Buying pre-owned domains is what experienced smart marketers do instead of registering a brand new domain. By buying the right pre-owned domain we not only avoid the Google sandbox, but we can also get started on the right foot if the domain happens to have already good page rank.
This sounds all great in theory, but in reality it is a different kettle of fish since not every pre-owned domain is what it seems. A typical example is a domain that I found the other day. It had a PR 7 and was registered in 2004, which is great for not being any more in the sandbox. But then things always look a little suspect when they are too good to be true. Nobody had bid on the domain yet and I thought cool, this might be a great buy.
But then I checked a little closer and found out that the domain was both banned from Google and Yahoo. Lucky me for not falling prey to this! But what about the other bidders who have since started to bid on this domain?
They obviously don’t know that this could be the case. They probably think that since the domain is for sale from a reputable company everything else is fine too.
Well, think again, it isn’t! If you are into domain buying, please avoid paying for worthless domains that will do nothing for you because they are either banned or they are not what they appear to be.
Double and triple check your finds before you separate with your money. It can save you a lot of hassle later down the track.
Use the following SEO tools to check the domains back links and whether it is banned or not.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It isn’t that difficult to get a site reindexed by Google. They ban them to punish the former owner but if you contact them and show you have a legitimate site to build then they will remove the ban.
Hi Monika -
Thanks for posting this. I have known about it for some time but I know many aren’t aware. The reason I give thanks is I’m looking for a few domain names and got lost in all the searching and trying different variations etc I forgot all about checking if names had been banned. I needed to get this wake up call now before I took action. Great SEO tool link at the end of your post.
Thanks again this was perfect timing – John