Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One

TampaDave · 03-30-2011, 01:02 PM

I'm interested in people's opinion on the following option I have for a new site. 2 options for the URL:

An existing site, "examplekeyword.com" is available for $250. It is about 4 years old, but is not being used and has very little traffic.
I can register the site "example-keyword.com" and start from scratch.

My main question is: will the age of the domain name help with the SEO rankings I will do? Or is it just a waste of money and I'm better off going with the new name with the "-" in it?

Any input is appreciated.

ChrisRWS · 03-30-2011, 03:35 PM

Domain age does help alot as it adds authority; also have you checked if there are backlinks to the domain, as you also need to evaluate if these links are good quality and would they be hard to replicate.

At the end of the day is this domain worth $250 to you and your target niche?

Natlex · 03-30-2011, 04:38 PM

I would go for the aged domain if 1) it's a real exact match and 2 if it has been indexed by gooel ( you said it gets traffic so I assume this is a yes).

After that, you just gotta see if it's worth $250 for you.. that depends on the traffic/conversion % or adsense CPC for that keyword...

zchatila · 03-30-2011, 04:44 PM

An old domain name is absolutely a factor when Google ranks websites for SERP related activity. As mentioned previously, it conveys authority. But is it worth $250? It's hard to say but if the site you are launching will have interesting, fresh content, then you can get ranked in google relatively quickly. SO in that scenario, I think the $250 may seem more like a waste of money.

Wechito · 03-30-2011, 04:54 PM

I agree with the folks above. Go for the old domain, besides the age (what is important), it has no hyphens.

Let me point out something about exact match domains. It seems that after Google's Farmers Update, having an exact-match domain is not as important as it used to be (or not important at all) in terms of SEO.

bermuda · 03-30-2011, 04:59 PM

The older domain would be the finer option in here, just make sure it has been operating online since the registration period because parked domains, even if they were initially set up several years ago but deserted with no sites linked to them, can be very much like new addresses that would begin getting accessed by search engines.

The age of domains and time factor could be among materials and elements beyond control of webmasters and search engines in general, Google in particular, can be said to favor the older domains which have been constantly operating online in their niches than new sites which need links plus contents and also months of time.

dadamson · 03-30-2011, 05:08 PM

+1 for the older domain.

If it is a serious website that you are aiming for a $250+ profit each month it is totally worth it.

If it is just a minisite in a low-competition niche and you don't mind waiting for a few months before you get steady rankings then go for the new domain.

Cheers,
Dave

Mike Anthony · 03-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaDave

I'm interested in people's opinion on the following option I have for a new site. 2 options for the URL:

An existing site, "examplekeyword.com" is available for $250. It is about 4 years old, but is not being used and has very little traffic.
I can register the site "example-keyword.com" and start from scratch.

My main question is: will the age of the domain name help with the SEO rankings I will do? Or is it just a waste of money and I'm better off going with the new name with the "-" in it?

Any input is appreciated.

Unless you are really liking the domain I would pass. If you are prepared to spend $250 then you can get a domain that is both aged and has links already. Most people don't understand what an aged domain really is . it has more to do with when the site was indexed by google than how old the registration is.

hectortrojan · 03-30-2011, 06:01 PM

Does that mean - if I bought a domain name for a couple of years and it got popular during that time, I will have to pay a lot to renew it?

Natlex · 03-30-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hectortrojan

Does that mean - if I bought a domain name for a couple of years and it got popular during that time, I will have to pay a lot to renew it?

No, the price does not go up (stays at $10/year or whatever your registrar first asked). He's buying a domain that the previous person has not renewed and is now probably on auction or the person is simply selling it to him for $250.

03-30-2011, 01:02 PM	#1
TampaDave Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One I'm interested in people's opinion on the following option I have for a new site. 2 options for the URL: An existing site, "examplekeyword.com" is available for $250. It is about 4 years old, but is not being used and has very little traffic. I can register the site "example-keyword.com" and start from scratch. My main question is: will the age of the domain name help with the SEO rankings I will do? Or is it just a waste of money and I'm better off going with the new name with the "-" in it? Any input is appreciated.

03-30-2011, 03:35 PM	#2
ChrisRWS ESSEYO Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 32 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One Domain age does help alot as it adds authority; also have you checked if there are backlinks to the domain, as you also need to evaluate if these links are good quality and would they be hard to replicate. At the end of the day is this domain worth $250 to you and your target niche?
	Crystal Heels

03-30-2011, 04:38 PM	#3
Natlex HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 390 Thanks: 33 Thanked 28 Times in 21 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One I would go for the aged domain if 1) it's a real exact match and 2 if it has been indexed by gooel ( you said it gets traffic so I assume this is a yes). After that, you just gotta see if it's worth $250 for you.. that depends on the traffic/conversion % or adsense CPC for that keyword...
	---> My blog on making niche sites & ranking them with SEO for a full time income since 2010 !<----

03-30-2011, 04:44 PM	#4
zchatila Warrior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montreal Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One An old domain name is absolutely a factor when Google ranks websites for SERP related activity. As mentioned previously, it conveys authority. But is it worth $250? It's hard to say but if the site you are launching will have interesting, fresh content, then you can get ranked in google relatively quickly. SO in that scenario, I think the $250 may seem more like a waste of money.
	30 Day Free Trial Conference Call Services

03-30-2011, 04:54 PM	#5
Wechito Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 551 Thanks: 72 Thanked 74 Times in 68 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One I agree with the folks above. Go for the old domain, besides the age (what is important), it has no hyphens. Let me point out something about exact match domains. It seems that after Google's Farmers Update, having an exact-match domain is not as important as it used to be (or not important at all) in terms of SEO.
	*** THE AFFILIATE WP THEME - Clean, Professional, Functional, Fully Customizable * Works Great with Amazon ******** AFFORDABLE Professional GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN ********** (Headers, Landing Pages, Amazon Stores, WordPress Sites, Ecovers... Whatever You Need)

03-30-2011, 04:59 PM	#6
bermuda HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 235 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One The older domain would be the finer option in here, just make sure it has been operating online since the registration period because parked domains, even if they were initially set up several years ago but deserted with no sites linked to them, can be very much like new addresses that would begin getting accessed by search engines. The age of domains and time factor could be among materials and elements beyond control of webmasters and search engines in general, Google in particular, can be said to favor the older domains which have been constantly operating online in their niches than new sites which need links plus contents and also months of time.
	\| Banner Design \| MySpace Layouts \|

03-30-2011, 05:08 PM	#7
dadamson SEO Enthusiast War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 1,843 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 52 Thanked 345 Times in 262 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One +1 for the older domain. If it is a serious website that you are aiming for a $250+ profit each month it is totally worth it. If it is just a minisite in a low-competition niche and you don't mind waiting for a few months before you get steady rankings then go for the new domain. Cheers, Dave
	FREE TRIAL On SEO! Strictly WarriorForum Members ONLY!

03-30-2011, 06:01 PM	#9
hectortrojan Warrior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Should I Buy An Existing Domain, or Register a New One Does that mean - if I bought a domain name for a couple of years and it got popular during that time, I will have to pay a lot to renew it?