Greetings everyone,

The client owns an unused domain that has not been indexed anywhere. They registered it a year ago with the intention of using it in the future, and set up a 301 redirect to a foreign colleague's site.

The question now arises as to whether it is worthwhile to use this domain for their new site, given that it has been redirected to another site for the past year.

In my opinion, it may be more beneficial for the client to choose a new domain for their new site rather than risking potential confusion and loss of traffic due to the previous redirect. However, they could also consider reviewing the analytics of their foreign colleague's site to determine if any traffic was being directed towards the client's domain during the redirect period.

No adverse consequences will result from implementing a 301 redirect.

It is completely safe to create a new website, as the speed of indexing and search engine visibility on Google, Bing, and Yandex will be comparable to a brand new domain.

It's important to remember that 301 redirects are a common practice for website optimization, especially when migrating to a new URL structure or consolidating pages. However, it's always best to ensure that the redirect is set up properly to avoid any potential negative impacts on search engine rankings.

I will ask here too, so as not to create a new thread:
What if the domain was registered a year ago, but it did not have anything at all? Now is it better to use it or register a new one?

Quote from: Guess jr. on Sep 14, 2022, 12:14 PMBut is it worth it, since a year was redirected to another site?

Decide will content, what you fear - it is a mirage, can have a negative impact only filter, but it does not give for 301 redirect.
I would raise a year old domain, age has never been superfluous.
Riamoto, you have an excellent option in general.

In addition to reviewing the analytics of their colleague's site, the client should also consider the following factors:

1. Branding and Consistency: If the client decides to use the existing domain, they need to ensure that it aligns with their brand identity and overall messaging. If the previous redirect does not fit with their new site's purpose and content, it might be better to choose a new domain that better represents their brand.

2. SEO Considerations: The client should evaluate the impact of the redirect on search engine optimization (SEO). If the redirected domain has limited or no indexed presence, it may not have much SEO value. Starting fresh with a new domain can give the client an opportunity to optimize their site from the beginning and potentially improve rankings.

3. Backlink Profile: Another aspect to consider is the backlink profile of the existing domain. If the redirected domain has accumulated quality backlinks over time, it could bring some SEO benefits to the new site. However, assessing the quality and relevance of these backlinks is crucial to avoid any negative impact on search rankings.

4. User Experience and Trust: Using a domain that has been redirected to a different site for a year could create confusion among users. Visitors may expect to find the content that was previously hosted on the redirected domain. This could lead to a poor user experience and a drop in trust. A new, dedicated domain can help establish a fresh start and build trust with users.

Creating a new website on a redirected domain can have both benefits and drawbacks. It depends on several factors that the client should consider before making a decision:

1. Domain Authority: If the redirected domain has built up a good level of domain authority over time, it can potentially give the new website a head start in terms of search engine rankings. Domain authority is a measure of the overall strength and credibility of a domain, and having an established redirected domain can positively impact SEO.

2. Backlink Profile: The backlinks pointing to the redirected domain can also play a role in SEO. If these backlinks are high-quality and relevant, they can provide a boost to the new website's rankings. However, if the backlinks are of low quality or irrelevant to the new site's content, they may not be beneficial.

3. Relevance and Continuity: Consider whether the redirected domain aligns with the new website's purpose and content. If there is a strong connection and continuity between the previous content on the redirected domain and the new website, it may make sense to use the existing domain. However, if the redirected domain is unrelated or creates confusion, it may be better to use a new domain that better represents the brand.

4. User Perception: Think about how users may perceive a website that was previously redirected. Will they expect to find the same content as before? Will they be confused by the change? Considering user experience and maintaining trust is crucial when deciding whether to create a new website on a redirected domain.

5. Technical Considerations: Ensure that the redirect is properly set up, and there are no technical issues that could impact the new website's performance. Review the redirect settings, potential crawl errors, and any other technical aspects that could affect SEO and user experience.

It's crucial to assess whether any link equity was built during the redirect. If the domain hasn't been indexed, it may not carry significant authority. I recommend starting fresh with a new domain to establish a clean slate. This way, your client can avoid any negative associations and fully control their branding and SEO strategy without the baggage of the past.

Building a new website on a redirected domain may be advantageous if the domain already has relevant content, high-quality backlinks, and authority. Maintaining link equity and SEO rankings can be achieved by properly implementing 301 redirects. However, there might not be much of an SEO boost if the domain is new or has a weak backlink profile. To optimize relevance and prevent penalties, make sure the redirected domain fits the niche of your website.