I need help in deciding whether to buy this domain name or not

Business
1

I am starting a new company related to the industry I am currently involved in (screen printing, graphic printing, etc). I just happened to run across a webname for sale that would be a great, brandable name. It is 2 words, easily pronounced and spelled, but there’s more:

This webname was related to a company that went out of business about 2 years ago. This company was in business many many years, and was a “juggernaut” so to speak. For some reason, I guess they just couldn’t keep up, so went belly-up.

There are thousands of companies in this industry (that could be potential clients), that would recognize this webname. My question is, could this be a detriment, with so many people knowing this company went belly-up? (It was about 2 years ago).

The website was started in 1996, so the domain has some age to it, which I assume is an advantage.

The asking price is about $1200.

BTW…the business I would be doing would be related, but nowhere near the size and number of products of the previous company.

2

Good question.

From a branding perspective, I personally wouldn’t re-use the domain name for your website. People tend to have long memories and if the former printing business burnt anyone during their demise, which is highly likely, you don’t want to be associated with those hard feelings.

You may, however, get some benefit from purchasing the domain name and redirecting it to your new website domain. If there have been links to the old domain left around the place you may be able to pick up some targeted traffic.