How to Check the History of a Domain before Purchasing It?

How to Check the History of a Domain before Purchasing It?

When acquiring a domain name, one should be tempted not only by its pleasant and distinctive name but also by its possibly dark past. If past owners used black hat methods, Google may have demoted the domain in search rankings. In an ideal world, after the registration of a new owner, search engines would erase the history of previously used domains. This, however, does not always appear to be the case. As a result, the SEO effectiveness of a website also depends on the correct domain name selection.

Experience programmers, particularly those that specialize in corporate website building, suggest that you check into the domain’s history. In any case, if you believe the name is appropriate for your company, you must purchase the domain. However, be cautious of purchasing a domain with a dubious background or that contains adult content.

Are you ready to have access to a vast reservoir of new, valuable information on this subject? In this article, we will walk you through the critical points to consider when purchasing a domain name.

Your Domain and Its History

When creating a website for your brand, the first step is to register the domain name. You will need to select a domain registrar, and from there you will be able to determine whether the domain you wish to use is available.

Additionally, HTS offers domain registration services, allowing you to check the availability of your preferred domain and immediately purchase it from the official website of HTS Hosting, all at extremely affordable costs.

Most of the time, individuals will choose a brand-new domain name with no history. However, there are times when purchasing an existing domain is more advantageous than purchasing a new one, particularly for ranking high on Google.

However, when creating a website on the existing domain name, people encounter two major issues.

One issue arises when a domain name is associated with “black hat” search engine optimization. This involves attempting to manipulate search engines by purchasing backlinks and other techniques that result in low-quality backlinks. If a previous owner has used black hat methods, Google may have punished the domain in search engines.

Another issue is if the domain name has previously been used for something illegal. Perhaps the domain was previously used for an adult site or casino that you do not want associated with your business.

Even though such consumption is in the past, it might influence your current usage. Websites may continue to connect to the domain name for this previous purpose, directing people to your new website who are expecting something entirely different.

The domain name may also be included in filtering block lists. When a domain is placed on a blocklist, such as one that prohibits pornographic material, it might take a long time to be removed.

New Domain name vs. Old domain name. What to Choose?

Many SEO professionals adhere to ideas and notions, such as Domain Age or Domain Authority. But there is one thing you should know about the old domain: it has a search history.

A domain name history is a collection of search signals gathered by search engines. These signals can have a good or negative impact on a website’s ranking.

You may acquire fresh domains with no history- this is how you can start your business from the beginning without the fear of unpleasant surprises. It appears to be a straightforward and practical option, particularly for novices. However, it can be difficult.

If you opt to acquire a used domain name, make sure it has an excellent reference profile and age, as well as a solid history that will assist you in swiftly gaining top positions in Google.

All domain names fit under one of the following categories:

·       Without history, the site’s name has never belonged to anybody. This is a blank sheet to which you can put whatever you wish. It is, by far, the cheapest.

·       With a good history, the domain has a high level of trust, and reputable resources link to the site.

·       With a terrible history, the name is on Google’s blacklist, you will have a lot of trouble because of that domain name.

Google sees domains as verification of the owner's identity and what he or she does. As a result, a solid track record is critical to your overall SEO rating.

Tools to Use for Checking a Domain’s Name History

At this point, you should realize why it is critical to be informed of your domain’s history before purchasing and using it. The Internet creates a trail that can be readily followed, and there is no way to hide anything online.

The domain you are thinking of purchasing may have a history that includes sensitive data and malicious code. It may even have previous owners before you.

Fortunately, you can learn about the history of the domain you’re using or any domain name you’d like to purchase. You can examine if it is worthwhile to make the investment. Here are the finest tools for researching a domain’s history.

·      Who.is

 

Some tools demand payments for their services, but if you want one that is completely free, try Who.is

To use, go to Who.is, where you may verify the information for a domain name you wish to search up. This tool will provide you with the information you want, such as its history and whether the domain is registered or not. You may also visit web solution providers' websites.

You will be able to acquire the following information with this free tool:

1.    Website statistics

2.    Previous and current domain owner

3.    Additional website information

4.    Internet Protocol Host

5.    Name-servers

Who.is also provides a function that allows you to receive an email alert whenever the information for the domain you are interested in changes.

This tool is also beneficial to website owners since it can be used to rectify information about their websites.

·      Internet Archive

 

The Internet Archive is a non-profit library that houses books, movies, software, websites, and other materials. The Way Back Machine, which allows users to search the history of over 500 billion online pages, is one of its most popular features. Also, it allows you to view how previous versions of websites looked in the past.

·             DomainIQ

 

It provides several tools for determining the history and health of each domain name. Some of the tools are behind a paywall, but it may be worthwhile to register before investing in an expensive domain name.

Enter a domain name and DomainIQ will look up its history. Among the information it offers are:

1.         Whois history: Domain names have so-called Whois records, which reveal who owns the domain. Whois history offers a snapshot of this information at various points in history. Use the Whois history to see who held the domain throughout time.

2.         Hosting history: This domain displays the IP address at which the domain has pointed throughout its existence. It also captures old screenshots, but not as comprehensive as the WayBack Machine.

3.         Flags: DomainIQ highlights domains that have been the subject of a cyber-squatting dispute under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, as well as domains that have been marked as an adult or possibly trademark domains. A domain should not be rejected just because it contains a flag, but you should look into the specifics.

·             IntoDNS

 

 

IntoDNS is another service that will provide you with the DNS information for a certain domain. It has a straightforward style, and you can easily acquire the information you need by inputting the domain name into the box given on the page. You will immediately receive a report describing the site's configuration and current health.

Conclusion

You can't be certain that an existing domain you're purchasing is fully secure. Thus, these tools will assist you in identifying concerns that should be examined further.

Also, inquire about the domain's history with the domain owner. How long have they had it? Did they buy it from someone else? What did they do with the domain?

It's also worth noting that the history of a domain name might be beneficial to you. If a former owner established a site for the same topic, you will be utilizing the domain for, any quality backlinks they earned might offer you a leg up when you start your site.