Sell Domain or Let It Expire?

[kriskd]

I bought a domain name & hosting for my website the end of April. Then about mid-June a much more desireable domain name because available which I purchased as fast as I could, bought hosting and placed a redirect page on my old domain name.

Because domain #1 was only around for less than 2 months, it was pretty easy to get people to change their links to my new domain. Obviously anyone who linked to me during that brief time was a consciences webmaster who wanted to keep their links up to date and were happy to update it for me.

My old domain name shows 57 incoming links on marketleap.com and has a PR of 3. Basically all that's left out there for link sources is guest book entries and FFA link sites.

My question is, is it worth trying to sell this domain name? I have no desire to renew it next April since at this point I'm getting very little redirect traffic from it. Also, my current webpage has placed very well in search engine results so I just no longer have a need for the old one.

If I try to sell it, my only concern is the domain name (applies to both the old and current) can have a pornographic connotation. Would I want to sell this domain name to a porn peddler and perhaps have children clicking on this domain name where the link is still posted with my family-friendly description?

Thoughts?

Kris

[richlowe]

If I try to sell it, my only concern is the domain name (applies to both the old and current) can have a pornographic connotation. Would I want to sell this domain name to a porn peddler and perhaps have children clicking on this domain name where the link is still posted with my family-friendly description?

Sounds to me like you've already answered your own question.

[kriskd]

I would still like to hear opinions on the ethics of selling the domain name. Should I even care that it may be redirected to a porn site?

I am still hoping on some input as to whether it would be worthwhile to attempt to sell it based on the PR and link popularity.

Thanks.

[Speeeedy]

Hmmm.. it all depends on the probability of how often people would mistake your website, for the one hosting porn, IF it becomes a porn portal at all.

What measures would you take to prevent any confusion?

--Jim---

[kriskd]

The old domain that I won't be renewing is 11 characters plus dot net (.net). My current domain name that I am successful with and have renewed for several years is the old name less 3 characters. So, it is 8 characters plus the dot net (I have been unable to get the .com version of my domain name, but that's a different subject all together.).

So, let's say the 11-character domain name does become a porn portal either by sale of the name or letting it expire and someone who is saavy realizing the built-in PR it comes with plus existing links out there buying it as new. Yes, it is close to my 8-character name, but I guess I'm not too worried about confusion. My current domain name is often mistaken for a porn site as is, and when someone clicks it, they are relieved to find out it's not what they thought.

My concern is should I CARE that this might happen, or treat this as a business transaction and sell it to the highest bidder to so speak? Like I said, for the 2 months is was active, I did make a lot of effort to get it out there, but also made as much effort to get people to change it when I got my new domain name. Now, it is just in guest books and directories.

But, before this can even be addressed, I'd be interested in hearing people's success on selling domain names. Should I even bother with it or just let it expire? Like I said, it has a PR of 3 and over 50 incoming links according to Marketleap. Not impressive, but better than starting from scratch.

Thanks,
Kris

[ken_b]

Hmmmm... I think I'd extend the registration for as long as possible and just let it sit idle, or use it for some related purpose.

The cost of sitting on a domain name is small, considering some of the other situations that could develop I suppose.

[Speeeedy]

As a business move it would bring profit to your table.. I'm sure someone would snatch up that opportunity since it wouldn't be starting from scratch for them. Can you give me a note with your URL? I've sold quite a few domains in the past and I could give you a basic appraisal of it's potential, if you want.

If you decide to sell that name, you should put out a newsletter to your current visitors, if you have that kind of thing, and also put a notice somewhere on current site, saying along the lines of, "NEWS: Our old domain name is up for sale. It will go to the highest bidder, without regard to the intentions of the highest bidder."

--Jim---

[kriskd]

Jim,

I have "stickyed" you the old domain name. Thanks for your time in offering a quick appraisal.

Kris

[mcavill]

I didn't think the new owner of the domain would benefit from any pre-existing links any more, message #10 - [webmasterworld.com...]

[kriskd]

I still own the domain until April, 2004. What if I found a buyer and transferred it to her. Then would the buyer still retain the PR and backlinks?

Kris

[kriskd]

Well, I found a free domain appraisal service and submitted my domain name. It is a human, but of course he's looking to sell something too. For what it's worth, my domain name appraised at $150. Perhaps I could consider purchasing another appraisal and then get ready to sell it.

Kris