Backorder process

[rziegler80]

I answered someone's question through a private message and thought it might be useful to someone else in the future.

Read you post about your success with back ordering via Godaddy.

After reading about status codes on the net, my understanding is that expired domains go through steps - redemption, delete and drop,
but its not clear to me at which point you try to get a domain via back ordering.

You can backorder most domains at any time (even when someone's currently registered and paying for them). You could probably backorder Google.com now (you'd just never get it). When domains are in the pendingDelete status is the best time to use the backorder function. The "backorder" isn't successful until the following conditions are met:
1. You're the only one who wants the domain (or it goes into auction)- auctions are more common in prerelease because the domains that people generally want are discovered by domainers before they let it get to the pendingdelete phase. If auctioned, you need to be the highest bidder.
2. The domain is currently dropping/becoming available for purchase.
3. The script being used by the backorder company runs first and fastest at the moment the domain drops and becomes available for purchase.

So you can see how multiple backorders from different companies increases your chances with #3.

If you do get a domain via back ordering, does it retain its PR as long as you get hidden whois during acquisition?

I honestly don't know enough a PR to tell you about whether it stays with the site. I imagine that it would not because PR is from the actual developed website, not the domain name, I think. Can anyone help with this?

(RE: GoDaddy Backorders) If you wanted to go after say 5 domains, does that mean that you have to purchase 5 backorders @ $20/per and if you don't get the domains you just keep re-using those $20 fees?

Yes, that's exactly how it works. You could spend $100 backording 5 domains and if you didn't get any of them, you get 5 credits for backordering domains in the future. The $20 also includes registering the domain at Godaddy.

What is the best place to find the domains that are going to be dropped soon (you said you go after them at the last moment) unless someone else is already bidding on it.

What tools/source do you use to find domains and to find how many (if any) are bidding on the domain?

I subscribed to NameJet emails that send me specific emails every day with keywords that I am interested in. I for example enjoy roleplaying games so I focused on the small niche of "rpg" domains (as one example). I get about 10 emails every day with lists of domains expiring or in prerelease with dates and everything. It will also say if anyone is bidding on them.

I don't actually BUY the domains at NameJet anymore because it's EXPENSIVE. There are enough backorders that slip through to cracks for my liking that I can buy for $20 at GoDaddy. Although I have to remain calm whether I get them or not.... there is a risk to using only GoDaddy. I would not, for example use GoDaddy for a domain that I thought was truly worth $10,000. I would use as many as I could get my hands on.

Another tool I use that has been helpful (although not as gospel) is estibot.com or valuate.com. They can help determine traffic and an approximate "value" of the domain. I would always stress that the domain is only worth what someone will PAY for it. I have thousands of dollars in "estibot" domain value, but I've never sold a domain for what it is appraised for. More like half or not at all -- it's not easy money or Everyone would be doing it.

Stick with it though and I'm sure you'll see some rewards. Good luck, and I hope this helps!