What to do about all of the other domains we own?

[CodyWheeler]

So I had asked this question a while back in a previous thread and thought I had the correct answer to it, but just actually heard differently on a webinar by Dr. Pete.

Basically, we have a large number of domains that just replicate our website. Some are brand names, some are exact match keyword domains, some are clever plays on words. This is a tactic that our marketing department thought was a good idea. Obviously its not.

My question is - Some of these domains actually have a significant amount of link value coming into them. How people found them I'm not sure, but nonetheless, I want to try to take advantage of the incoming links somehow if possible.

Dr. Pete recommended against 301 redirecting back to our main domain all at once because that would be a signal to Google that something fishy is going on.

This is what I was going to do, but now I'm really not sure what to do now... If possible, it would be great to get Dr. Pete in this thread to get his comments.  I wasn't able to get an answer on the SEO in 2012 Pro Webinar.

[CodyWheeler]

Sounds like solid advice to me. I'm very glad I attended today. I was about to pull the trigger on 75+ redirects

Thanks for taking the time to Chime in Dr. Pete and thanks to Robert as well for the great answer.

[Dr-Pete]

"It's important not to go overboard with this approach. The content should always be top-notch so that these smaller sites still have significant value to the visitor."

Exactly. The Devil is in the details. Strong micro-sites with unique value can work. 500 carbon copies of your home-page are going to make a mess.

[CodyWheeler]

Thanks for the suggestion.

This may work for some, but we're not really looking to create any kind of mini-sites. With the way the trends are going it seems that having one property is going to be the way to go, unless there is a really good reason to separate your brands, which, in our case, there is not.

[Dr-Pete]

I think Robert's right - it's a matter of moderation. Sites change domains, for example, and 301-redirects are perfectly valid. Sometimes, sites consolidate and, again, that's natural. The problem is that people have also bought tons of domains and redirected them to game the system, so Google is watching.

The gradual approach is very sensible. You don't want to lose this link equity - absolutely agreed on that point. So, start with the most powerful sites and redirect one by one. Measure what happens and adapt along the way based on the data.

When you get to the weaker sites, it may be time to let them go (especially if they looks like duplicates). This isn't all or none. I'm definitely not saying to NEVER 301 or to always 301 - it's a balancing act. My fear is that if you do this with dozens of domains in one day, you'll get smacked down. So, ease into it.

[Domaining]

One approach that we have found to be successful is to build mini-sites on the other domains with links to the other sites. A platform like Wordpress makes this easy and you can give each site a different look-and-feel. Throw in a $27 logo from LogoNerds.com and you have a completely descent brand. Put a few pages of good content on the site and link back to your main site.

It's important not to go overboard with this approach. The content should always be top-notch so that these smaller sites still have significant value to the visitor. Often adding things like video can help here both in helping the visitor and increasing their time on your site.

Hope this helps - I think this is my first time on the forum but I thought it was time I dove in!

All the best,

Morgan

[EGOL]

I would listen to DrPete. It's conservative advice.

[CodyWheeler]

Seems solid to me. Kinda what I was thinking, but also looking forward to other replies. This seems to be something there is a lot of confusion about. Appreciate the input Robert.

[RobertFisher]

Cody

Well, since I have accepted his advice in the past I should agree with Dr. Pete again. That said, why not take it one step at a time. I have done this with one client (three sites redirected to one over time). First, take whichever other domain you decide on and redirect it url to url to your main site. Sit on that a month or so and then do the same with site two. Again, wait a while, then redirect another.

To me, I do not see where it would present a problem done this way. You state that [some of the domains have a significant amount of link value] and this would seem to say others do not. If that is true and ultimately you are only going to redirect 3 or 4, I do not think it would be a red flag to OZ...I mean Google.

Looking forward to other responses.