Introduction
Purchasing an existing domain or website can offer a time and money-saving advantage to your online ventures. But before you invest your resources into a domain, there are important factors that you should consider. In this guide, we will provide beginner-level insights on how to evaluate a domain.
Evaluate Domain Name
The domain name is the primary identifier of a website, making it significant for branding and SEO purposes. Here are the crucial questions that you should ask when evaluating a domain name:
Is it Memorable and Brandable?
A memorable name is easy to remember and catchy, while a brandable name can be used to represent your business or website. A great domain name should be both memorable and brandable.
Is it Simple and Easy to Spell?
The simplicity of a domain name helps with memorability, ease of typing, and prevents mistyping errors, which can result in loss of traffic or revenue.
Does it Contain Keywords?
Keywords in domain names can positively impact SEO, but it's important to note that this factor isn't as valuable as it once was. If the domain contains a keyword, it should occur naturally and not feel forced.
Evaluate Website History
A domain may already have a history, whether positive or negative. Here's what you should consider when evaluating the website history:
What was the Website Used For?
It's essential to understand what the website was previously used for before purchasing it. Is it a spammy, blacklisted website or a genuine business with a good reputation? This information will help you determine the value of the domain and identify any potential risks or benefits.
What is the Domain Age?
A website's age can positively impact SEO and may also indicate established backlinks, which can help support your website's ranking in Google search results.
Evaluate Domain Authority and Traffic
Domain authority and traffic represent the website's standing in the online world, making it crucial to evaluate. Here are two metrics that you should consider:
Domain Authority (DA)
DA is a score that predicts a website's ranking potential, based on various factors, including backlinks, domain age, and content quality. A domain with high DA has the potential to rank better in search engines for specific keywords.
Website Traffic
When evaluating a domain, it's important to understand how much traffic the website receives. You can use tools like Google Analytics, SimilarWeb, and Alexa to estimate traffic and identify potential traffic sources.
Conclusion
Evaluating a domain can seem overwhelming, but it's an essential process before investing your time and resources. Following these steps can help you identify the value and potential risks of a domain, making it easier to determine if it's a good investment for your online ventures.