Good afternoon, comrades!

As a webmaster, I recently started working in a new office and was given the responsibility of managing the company's online presence. To my surprise, upon checking the domain names, I discovered that they were registered to another company, or rather, the same company under a different name.

I see three possible solutions to this issue:

1) We could choose to pay for the existing domains, knowing that they will still be registered under the "dead soul" company, and hope that our competitors do not discover this.

2) Another option is to cancel the existing domains and re-register them under the new company's name.

3) Alternatively, we could purchase similar domain names and set up redirects to our current website, thereby avoiding the potential issues with the existing domains.

I'd like to hear from those who have dealt with similar situations before. What are the chances of successfully re-registering the existing domains? Is it a viable option?

In terms of the third solution, I'm particularly interested in hearing from experienced individuals about the potential impact on SEO and search engine rankings. Will implementing a series of 301 redirects affect our site's ranking? Should we carry out these changes all at once or gradually? Additionally, can we choose not to renew the old domain after setting up the redirects?

I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights based on your experiences.

Thank you.

Regarding the first solution, paying for the existing domains could provide a quick fix, but it's essential to consider the potential risks associated with having the domains registered under a different company name. This could lead to legal complications in the future and may not be a sustainable solution in the long term.

The second option of canceling the existing domains and re-registering them under the new company's name seems like a straightforward approach. However, it's important to ensure that the previous registration was legitimate and that there won't be any issues with reclaiming the domains. Additionally, there might be a temporary loss of online visibility during the transition period, so a thorough plan for managing this is necessary.

The third solution of purchasing similar domain names and setting up redirects can be a strategic way to work around the existing domain issue. However, it's crucial to consider the impact on SEO and search engine rankings. Implementing 301 redirects can preserve the SEO value of the old domain by passing it to the new domain, but it's essential to plan the redirects meticulously to avoid any negative impact on rankings. Gradual implementation of redirects and monitoring of search engine performance can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of this approach.

In terms of renewing the old domain after setting up the redirects, it's generally advisable to keep the old domain active to maintain the integrity of the redirects. However, if there are specific reasons not to renew the old domain, it's important to consult with legal and SEO experts to mitigate any potential issues.

I would advise you to consider using a 301 redirect as the most suitable option. It will take about six months for everything to stabilize, so be cautious. This is especially important in anticipation of any potential sanctions that may arise during that time. Additionally, it's advisable to register the domain under a gtld (.com, .net, .org) to avoid a similar situation in the future.
If you are considering re-registering a domain, keep in mind that after its expiration, it will remain in the NOT DELEGATED status for a month, during which it will be removed from search engine indexes. Simultaneously, it will be available on an auction hosted by a new registrar, where your peers may acquire it before you do.

I would suggest that you review the liquidation balance sheet in your current circumstances. This document should outline the allocation of the remaining assets, including any domains, among the stakeholders of the company. Additionally, it's important to clarify whether the company underwent a formal liquidation process. There is a possibility that what occurred was a reorganization rather than a liquidation, based on my intuition. Could you confirm whether there was a formal liquidation, and have you considered the implications of a potential reorganization?