I started an expiring domain test at the start of 2020. In the first post I outlined the process of purchasing the domain name, replenishing the websites content and making the website live. This was so the site retained its existing URL structure and kept its backlinks.
Initially after re-instating the website and getting it re-indexed, the links initially dropped from Ahrefs and Google Search Console. I confess I did temporarily panic that the links would not reappear, but after waiting patiently, sure enough the links returned in Ahrefs and Search Console.
Ahrefs Ranking
As you can see from the below screenshot, the past few months have seen the websites Ahrefs ranking increase.
The URL rating, domain rating, number of backlinks, referring domains and organic keywords have all increased.
Google Analytics Organic Traffic Stats
Google Search Console Overview
After starting this expiring domain case study series in February, at the end of the last post I set clear, specific goals for what I wanted to achieve before the next post. Here’s a recap of those:
- Complete in depth keyword research.
- Create a content strategy.
- Add 10,000 words of content.
- Improve the website and bring it into 2020 – at the moment it’s just text.
- Monitor internal links.
- Optimise existing content.
- Add my affiliate links across the site. (Currently they are still pointing towards the previous owner.)
How many of those tasks have I achieved? Tasks with a strikethrough have been accomplished.
Complete in depth keyword research.Create a content strategy.- Add 10,000 words of content.
Improve the website and bring it into 2020 – at the moment it’s just text.- Monitor internal links.
Optimise existing content.Add my affiliate links across the site. (Currently they are still pointing towards the previous owner.)
As you can see I have not added as much content as I would have liked.
In total I have added 2,453 words to the website since the last post. This is not enough content to get the site ranking again. So I have decided to outsource some content writing each month going forward. I also need to evaluate the internal links on the website.
Tasks for the next month are:
- Add at least 10,000 words of content to the website according to keyword research.
- Analyse internal linking structure and alter accordingly.
- Optimise existing posts.