If you want to improve your online presence with a distinctive domain, consider expired country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). These domains offer unique regional branding advantages and can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional options.
But where can you find them?
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of expired ccTLDs and show you the best places to find them.
Key Takeaways
- Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are important for online branding, international SEO, and targeting specific regions with distinct content. They are a powerful tool for businesses looking to expand their global reach and improve their online presence.
- There are various methods to find expired ccTLDs, such as browsing domain marketplaces, participating in auctions, and using drop-catching services.
- ccTLDs help you build trust with buyers by demonstrating a commitment to serving customers in specific countries, which is crucial in a competitive online marketplace.
- Many ccTLDs are more affordable and accessible than generic top-level domains (gTLDs). This makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to get the domain names they want without spending too much money on marketing.
- Before buying ccTLD, check the domain’s history to avoid any problems like spammy backlinks or penalties. With the right expired ccTLD, you can quickly gain an edge in your local market.
What are ccTLDs?
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are specific top-level domains used to denote a particular country, territory, or sovereign state in a website’s URL. These domains help indicate the geographic location of a website and can impact search engine prioritization based on the user’s location.
ccTLDs differ from generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com, .net, or .org by specifying a particular country or region, making them valuable for international SEO strategies.
Using ccTLDs signals search engines that the content is tailored to a specific country or region, enhancing visibility in search results for that area.
Examples of ccTLDs include .es for Spain, .se for Sweden, .co for Colombia, and .de for Germany, among many others. Each country has its own ccTLD, with some countries having more than one.
Overall, ccTLDs play a crucial role in online branding, international SEO, and targeting specific regions with specific content, making them a powerful tool for businesses looking to expand their global reach and enhance their online presence.
Learn more about ccTLDs in this article.
The Benefits of ccTLDs
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) offer several benefits that can enhance a website’s online presence, credibility, and search engine optimization (SEO). Here are the key advantages of using ccTLDs:
Local Targeting
Using country code domains can help websites target specific regions or countries. This can improve a company’s online visibility and help them connect with local customers who are more likely to support local businesses.
SEO Benefits
Search engines prioritize local websites when users perform country-specific searches. By having a ccTLD that matches the target market, businesses can improve their search engine rankings and increase organic traffic, leading to higher conversion rates and revenue.
Building Trust with Buyers
ccTLDs build trust with buyers by showing commitment to serving customers in specific countries, which is important in a competitive online marketplace.
Unique Domain Names
ccTLDs offer opportunities for creative branding by combining domain names with the country code, known as “domain hacks.” This approach can assist companies in establishing a strong brand presence and setting themselves apart in the market. For example, the domain name “soci.al” is a domain hack that uses the country code top-level domain .al from Albania to form the word “social.”
Cost-Effective
Many country domains are relatively inexpensive and available compared to generic top-level domains (gTLDs). This affordable option enables small and medium businesses to secure their desired domain names without stretching their marketing budgets.
Flexibility
ccTLDs often have fewer restrictions compared to gTLDs. Some country-specific domain extensions have less strict registration requirements, making it easier for businesses to get their desired domain names. Additionally, country top-Level domains may have fewer regulations regarding content and website management, providing businesses with more flexibility and autonomy in creating and maintaining their online presence.
National Pride
ccTLDs can evoke a sense of national pride and patriotism, making users feel safer to make purchases from websites that share their culture and language.
Availability
ccTLDs offer a higher likelihood of securing short, memorable, and SEO-friendly domain names, which are often already taken with gTLDs.
What is an Expired ccTLD?
An expired ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain) is a domain name that has reached its expiration date and is no longer active. When a ccTLD expires, it enters a specific lifecycle phase, which varies depending on the country-specific domain extension.
For more information about expired domains, read this: https://quirk.biz/what-is-an-expired-domain/
What are the Benefits of Buying Expired ccTLD?
Buying expired country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) can really help your SEO and online marketing. Here are the main benefits:
- Better Local Search Rankings: Search engines love expired ccTLDs for local searches, so your site can rank higher in your target country.
- Target Market Relevance: A ccTLD tells search engines and visitors that your site is specifically for their country, making it more relevant and engaging.
