Where can I check if a domain name is available?

Published On: October 11th, 2020Categories: FAQ

Many people find choosing a domain name a daunting task. Not only do you have to come up with the right one, but with more than 350 million domain names already registered, finding one that’s not already taken can be a challenge.

Choosing Your Domain Name

Your domain name is someone’s pathway to you and your business, so it’s important that it’s unique, true to your business, and easy to read. When coming up with a domain name, keep theses tips in mind:

  • Use “.com” domains –  “.com” is memorable and is what users will type by default when searching for you.
  • Avoid hyphens or numbers
  • Keep it short
  • Try a domain generator for ideas – Nameboy is a great tool where you can type keywords to get instant domain recommendations.

Checking Your Domain Name’s Availability

Registering a domain name will give you ownership of it for a licensed period of time, but how do you know if it’s even available?

  • Who.is (https://who.is) is my go to resource for checking availability.
  • Hover.com (https://hover.com) is also a great place to check availability and look for alternatives if you first choice is already taken.

New Domain Extensions

The amount of top level domains, or domain extensions, has really increased in the past couple of years. Think outside the box, or .com, when looking for a domain. There is a whole list to choose from now – look for one that relates to your industry. Browse domain extensions at hover.com.

Ready to Register?

Our favorite registrar is hover.com. They include free privacy so your contact information is not published on the domain listing. Most other registrars charge for this.

Whoever you choose as your registrar, make sure you are the one registering it, not another company on your behalf. You, as the business owner, need to have control over that domain name. That is going to be the key to your website and email.

If you have questions about domain names, or how to register a domain name, do not hesitate to contact us

 

About the Author: Carla Baldwin

Carla Baldwin
Carla is the owner of Baldwin Web Design. She is the lead developer and project manager with over twenty years of professional experience in web development and digital marketing.