A Few Tips for Getting the Domain Name You Want

With so many web sites out there nowadays, it's may seem like a miracle when anyone gets the domain name they want. Although it's tempting to think that all the good names are taken, the reality is that there are a lot of possibilities for you to choose from, even when you take into account all the names already in use. If you can't get the name you want, you're probably not employing the right tactics. Here are a few tips for getting the perfect name for your site.



First and foremost, you should try to be original. There's a reason why Google, Amazon, Yahoo, and Twitter are among the biggest names on the web. All of those sites use original names that allow them to stick out from the crowd. An original name may not seem to make a whole lot of sense and it may not even be related to the site's content, but it sticks out and allows such sites to differentiate themselves from the rest. In a sea chock full of web sites, the ability for your domain name to stick out is a huge plus. If you're having trouble coming up with an original name, grab a dictionary, turn to random pages, and then pick words at random. Eventually, you'll find words or a combination of words that sound good. If you have your doubts about this particular strategy, keep in mind that many a great company has come up with their name just like this.



If you're not willing to compromise much on the name, consider altering it just slightly. For example, try using abbreviated words or adding dashes to the domain name, which are allowed. It may not be exactly what you wanted, but it will be pretty close. You might also want to try changing the extension. Although most people prefer the ".com" extension, the ".net' and ".org" extensions are also freely available and quite popular. There are also others like ".info" and ".biz" that are starting to gain in popularity too. Thanks to all of these different extensions, you can come close to getting the exact name you want.



If you're drawing a blank regarding potential domain names that aren't taken, you might want to consider purchasing a name that is taken. A name isn't necessarily unavailable if someone else has it because it can be sold just like anything else. Some are going to be more expensive than others though. To get an idea of what would be in store for you, type the name you want into your browser. If a full-featured web site comes up, prepare to spend a lot of money for the name. If a rudimentary site comes up, there's hope that you could get a good deal. In either case, use the WHOIS service to get a hold of the domain name owner. If they're willing to sell it and you're willing to pay, you could end up getting the exact name that you want.



Even if the owner hasprivate registration, you'll be able to get a hold of them using the WHOIS service. Perform a domain whois look-up if you want to purchase a name that's already in use.