Dynadot

debate Why do people get domains for free or even just $1 and not renew?

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I notice a trend people win a domain here at $1. Then other people get a domain (.com/.net/.org specifically) from the free section here. My question is why do over 80% not renew them especially when they are .com, .net, or .org (I mean reg. fee is cheap)? Do you guys agree that if it's free then you should 100% renew it? What about if it's $1?
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
If they get a domain for free or for $1 on NP's. It's highly likely to be a domain which is not worth renewing. They get a buzz about acquiring the domain for free or cheap. But quite often, they are faced with the harsh reality by the time that renewals come around.
 
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Well first, I believe if the dot com, net and dot org is that good, the owner would renew it. I dont believe anyone would want to donate a 2018 Ferrari car model for free.
Most of the times we take the free domains because we believe we might be more proactive in doing some outbound works on the domains than its previous owner. If it didn't sell by outbounding then we leave it to luck.
But to those who won at $1, I think it is just sane to renew. I mean why would you participate in an auction to buy a domain either $1 or $1000 and not renew..

All those are my opinion though.
 
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It's afree ride till the very end.
 
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To see what the traffic is like, and push it to other names.
To see if they get any purchase offers.

No action = no good = no renewal.
 
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When I joined NamePros I got lucky and received a nice brandable for free that I immediately sold for $45.. never found a nice domain for free after that. Those I claimed, I let expire, because they were not worth renewing, I would only claim for selling it before expiry, if it won't sell, it was not worth renewing.
 
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When I joined NamePros I got lucky and received a nice brandable for free that I immediately sold for $45.. never found a nice domain for free after that. Those I claimed, I let expire, because they were not worth renewing, I would only claim for selling it before expiry, if it won't sell, it was not worth renewing.
Same story Here, when i joined some one given me a 4L.net 3 years old which I sold for $18 within 2 week.
 
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Most free domain I get or offer for free are a few weeks from expiration, and since selling an nearly expired domain is a NO NO, you have to renew it, then spend time and money developing or advertising it to sell it. Most of the time it's not worth the hassle.

I used to have 500+ domains, got tired of renewing and had no time to develop most of em, better to sell em for $1 or even give away than spend more time and money. :P
 
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Easy come, easier go...
 
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They tried to flip it for a few bucks more and it was a waste of time. No point in throwing good money after bad.
 
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You can find a domain for free or $1. But you can never find renewal for free or $1. So... The calc is simple.
 
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when they are .com, .net, or .org (I mean reg. fee is cheap)?
Well the reg fee is not exactly cheap if you multiple with XX-XXX domains like many users here, better giveaway or sell for $1 to save some money if you don't want the domain anymore. (One man's trash is another man's treasure)
 
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Some will look for feeder traffic or backlinks then renew then if they reach a certain level. Some will use them for spam and basically destroy them.
 
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It's the same story, some see value :playful: where others see chickens :chicken::chicken::chicken:
 
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I'd have to agree, It's always a tough choice, because one mans trash is another mans gold!

I've let 'unprofitable and undesirable' domains expire only to later find them developed and looking pretty darn profitable, after I just dropped them!! Yet I've also held onto some 'gems' for over 2 years now without any significant interest. Yet I know they are worth money.

So based on domain names alone, its a hard choice, so I tend to study the traffic, history, keywords, ranking, backlinks, and weather or not they could become profitable in future. etc

But to renew a domain just because it's been acquired for free or very cheap, definitely doesn't equate to a profit. In fact it could be the opposite in the end.
 
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On, thing if $1 or slightly more but dirt cheap they don't renew they should offer it up for free here rather then let it drop or become deleted, although I still find it morally wrong not to renew it. Second, thing if it's free it was very selfish and morally wrong for them to claim a free domain and not renew. If, they were not going to renew a free domain (especially in free section), they should not claim it and just give someone else a chance.
 
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On, thing if $1 or slightly more but dirt cheap they don't renew they should offer it up for free here rather then let it drop or become deleted, although I still find it morally wrong not to renew it. Second, thing if it's free it was very selfish and morally wrong for them to claim a free domain and not renew. If, they were not going to renew a free domain (especially in free section), they should not claim it and just give someone else a chance.

This I do agree with!! If a domain will drop, and one has no intention of renewing it, then why not pass it on?

I understand it not being 'ethical' to sell an expiring domain, but to offer it up/ pass it on for free, is something that should be encouraged. Especially on a domaining community forum such as this.

Although it does happen on occasion. And since you've mentioned it- I do have several domains in my portfolio that I know I won't be renewing- so maybe i'll take lead and make a post for free expiring domains- closer to the time they expire?

Cheers
 
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Most of the bulk registrations of free or really cheap domains are for marketing and seo, which are used as throwaway domains.

If you wanted to spam a social media site like reddit for example to promote an affiliate site, you wouldn't want to just have MyMainAffiliate.com and have that one link banned. You could setup 100's of one page affiliate websites for free on your hosting account and promote hundreds of different links and not have to worry about them getting banned
 
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If the domain is of high enough quality, then a renew cycle or two could certainly be worth it.

I agree with you on if someone claims a free domain with a few days to renew, then they should be obligated to renew or let someone else claim it.
 
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