think they can't do that. There are millions of websites that expire every year. You cannot ban all of them. Also, Google has a history of changing its mind.
Worse case scenario: they will be treated like a fresh new domain after they expire (you won't get the juice from old backlinks). That would mean domains are forever young and reset when they are dropped
If you start a new project and buy a new domain for the regular registration price, you already expect that, so it won't hurt you.
And in the best case scenario, you benefit from that domain's history.
I've bought quite a few aged domains in the past weeks so I'll let you know how it goes in the next months.
How to get them (I’ll show you an actual example)
This is a video with me getting an aged domain:
The steps:
You do keyword research with a tool like this one for a keyword for a niche you are targeting, in my video example “podcasts”
Find a keyword that has potential for a great EMD (exact match domain), repeat if necesary with other keywords until you find a good one
Search if that domain is available to register for regular price. If the .com is not, sometimes .org or .net can be great aged domains.
See if the domain has authority and backlinks with this tool
Additionally, before you buy, do other research, like checking its history in the wayback machine, checking the backlinks it has, at least the important ones (for the domain in the video, I have this link from producthunt that looks great)
You buy it and build on it.
B. My strategy for the next 6 months
I tweeted about this but I want to share it here also, to keep myself accountable:
1️⃣ I will launch 3 directories. At least one will get to 1000s of visitors per month (mostly SEO)
Now, I have just one directory beta version launched, still adding data to it
2️⃣ My SEO Alpha newsletter,the one you're reading will reach over 1000 subscribers (Now it has 56 subscribers)
3️⃣ I will launch 3 additional websites with SEO services for monetization (like submitting to directories, citations, website indexing, press release, video services)
Why so many websites?
Because I want to increase my chances to be successful!
From my experience, sometimes, even if you do everything right, a website can fail.
So I don’t want to have all the eggs in one basket.
4️⃣ I will integrate video in my social media content, with that funny looking face below, for a better reach and will document how and what results I'm getting
If I achieve 75% of what I'm planning, at the end of these 6 months, I think I should be at >$2000/month from this #buildinpublic side hustle. Let's see!
C. Fresh Juicy Dofollow Link Opportunities
Link 011 - sites.google.com
Metrics:
Linktype: dofollow
DA 94
Cost: free
Details: go to Google sites and create your website. It can be a simple landing page. Add links to your main project(s) where you want in the content.
Link 012 - cal.com
Metrics:
Linktype: dofollow
DA 47
Cost: free
Details: Create your cal profile. Cal is a booking scheduling app where you users can book a cal with you. You need to connect your calendar. Add desired link in the about area.
Link 013 - carrd.co
Metrics:
Linktype: dofollow
DA 84
Cost: free
Details: create your carrd account. You can choose your landing page from predefined ones. The page will be on a subdomain, not on a subfolder. Add links to your projects and socials to your page.
Link 014 - hashnode.com
Metrics:
Linktype: dofollow
DA 62
Cost: free
Details: hashnode is a platform where devs can blog. You can create your profile without proving you're a dev. 🤪 Add links and socials to your profile.
Link 015 - pinterest.com
Metrics:
Linktype: nofollow
DA 94
Cost: free
Details: the old but still vibrant visual social platform. You can add a link to your profile and also save pins with links. While the backlinks are nofollow, there is much value to get from pinterest. It can drive traffic through pins, besides indexing. If you want to get into more details about this, let me know.
All right, that’s it for now, see you in the next one!
Dorian, over and out🫡