Webby
Mon 10 Mar 2008
I gave some advice some time ago about dumping a site after a few months if it was not performing and not bothering with re-registering the domain name. Move on I said!
However I have change my mind. Most domain names cost just a few dollars a year and the age of a site does seem to matter.
I have been running a site about the Great Wall of China for a few years and nearly sold it off last year as I never bothered updating it, the traffic was low and it made little money.
The site now has a number one ranking on Google for ‘greatwallofchina’ which quite a few people seem to type in!
I have done little to promote or get backlinks for this site yet it is still pulling in over 100 unique visitors a day, which is not too bad for a niche site thats rarely updated.
So is it the age of the site or the quality of the domain name / relevant country extension that is important here?
Either way it is hard to tell but there is two things to learn from this. The more websites you have the better and the age of the site seems to be significant in ranking so don’t neglect or let go of those early sites.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:08 am
But will that happen for websites that are not about the country where the summer Olympics are to be held in a few months?
March 11th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I think it is a brand of wine also in China. I definitely wouldn’t be selling unless it was for a bit of money.
BTW, would you mind linking to my Beijing site?
Pllllllllease!
March 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Sound advice. Age of domain definitely seems to be a key factor for Google ranking.
I like the site but think you are a bit harsh on tourists wishing to visit the Forbidden City. Quoting from the Beijing page of the site:
“The Forbidden City actually got its name because the Chinese emperors lived there and any lesser mortals entering without permission would be killed. Luckily this does apply today.”
As I’m one of those lesser mortals wanting to visit without permission, I’m hoping it should read, “Luckily this does NOT apply today.”
March 12th, 2008 at 5:28 am
Looks like a typo. Thanks for pointing that one out
March 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
There is a good chance you can be killed by the touts and postcard sellers.