What I'm really wondering is how the whole domain dropping business works. I know that there are a lot of scripts run by domain services like enom, Snapnames etc. that scoop up domains when they expire, but do all expired domains get grabbed or only ones with commercial appeal? Are there any tools out there that I can use to test how popular my expired domain is?
Thanks so much for your feedback.
how the whole domain dropping business work
You're not asking for much, are you? :P
Fast lesson: Call your existing domain registrar and ask their support personnel how the company processes lapsed/deleting domains. They should tell you if the domains "go to auction" and where OR if they simply are allowed to lapse.
If they lapse then you are at the mercy, whim or caprice of 1000s of domain aftermarket players, all running scripts, using drop catching services or even attempting to nab dropping domains via hand regs.
IF the domain means anything to you pay the redemption fee.
Sadly the Internet is a ruthless business and the tasters have nothing really to lose my grabbing names as they expire to see if there is any traffic and some of the scripts use the fact the website is indexed in Google and/or has links from other sites as being a possible valuable site.
Also it can take a long time (sometimes months) before the name even comes up for repurchase, during that time your email and website are not usable, so I agree with Webwork, pay the $100 fee.
