Method #1. Use A WHOIS Lookup to Find Domain Registration Date
Probably one of the most reliable ways to check the age of an e-commerce website is by checking the domain’s registration date.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a techie to do this.
You simply need to use the WHOIS tool (there are plenty of them out and they’re absolutely FREE to use).
This will show you when a domain name was first registered and by whom.
You simply enter the store’s URL into the WHOIS tool.
It then returns the creation date, expiration date, and registrar.
For example, a tool like “What’s My DNS?” can tell you the exact date a site launched Global DNS Checker.
If you see a registration date just weeks ago, you’d want to proceed with caution.
New domains have not built any track record. A fresh domain can signal a fly-by-night operation.
Many fraudsters spin up new sites for a quick scam and then vanish.
Domains older than two or three years, on the other hand, have established SEO data and backlinks that build credibility.
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Method #2: Check Historical Snapshots on the Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine archives web pages over time. It has captured over 866 billion pages since 2001.
For starters, the Wayback Machine simply refers to a digital archive of the World Wide Web that allows you to view past versions of any website, even if it doesn’t exist on the live Web anymore.
To use this tool:
1. Go to web.archive.org and enter the store’s URL.
2. Browse the calendar view to see when snapshots first appear.
3. If the first snapshot is very recent, the site may be brand new.
This particular method is quite helpful as it lets you see how a site looked months or years ago.
A genuine store will often show older product pages, blog posts, or layout changes.
If you notice sudden changes, like a completely new design with no earlier snapshots, it could signal a risky new venture.
Method #3: Inspect the SSL/TLS Certificate Start Date
Every site with HTTPS has an SSL certificate that includes a “valid from” date.
And this makes it a useful tool for telling the age of an e-commerce website when conducting due diligence.
You can view it right in your browser:
1. Simply click the padlock icon next to the URL bar.
2. Select “Certificate” or “Valid.”
3. Look at the “Not Before” field for the issue date The SSL Store.
If the certificate was issued extremely recently, the owner may be trying to appear secure while not having a long history.
Method #4: Verify Business Registration with Official Registries
Legitimate e-commerce stores often operate under a registered business name.
Governments do a good job of maintaining public registries where you can confirm a company’s formation date.
For instance, in the U.S., each state has a Secretary of State database. You can check this Wikipedia post for more info on the list of official business registers for links to each state’s site.
If you’re in the U.K., you can use Companies House search.
Many other countries are also highly likely to be offering similar portals.
When looking up a store on these registries, you just enter the store’s business name or the domain name.
If you find a matching entry with a registration date, you know the business has been active since then.
Conclusion
Verifying the age of an e-commerce store takes just a few minutes, and you just need to use FREE, publicly available tools. These include WHOIS records, Wayback Machine, inspecting the SSL certificate start date, and confirming business registration. Using 1-3 of these methods will give you a clear timeline. When you verify an e-commerce store's age, you lower your risk of falling for scams and ensure you make a safe investment.
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We Help You Buy / Build, Manage and Scale E-commerce Brands for an EXIT
E-commerce Simplified for Busy Individuals – We handle the buying, building, and scaling, so you can focus on what matters.
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