Help and Advice
What are unwanted domain names ?
Unwanted domain names (also known as dropped domain names, deleted domain names or expired domain names) are domains names that have been registered by someone else for a period of time. However, when the registration fees for the domains are not renewed then the domain is released so that it can be registered by someone else.
Does this mean that someone else can claim back the domain ?
No, the original registrant will have had plenty of time as well as several reminders to renew the domain so there's no chance that the original owner can request the domain back.
Why should I consider an unwanted domain ?
Most domains are registered for an initial period of two years. Several years ago a large number of people registered a domain names and many of these are now expiring. Many of these domain have never been hosted which means that you can get, in effect, a brand new keyword-rich domain name. However, a significant number have been hosted and even have inbound links from other sites. This means that they potentially have traffic as people follow those links !
Do I need to bid for the domains ?
No, although if you're interested in a domain that has some history and some inbound links then you'll need to act quickly because other people will also be trying to buy it. You simply need to click the register link and pay for the domain. If you're first you'll end up with the domain, if not then you won't pay anything. For domains that have no history or inbound links the competition will be much less intense so you should just be able to buy the domain.
Are the domains expensive ?
No, we direct all domain registration requests through our preferred domain registration partner, a company called SimplyNames.com. They offer both .co.uk and .org.uk domains for £5.78+VAT for two years. Bear in mind that many other registrars will only quote a cost for one year, so you'll need to double it if you're going to compare prices.
Do I need to host my new domain with SimplyNames.com ?
No. If you already have web hosting elsewhere all you need to do is to change the DNS (Domain Name Server) settings to point to your existing web host. SimplyNames.com's control panel makes this extremely easy to do.
Why do you recommend Simply.com ?
This is because we have direct personal experience of them dating back over three years and have always found their service to be excellent. They also have an excellent control panel which makes managing your domain names quick and easy.
You only list .co.uk and .org.uk, will you cover other extensions ?
Yes, we are planning to include .com and .net domains in a future version of Unwanted-Domain-Names.co.uk.