question Aged Domains

[jjngjr]

I noticed some buyers are looking for aged domains and don't even want to look at any newly registered names. What are the obvious reasons for that?

I know everybody's wants and needs are different when buying, but why not even consider anything but? Is the thinking that all of the good names are usually taken?

If it's aged, it could possibly be damaged by bad links, content, etc as compared to a really good new registered name. What gives?

Thanks
Joe

 

[hawkeye]

As most great domains were registered long ago, asking for 'aged' means they're hoping to find a decent domain. Not all aged domains are great or even semi good. The quality of the domain is all that matters, not the age of it.

 

[jjngjr]

As most great domains were registered long ago, asking for 'aged' means they're hoping to find a decent domain. Not all aged domains are great or even semi good. The quality of the domain is all that matters, not the age of it.

Thanks for chiming in. I agree about a lot of aged names can be not-great. I believe there are tons of great new names that are there for the picking. Lots of new technologies and the likes are emerging every day. I'm new to this but it just makes sense to me in general.

 

[HotKey]

Age also matters. Quality is definitely the #1 factor, but it's not the only. The reason you see folks looking for aged, is that a domain that's accumulated years of renewals behind it has built a foundation on rock, and not on sand. The name has lasted the ages. So though many here may tell you that age doesn't matter, that's their prerogative. Perhaps they just look at domains as throwaways, easy come easy go. Whats' the quickest way for me to make money? Not, what's the most fulfilling way for me to make money.

Do what works for you, and what you feel you connect with best. If its quick flips, new regs, then by all means, go for it. If you feel a bit more appreciative of history, than you know what you must do. And those are the buyers you would target, or even better, you would draw.

If you find an aged domain has a bad history, perhaps it is of lower quality, and not worth the investment anyways. You can see this by monitoring expired domains on the aftermarkets and make an informed decision by doing your own research on what you discover. As pointed out though, and very important to consider, aged does not equate quality, it's not an automatic given.

Also consider new Gtlds. No age, but potential for top-tier names. These are the exception, especially with the domain market saturated with every possible mutation of a .com (typos, weirdo "brandables" and long-tails), they provide the perfect brand solution, in 2019 and beyond. In fact, all domain investors should be on board with these, and presenting them to clients.

Personally, a legacy (.com) domain with a solid age factor is the only avenue worth my time and investment. After age, then comes the consideration of quality. A quality domain, newly regged (.com), meh. A dime a dozen, every Tom Dick and Harry scrambling and clawing and scratching against abysmal odds of a winning number.

You mentioned new tech is emerging every day. Consider now we have options now to reflect the exact technology with a New.Technology domain name! Why would you use an outdated, misspelled or 3 word domain on a legacy TLD like .com to reflect your brand? Makes no sense. When it comes to aged (.com) domains, and I'm talking REAL age, like 15-20+ years, generally we didn't have to warp a domain name or misspell it to fit the brand, so it very well may be a great match.

Good luck man. Look, there's all sorts of quality domains, new or aged, .com or not, really it is in the eye of the beholder, in the end, the buyer or developer. Any one of us may be on the receiving end, and sure as %&! not going to tell me what I'm looking for in a domain I'm looking to buy. Unless it's a crappy newly regged .com. It better be amazing, or you best be pointing me a solid aged one, short and sensible, or a new G.

 

[jjngjr]

HotKey

Thank you for the detailed reply! And luck!

A lot of great points. I can appreciate a good quality domain (which I am trying to learn what makes a good one), of any age.

I agree about the new extensions and like the fact that a business has multiple opportunities to secure a great brand name. More opportunities for buyers and sellers.

I am not a fan of misspellings but as a seller, it's not about me. If it makes for a great brand name, then so be it.

Thanks again for sharing!

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I wish in a way we had a measure of time renewed since domain creation. By that I mean if a domain was created in say 2000, has it been registered 5% or 99% of the time since then. By the domain clock resetting even if the domain expires for an hour, two domains with almost the same history can be listed with very different ages. I suppose DTs give the data to determine it.
Bob

 

[jjngjr]

I wish in a way we had a measure of time renewed since domain creation. By that I mean if a domain was created in say 2000, has it been registered 5% or 99% of the time since then. By the domain clock resetting even if the domain expires for an hour, two domains with almost the same history can be listed with very different ages. I suppose DTs give the data to determine it.
Bob

Thanks Bob, that would be good info.

DTs? Domain transfers?

 

[Bob Hawkes]

DTs? Domain transfers?

Sorry for undefined acronym! No Domain Tools. If you have subscription they provide a domain history.

I find that even most hand registered .com domains have been registered on and off many times, so are not really new even though the domain clock says that they are.

I think one problem with depending much on domain age is it diverts you from the real question of quality. Often age simply means that a domain owner was stubborn about trying to sell it at a good price and refused to let it drop, or it was used for one small business for many years. Neither case necessarily implies anything positive about quality of the domain name.

One of the valid arguments those opposed to automated appraisals use is that appraisals tempt you to be lazy in your assessment. You look for high appraisals, when you should be looking for high quality based on your own in depth analysis of a myriad of factors. I think exactly the same argument can be made about domain age - it tempts you into thinking age is a good measure of quality, and might divert you from assessing true quality.

Age is very loosely related to quality, I would argue. So are automated appraisals. Both may be helpful as a screening device if you are willing to accept giving up some worthwhile names and if you don't let them divert from truly assessing quality.

Just my opinion,

Bob

 

[jjngjr]

Bob

Thanks for clearing that up and your opinions, much appreciated.

Like most things, one should have an end goal and plan in mind with each domain purchased.

Joe

 

[richasis]

Domaining is a marathon, not a sprint - today's new registration is tomorrow's aged domain name...

In the end, it's all about believing in your feel of future trends and waiting for others to come around.