Used Domain Name Tip

Ok, been a little since I posted, but have been working my tail off with some new niches. One issue that I have seen an increase with on used domain names lately is that lack of “quality” domain names. What do I mean by “quality”? Pretty simply put, there seems to be a huge amount of junk domain names on the market now.

I have been reinvesting some money into domain names using GoDaddy’s domain name auction system. I have found a few gems on there recently, but it takes all day wading through the left over junk to find them. I’m not talking about the expensive domain names, or closeouts, but the cheap ass $5 domain names.

One problem that I have seen by researching quite a few of them is a lot of them appear to have been banned by Google. I have mentioned it before, but if you aren’t using the SEOQuake toolbar, you are missing out on a valuable piece of research that can save you a ton of time.

How can you tell if a domain name is likely to be banned? It has no PR, 0 indexed and 0 links. Now this isn’t only on Google, but across the board too. If you are in doubt, you should also check the tool section at iWebtools and use their Google banned domain checker. It’s free, and there are tons more out there.

One recent domain I bought I knew was banned, flat out, no questions asked. Just from the domain name I had a gut feeling. Not to worry however, just ask for a reconsideration with Google. I did and within one week the site was back in the SERPS and indexed again. The biggest thing that I did when I asked for reconsideration for this domain name is to not put ads on it yet, wrote 3 or 4 good content articles, and told Google that I was pretty sure it was banned and that I was the new owner.

I guess it worked! Now, to get some traffic back to it…

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11 Comments »

Comment by Terry Didcott
2008-03-07 13:15:00

Hi Elliott,

It just shows what a person can forget he knows - when I first started buying up domains, I looked at iwebtools, forgot to bookmark it, then forgot all about it (I use lots of other tools, but forgot just how useful that one is) and now you mention it I went over and used it and found three of my recent acquisitions are (probably) banned!

Thank you for reminding me of what I forgot - my head is like a sieve just lately! They’ll probably put that on my gravestone…

“Here lies that bloke who forgot.” lol!

Ha! But you’re right about the poor quality of used domains coming through lately. Most of them are absolute rubbish and it does take ages wading through all the dross to find the one or two gems that are in there somewhere!

Terry

Terry Didcott’s last blog post..Freedom Writer PR Chaos Again!

Comment by Elliott
2008-03-07 21:28:18

Terry,

You are right, iWebTools has a lot to offer and is a great and quick resource. As for the junk domains, you can almost bet that most of the $5 domains are junk. I have found a few nuggets in there, however, like this domain. It just takes time to find them.

One domain I recently bought for a niche was definately banned, no doubt about it. However, it was in the index within a week after sending a request to Google to reinclude it, and claiming it with Google webmaster tools.

Wish there was a quicker way to find the good ones on Godaddy…

As for your head being like a sieve, I guess you would look like a bowling ball with all of your fingers in your head trying to stop the leaks. I know I do… ;)

 
 
Comment by Shamim
2008-03-11 14:48:45

Good to know that the re-inclusion request went smoothly with Google. I wish Yahoo and other had easier ways to re-index sites.

Shamim’s last blog post..Nokia Morph Nano-Technology On A Phone

 
Comment by George Manlangit Subscribed to comments via email
2008-03-13 08:03:46

I also use domaintools.com for whois checkup. TDNAM or GoDaddy’s system will not drop the name outright. I use the whois tool to check if the domain has been previously dropped. I usually reconsider my options when I see that it has previous drop history. If it is worth keeping, I’ll just redevelop the site. Sometimes, there are some good domains, especially the old ones that are worth having in the portfolio.

George Manlangit’s last blog post..WPRemix - A Premium Wordpress Platform

 
2008-05-10 14:50:51

[…] a previous article I wrote about used domain tips I talked about how to be sure to check in Google Webmaster Tools for any issues or problems related […]

 
Comment by The Dino Subscribed to comments via email
2008-06-15 06:33:29

Where do you write for reconsideration? I have domain name also and seems like I bought it banned and had it 2 years and now I would like to use it.

Comment by Elliott
2008-06-15 07:44:56

Dino,

You need to use Google Webmaster Tools and once you verify the site, you can send Google a message asking for reinclusion. There is a link on the right side of the Google Webmaster Tools section.

 
 
Comment by The Dino Subscribed to comments via email
2008-06-15 08:05:18

I did that, site is verified but I am missing links for reinclusion. I found also other sites with this tip but I dont see that link. Only link which could be related is “Remove URLs”. I see total of 8 links in tools section.

 
2008-08-13 13:45:52

[…] Blog Explosion - Used Domain Name Tip […]

 
Comment by Howard
2008-08-21 14:02:10

As a matter of interest - how did you contact Google? Via Webmaster Central and an inclusion request?

Comment by Elliott
2008-08-23 08:28:00

I contacted Google through the Webmaster tools section. You have to claim and verify your site first, and once you open your site in Webmaster tools, there is a link on the right side of the page that says something to the effect of “Ask for reinclusion”.

 
 
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