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eCommerce SEO is still alive...

November 13, 20234 min read

In the world of SEO, it’s not about being the loudest; it’s about being the most heard. The right SEO doesn’t just speak; it echoes across the web. - Mark Eting

Unleash the SEO Powerhouse: Mastering Domain Authority with Expired Domains

This document serves as a practical guide for eCommerce website owners looking to enhance their online visibility through strategic SEO practices.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of eCommerce, standing out in the SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages) is like finding a needle in a haystack. But what if I told you there's a golden needle that can catapult your website to the top? Welcome to the world of Domain Authority (DA) and the game-changing strategy of leveraging expired domains.

What Is Domain Authority?

Let’s start with the basics. Developed by Moz, Domain Authority is a metric that predicts your website's potential to rank in SERPs. Think of DA as your website's credit score for search engines. A high DA score, ranging up to 100, signals to Google that your site is a trusted authority, worthy of a top spot. In simple terms, higher Domain Authority equals higher SEO ranking.

The Gold Mine of Expired Domains

Now, let's dive into a strategy so potent yet so overlooked: the power of expired domains. Picture this: a domain with a rich history, armed with a trove of backlinks, just waiting to be claimed. That’s an expired domain. By harnessing these forgotten gems, you're essentially standing on the shoulders of SEO giants.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Scout for Gold: Head to ExpiredDomains.net. Here’s your treasure map. Set up filters based on your criteria – older, shorter domains with a wealth of backlinks are your bullseye.

  2. Select the Best: Sift through your options. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about finding a domain that aligns with your brand and vision.

  3. Seal the Deal: Found your perfect match? Time to make it yours. Often, the investment is minimal compared to the SEO windfall you’re about to reap.

  4. Set Up and Redirect: Change the DNS to CloudFlare for a robust and free redirection service. Then, implement a 301 redirect. This step is like redirecting traffic from an old, popular street to your brand-new, shiny store.

  5. Test and Confirm: Make sure your new digital asset points right where you want. It’s like checking all roads lead to Rome – or in this case, your website.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Let’s talk numbers. A case study: Empowery.com's domain DA shot from a measly 3 to an impressive 28 in just over a year. And now stands at about 35. How’s that for a SEO glow-up?

The Conclusion

Is it all about these redirected domains? Maybe, maybe not. But the leap in rankings is undeniable. SEO is an art and a science. While we can’t pinpoint every brushstroke's effect, the masterpiece’s beauty – higher rankings – is irrefutable.

Final Thoughts

Dive into the world of expired domains. It’s an ocean of opportunity for those willing to sail. Remember, in the game of SEO, it's not just about playing the game; it's about changing the rules. And with this strategy, you're not just playing; you're winning.

SEO basics

SEO basics

SEO for DA improvement

SEO checklist

SEO Checklist step 2

(an insider video shared for those awesomers who find their way here.)

Your SEO Overview Checklist: (this is what we did - you do what you do)

  • Understsand Domain Authority's Importance: DA, a Moz-developed score, predicts a website's likelihood of ranking in search engine result pages (SERPs). Higher DA scores indicate a greater likelihood of ranking​​.

  • Higher Domain Authority Equals Better SEO Ranking Check Yours: A higher DA score correlates with better Google rankings​​.

  • Consider Using Expired Domains: The document suggests going to ExpiredDomains.net and setting up filters to find older, shorter domains with more backlinks, as these are preferred for better SEO outcomes​​.

  • Determine Selection Process: It advises examining the results and selecting domains based on individual criteria​​.

  • Domain Purchase and Redirection: After purchasing a domain (for instance, getting 310,000 backlinks for $12), it recommends changing the DNS to CloudFlare and setting up a 301 redirect, citing CloudFlare as a better option than standard forwarding​​.

  • Testing the Redirect: Ensuring the redirect resolves correctly is crucial, as exemplified by redirecting PolarBearEditing.com to Empowery.com​​.

  • Results and Update: A case study showed an increase in Domain Authority from 3 in February 2022 to 28 by March 2023, with a further update in November 2023​​.

  • Conclusions: Hosting a blog on an expired domain and adding links to the target URL could be beneficial. However, it's unclear if the ranking increase is solely due to redirected domains. Backlinks that don't include the root domain aren't counted in sites like Majestic.com or Ahrefs.com, making it hard to assess the exact impact​​.

  • Ranking Increase and Backlink Quality: Despite uncertainties about the specific impact of certain backlinks, the increase in ranking is undeniable. SEO's importance is emphasized, with the quantity of backlinks potentially aiding the Domain Authority, even if their quality is not high​​.

Mark Eting

Mark is a dedicated writer to help business managers learn how to achieve greater efficiency.

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