With Ahrefs' free version, you can't check everything in detail, and domain rating (DR) alone isn't very reliable, as it can be manipulated. Instead, focus on the quality of the links pointing to the site. If a domain has a link from a site with a DR of 90, and that link comes from a relevant piece of content, it's a good indicator of quality.
Additionally, you can use a tool called the "Wayback Machine" (from Archive(dot)org). It keeps old snapshots of websites, allowing you to review a domain's past content. This helps you determine if the site had a good history. If everything checks out and the domain’s past looks strong, you can consider purchasing it.
To enhance your checks, consider:
- Check for Spam: Ensure the expired domain wasn’t used for spammy content in the past.
- Look for Niche Relevance: If the domain was in a niche relevant to your current goals, it’s a better fit.
- Age of Links: Check if the high-authority links are still live or dropped recently, as older, active links are mor
e valuable.