- Established Authority: Expired ccTLDs often come with built-in authority, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
- Existing Backlinks: Many expired ccTLDs already have good backlinks, giving your SEO a nice boost.
- Faster Ranking: New domains often face a delay in ranking, but expired ccTLDs can start ranking more quickly.
Before buying ccTLD, check the domain’s history to avoid any problems like spammy backlinks or penalties. With the right expired ccTLD, you can quickly gain an edge in your local market.
Where to Find Expired ccTLDs?
When it comes to finding expired ccTLDs, you can use various methods to do so:
Find ccTLDs in Domain Marketplaces
A domain marketplace is an online platform where individuals and businesses can buy and sell domain names. Here are the top marketplaces for purchasing country code domains:
SEO.Domains
SEO.Domains is the world’s largest supplier of expired domains, offering over 100,000 domains with history and backlinks at “Buy Now” prices. Their portfolio spans 99% of existing websites in 90 languages and 150 TLDs, with prices ranging from $30 to $200,000.
They also provide premium domains with strong SEO metrics and additional services like PBN building, content restoration, and expert consultations. Since they own all the listed domains, they ensure a quick and seamless buying experience.
ExpiredDomains.net
ExpiredDomains.net is a wide platform that provides valuable tools and resources for finding and buying expired domain names. Users can search through thousands of domains daily before they are released to the public, allowing them to pick domains that suit their needs.
The platform also offers lists of deleted domains for various TLDs, which are available for registration at normal registration fees. The database includes domains with various SEO metrics like Majestic CitationFlow, TrustFlow, backlinks, and more, providing users with valuable insights to make informed decisions.
Flippa
Flippa is a popular online marketplace that facilitates the buying and selling of domain names, websites, apps, and online businesses. The platform has a global reach, with over 600,000 registered buyers and investors actively searching for digital assets.
It offers a wide range of domain names for sale, including premium, expired, and newly registered domains. Users can find active soon-to-end domains, brokered domains, and other valuable assets, including expired country code TLDs.
Find ccTLDs in Domain Auctions
Domain auctions are an online service hosted on a domain marketplace where individuals and businesses can buy and sell domain names through a bidding process.
The most popular domain auctions for buying expired country domains are:
NameJet
NameJet is the largest domain name auction marketplace, allowing users to buy and sell domains. It focuses on high-value, premium domains, including expiring ones.
One of NameJet’s unique features is its partnership with various domain registrars to auction off domains before they become publicly available. This gives buyers a chance to acquire desirable domains that are about to expire. The platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and manage bids and backorders.
GoDaddy Auctions
GoDaddy Auctions is a popular platform for buying and selling domain names. It offers a wide variety of premium and expired domain names, including some country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). GoDaddy Auctions gives access to exclusive expired and aftermarket domain listings, allowing buyers to acquire high-quality domain names that may not be available through regular domain registrations. The platform provides advanced search tools to help users find the perfect domain for their needs.
Namecheap
Namecheap offers a domain auction platform called the Namecheap Marketplace, where users can buy and sell domain names. Users can instantly buy domains or bid in domain auctions to get the domain name they want. The auctions feature expiring domain names and investor inventory. Namecheap doesn’t charge listing fees for auctions but takes a commission on successful sales.
Drop Catching or Back Orders
Domain drop catching, also known as domain sniping, is a way to get an expired domain as soon as it becomes available. This involves tracking domains as they expire and using automated tools to quickly register them once they become available. If successful, the service registers the domain with your chosen registrar and transfers it to your account.
The cost for domain catching is typically just above the regular registration fee, often less than $10, and you only pay if the service successfully gets the domain. However, it can be challenging to find valuable aged domains and keep track of when they expire. Plus, there’s a lot of competition from others trying to get the same domains.
While this method used to be more effective, it’s now much harder to get desirable domains due to increased competition.
Conclusion
Investing in expired country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) can help improve your online presence and local SEO. You can find expired ccTLDs through domain marketplaces, auctions, or drop-catching services.
With the right approach and research, leveraging expired ccTLDs can bring significant benefits to your business.
