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Domains which had previous businesses using them

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This is a question for those who essentially snap up expiring domains.

Let's assume you spot a "City+service.com" domain that's up for grabs. You obviously see potential end users via Google, but also see that the domain was once used by some business in the past. The business continues to exist on their primary brand name domain.

Also assume there are Facebook Pages and local directories listing the domain (when it was operational), which come up when you google search "city+service.com"

Would you pick up such a domain and attempt to sell it to an end user who may not have an idea that the domain was used by a fellow competitor business at some point of time in the past?

The ideal way is to pick up domains that have not been used in the past, but that's easier said than done, given the competitive nature of this industry.
 
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the domain may have links, which are still active in directories or google.... and that could bring in some traffic


but if those links get removed, then where is the value?

also, why would another company want to use a domain that may be similar to an existing brand?

and.... why would you want to put them in that position, without disclosure?

imo.....
 
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Happens all the time. Can't see any disadvantage, neither to you nor to your buyer. If that's really strict keyword+location, and no trademark involved.
 
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@biggie, the domain in question is city+service, and the brand name of the business that used it is different- imagine a company like A & Co using LondonAccountants(dot) com. The original business continues at A &Co's website, and one can see that there are firms like B & Co and C & Co who also operate in the same field and therefore might be interested in using the domain name.

So for disclosure purposes, would you then add in the outbound e-mail that this domain was previously used by your competitor who appears to have let it expire, and we've picked it up and are offering it to you? Think that'll seriously affect chances of a sale to an end user.

Also, I can see that the domain was used by a competitor business because I have access to tools that show domain history. The normal end user might not be savvy enough to google the name first or use domain history tools.
 
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I don't see any benefit in stating that the domain you are selling was used and dropped by a competitor. For me that is stating the obvious. That it wasn't worth the reg fee to keep it.
 
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The only thing you should worry of the penalization by Google!

Even a domain name is penalized by Google, it will still show in the Google's search result. However, some domains are heavily penalized by Google, and taken out of the Google's index...... that may be problematic to the end user!
 
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If the original company went bankrupt then it would be a different story. You could sell the domain to a company offering the same service so they could do a redirect to their site and pick up any traffic that would usually have visited the now non trading company.
 
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I like it when the domain is short and it's been off the market for a long time (like ~2000), and this usually means there is pent-up demand for the name just waiting to be exploited.
 
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The only thing you should worry of the penalization by Google!

Even a domain name is penalized by Google, it will still show in the Google's search result. However, some domains are heavily penalized by Google, and taken out of the Google's index...... that may be problematic to the end user!
Not problematic at all. Granted the new owner builds on this domain a new site, totally white hat and useful to public site, and not some PBN or doorway or stuff... Then if there is really a penalty for any kind of old sins, it lifts instantly by sending a reconsideration request to Google. Always.
 
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@slytherin

I get your question completely.

I would be careful when considering a pick up of such a domain because you have a very limited target audience. Basically the business you are referring to is the end target.

Whenever I purchase a domain I ask myself "do I have multiple end users"

In your case there is one end user and you need to do some prep work to assure there is a possibility of a sale. On a 10 dollar transfer no biggie but if you have to bid and spend good money to buy the domain you have to be careful. If the end user says no you are pooched unless you can find one of his competitors to buy the domain.
 
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@slytherin

I get your question completely.

I would be careful when considering a pick up of such a domain because you have a very limited target audience. Basically the business you are referring to is the end target.

Whenever I purchase a domain I ask myself "do I have multiple end users"

In your case there is one end user and you need to do some prep work to assure there is a possibility of a sale. On a 10 dollar transfer no biggie but if you have to bid and spend good money to buy the domain you have to be careful. If the end user says no you are pooched unless you can find one of his competitors to buy the domain.

I think there is usually more than 2 customers for a city+service.com domain name. The one who dropped it and the one who is the target, plus all the electricians in LA, if the domain is LAelectricians.com, for example.
 
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