Domain Name Registration : Domain Name Search (How to)

Searching for good domain names can be pretty frustrating these days because everybody has a website. More than 100 million domains have already been registered. So what are you going to do? Below are some helpful tips to serach for your perfect domain name.

1. Searching for a domain name.
The best place I've found to locate domain names is DirectNic. Just like other registration services you can tell you if a site is taken, and by whom. The difference is it is easy to use and organize domain names and switch DNS when needed ASAP. They usually get it done within a day. It also offers variations of the name that are available, with different extentions (.com, .net, .info, etc.) and a variety of other domain and web hosting services. When you find a name you want, you can purchase it straight from them. It generally costs $15 a year to register a new domain name.

You can also search for pre-owned names at Afternic.com, Sedo.com and BuyDomains.com. Each has a large inventory of names that can be searched by category. Unlike finding an unregistered name, these names will often run in the hundreds to thousands of dollars, because you are buying them from a person or company that has already purchased the domain name. Lastly, you find names that will be expiring soon at SnapNames.com. If you find a name you like, and you have the time to wait, you can pick up the domain name you want when it expires.

2. Get the .com extension if possible.
Don't be to eager to take the available .net or a hyphenated version of your business name. You'll likely regret this decision as future customers default to the .com address. After all everybody automatically looks for .com first. This can be a costly mistake in terms of customer confusion, and you'll spend to much time explaining to your clients about the .net or hyphen. Be patient and get a domain name that's unique.

3. Be creative.
The simple one-word domain names are either gone or tremendously expensive. So if you think the name Paradigm or Pinnacle is cool. If you insist on using a common name, then look for an ending, such as:

  - Group
  - Inc
  - Agency
  - Systems
  - Global
  - Solutions

You can also try adding an industry-specific add on:

  - Media
  - Medical
  - Tech
  - Capital

Even if these endings are available as a .com domain name, a competitor might have used the same strategy to obtain a very similar name. It's better to go one step further and create a domain name is unique.

4. Consider using a phrase.
In a rush to come up with short domain names, phrases get overlooked. An example domain name search is using a phrase is Harbour House Crabs. Found the phrase ILoveCrabs.com and secured the domain as their primary e-commerce site.