To create an internet presence, a domain name is the foundation and the first step that anyone takes.
Whether you're going to launch an E-commerce website, personal blog site, or business website, the first thing you will consider is the domain name and its registration. It is your online identity by which people search and remember your site; for instance, Websouls.com is a domain name.
But before starting the process of domain registration, you must check if the domain is available or not. Fortunately, there are some trusted tools that help in checking domain availability to avoid any legal issues.
Scroll down as we discuss everything about the website domain, check its availability, and give you suggestions on what to do if the domain name has already been taken.
What Does Domain Name Availability Mean?
Before finalizing the domain name, it is very important to check the domain status. Imagine spending hours and days to come up with a domain name, and later, when you check, the name has already been taken.
So, always conduct a domain availability search to check if the name has already been taken or not. Domain availability means that your selected name is free, and no one has picked it yet; you can use this domain name without worries.
However, if the domain name that you’ve chosen is already being used, then DO NOT use the registered domain. Instead, pick the name from available domains and build your unique online presence.
Why Is Checking Domain Name Availability Crucial?
Checking domain name availability isn’t just a formality but a crucial step that helps you avoid many legal issues while maintaining your unique brand identity.
After domain selection, whether you are going to launch a personal site or a business website, it is important to check its availability, and here’s why:
It helps you avoid legal issues. If you use a domain name without researching its availability, the person who actually owns that name can become troublesome for you.
Secondly, you should come up with a unique identity people can recognize you with. If you use the same domain name that has already been used by another business, then you should rethink your brand identity. Domain name choice must be memorable, unique, and easy to remember, which can attract an audience.
Avoid delays in online branding by picking a unique and available domain name. If you choose a domain name that is not available and taken, then the process of domain registration can take longer. So, to avoid all this fuss, pick a domain name wisely and verify its availability prior.
Check if a Domain is Available
There are some tools to check available domain names that have made the checking process fast and easier. However, it is important to use a domain checker before finalizing the name.
Domain Name Registrars
You can check it using domain name registrars such as:
- Websouls
- GoDaddy
- Namecheap
- Google Domains
The process of checking domain availability is simple.
- Open the tool
- Enter the domain name you want to check
- The tool will instantly tell if it is taken or free
Moreover, if the domain name is already taken, these tools will suggest slightly different names with different extensions. You can choose according to your choice.
Online Domain Search Tools
Then you can also check the domain name availability using online domain search tools. These are:
- InstantDomainSearch
- Domainr
These tools instantly check the status of the domain name. Moreover, these are also called third-party tools, widely used for giving alternative suggestions on the spot. They will also give you suggestions with multiple extensions.
WHOIS Lookup
There is another one of the famous domain tools, WHOIS lookup to check the availability of the domain name. The unique feature of this tool is that if the domain name is already taken, it can tell you exactly who owns the domain. Moreover, if there’s no privacy set by the owner, the tool can also tell you the domain name details and when it's going to expire. However, if the domain has not been registered yet, you can purchase it and make it yours.
What to Do If the Domain Name is Already Taken?
If the domain name has already been taken, there are plenty of options you can try. These are:
Alternatives Domain Extensions
You can use your domain name with alternative domain extension options. For instance, if xyz.com has already been taken, you can use xyx.org, xyz.pk, xyz.co, xyz.ai, and so on. Well, it also depends on your business demands.
Modify Domain Name
If the selected domain name is being used by another business, you can slightly do variations in the name, and there you go.
For instance, if you want cakeshop.com, but it is taken, try a name with a domain alternative such as myckaeshop.com, bestcakeshop.com, freshcakeshop.com, etc. But remember to make slight modifications while keeping the original name's meaning.
Domain Auctions
If you don’t want to reach out to the owner directly, then in the domain market, there are platforms where you can buy domain names from the owner by domain auctions. These are Sedo, GoDaddy auctions, and Flippa. Domain brokers handle the whole process, and they know exactly how to negotiate to get the best possible price.
Reach Out to the Domain Owner
It is another way to buy the domain if it is not available at the moment. You can send an email to the domain owner or call him directly. But keep in mind that you must be very professional and direct about what you want and also be ready to do negotiation.
Tips for Choosing a Domain Name
Always choose a domain name that is short, easy to remember, and reflects your brand identity. Below are some tips for choosing a domain name:
Keep It Simple
Your domain name must be unique and creative, but at the same time, it should be simple and short. People quickly memorize the shorter domain names that increase the chances of your recognition among the targeted audience.
Consider SEO
While working on domain name ideas, make sure that it also fulfills the requirements of SEO. It must have keywords for your site where needed. SEO domain names have higher chances of ranking on search engines, and they are more visible than other sites.
Consider Your Brand
Besides choosing a memorable domain name, it must reflect your brand identity. If your website is about the food business, you should select the domain name accordingly rather than selecting a random word.
Conclusion
Hence, choosing the right domain is the most important step for maintaining a unique online presence. However, before registering a domain, always follow domain availability steps using tools mentioned above.
Moreover, if the domain name is already taken, then consider alternate options such as modifying the domain name, using different extensions, or securing a domain through domain auctions.
So, buy an affordable domain name with Websouls today and take a step towards a successful and unique online journey.
