Are you looking to promote your business with a website? In order to do that, you will need to get a domain name. In order to do this, many people will buy a domain name that has been previously used. Though this practice can definitely be beneficial, you will also find that there can be problems associated with it as well. Just as you may expect some type of problem with a used car or truck when you purchase it, there may also be problems with a used URL. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a used one, it simply means you need to use some caution. Here are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of anything happening with your new domain:
Check an IP Whois Database
One thing that you should be sure you are doing when it comes to buying a used domain name is checking an IP whois database. This type of database will have information like when the domain was first registered, who is the current owner of the domain and a host of other types of info. This can be very important to someone who is trying to purchase this domain name as domains that are older often perform a lot better than those that are new.
Verify the Cache
Once you check the IP whois database, you will then want to verify that the URL you have chosen has been cached with Google. This is very easy and something that you can do on your own. Simply type in the word “cache:” and follow that by the site address. If you get a result, you will know that Google has accepted this site. If no results show up, it may be a site that has been banned by Google.
Check the Backlinks
Finally, you will want to check the back links that are coming to this URL. This is very easy as well. Just as you did the cache search above, you will want to do the same, only this time, using “link:” followed by the site address. If there are results, make sure they are not spammy nor that they contain adult content. If there are a lot of these links, it will be in your best interest to avoid that URL.
