Domain Names Dropping: Are They Actually Worth Buying?

Keeping track of lists of domain names dropping is a great way to catch dropped domains before anyone else does. These domain names are made available at only the cost of registration fees and offer domain flippers the chance to obtain quality domains for their portfolio.

Find out how dropped domains work, the benefits of buying them, and where to filter out listed domains that are available for registration.  

What is a Dropped Domain?

First, let’s clarify what a dropped domain really is and how it’s different from an expired domain. 

A domain name ‘drops’ when it expires and is not renewed by its owner. Do note, though, that it will only be considered dropped once the 30-day grace period after the expiration date. The domain is then given a drop date and added to a list of domain names dropping. 

Meanwhile, a domain is considered expired usually at midnight on the last day before the expiry date. Dropped domains, also called deleted domains, are just expired domains that are way past their expiry date. 

Understanding Expired Domain Names

Thousands of domains expire every day and for a variety of reasons. Some owners simply forget to renew their domain name or are no longer interested in using it. 

An expired domain name then reenters the market and becomes available to be re-registered by a new owner. These domain names may not seem valuable to some, but they can be a worthwhile investment once an investor knows how to separate the good ones from the bad. 

Supported Expired Domain TLDs

Sites ExpiredDomains.net and Internet.bs keep lists of recently dropped and expired domains for users to browse. ExpiredDomains.net supports 580 top-level domains (TLDs), including original and new gTLDs. 

Some of the TLDs available on ExpiredDomains.net are the following.

• .com
• .net
• .org
• .biz
• .info
• .mobi
• .pro
• .travel
  

Whois Details and Domain Ownership

One of the best ways to find dropped domains is using a WHOIS lookup tool. The WHOIS directory provides the following information about a domain. 

• domain availability and status
• contact information of the owner
• name of the domain owner
• registrar URL
• domain expiration date
• registry details

Pros of Purchasing Dropped Domains

So, why go through all the trouble of finding dropped domains? Here are some advantages that come with owning a dropped domain name.

It’s good for search engine optimization.

Since they’ve been registered and used before, dropped domains can rank better and faster in SEO results pages (SERP). The trick is to find a domain category that already has decent traffic and a backlink profile before it drops.  

It’s more cost-effective.

Going for a dropped domain may be more cost-effective than purchasing a domain that has been listed for resale by someone else.

Cons of Purchasing Dropped Domains

While the mentioned benefits of owning a dropped domain are enticing, don’t forget that they also come with risks. Here are some to keep in mind. 

It may have bad site traffic.

Some domain hosts inflate their traffic numbers to make a domain appear more appealing to buyers. This is usually done when domains are sold at auction. It’s best for buyers to do their own research on the domain they want. 

It may come with a bad reputation.

While some dropped domains come with good backlinks, it’s also possible to end up with a domain that’s been linked to a website with a bad reputation. Use Archive.org to investigate a dropped domain’s past and see what kind of content has been published using it. 

How to Determine the Value of a Dropped Domain

Keep these tips in mind to find good dropped domains when scouring through domain drop lists.  

1. Review the domain link manually to ensure it still exists.

2. Make sure that the domain isn’t blocklisted by search engines like Google. It’s important to get a domain that can be used instantly. 

3. Determine if the domain has a high search traffic volume. The seller can demand more if it does. 

4. Older domains indicate high quality, but not in all cases.

5. Shorter domains that are memorable and don’t have hyphens or symbols are typically more valuable. 

6. A domain name registered in more than one domain extension is sought after, and other people might be interested in it.

Use this checklist and various blog content to update yourself and decide whether a dropped domain is valuable before obtaining it. 

How to Acquire a Dropped Domain

 Once the buyer knows what they’re looking for, obtaining a dropped domain is simple. Follow these steps to register the right domain for your needs. 

• Step 1: Check if a domain name is registered still and take note of its expiry and drop dates. Use this time to do research and see if a domain is trustworthy and free from registry penalties.
• Step 2: If applicable, find out the domain provider and the auction partner that will be selling it.
• Step 3: Monitor the domain if it isn’t available yet. The new person will be the first to assign it when it drops.
• Step 4: If a domain doesn’t receive any bids, purchase it when it drops. For sought-after domains, use a backorder service. 
• Step 5: Pay for the domain. 

Where to Find Expired Domains: Australia

Those looking for the latest domains with a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Australia can check out ExpiredDomains.net’s selection. 

Here are some of the typical supported .au-related TLDs on the platform.

• .au
• .com.au
• .net.au
• .org.au

Optimizing Performance and Security of a Dropped Domain

Make sure that a dropped domain release performs in search engine rankings by following these daily measures to secure and optimize it. 

• Create a redirect from the old domain to the new one. 
• Clean up the website and remove or correct unnecessary information.
• Prioritize the keyword optimization of the domain web page to fit the domain.
• Build new exact backlinks in the same niche.
• Monitor the results cycle of these changes and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion: Is Purchasing a Dropped Domain Worth It?

With proper research a dropped domain is definitely worth it for domain investors. Dropped domains typically come with established backlinks, high traffic, and high search rankings, making it easier to resell them later for a higher price.