How Does Namechk Work
- Start with several name ideas and type each one into the search bar.
- Namechk takes your username idea and checks its availability as a domain name and username on dozens of social channels and online platforms.
- If the name is available on a certain channel, the channel turns green. If the name is dim, its not available.
- No credit card necessary.
What Do I Do If The Website Name I Want Is Taken
If the domain name you want is already registered, you have a few options. First, check out the recommended, similar domain names in your search results to see if one of those works. You should also consider an available domain name with an extension other than .COM, such as .IO, .CLUB, or .ROCKS. There are hundreds of new TLDs to consider. If youre really set on securing your first choice of domain, find the current registrant using Whois Lookup and see if they are willing to sell it. Learn more
How To Choose A Domain Name
Since your domain name can have a major impact on your online presence, what you choose is a vital first step in building your brand. Finding the perfect domain name, however, can be challenging.
While its true that there are millions of domain names available, many of the popular domain names that are easy to remember are taken. Fortunately, you can still get what you need if you go through a simple process and use a bit of imagination.
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How Do We Check Whether The Domain Name We’ve Chosen Is Available
Lots of different companies can register domain names for you. Their search tools will usually let you check many domain extensions at once. Good places to start include:
You can also use online tools like Domainr, Domains Bot and Domain Name Soup to come up with ideas for your domain name.
Even if you are only planning to register one domain name, such as ourcompany.co.uk, it’s wise to check variations of this name such as those ending in .com, .ltd.uk, .plc.uk and so on.
If similar domains have been registered, make sure there is unlikely to be any conflict between you and the organisation that has registered them .
How To Legally Buy A Trademarked Domain
If you own a trademark, you own the right to its domain. If the domain name is registered already in bad faith by someone else, known as “cybersquatting,” you don’t need to pay to have the domain returned. Instead, you can pursue legal action, which is expensive and time-consuming, or use the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy from ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The UDRP is easier, less expensive and swifter than a lawsuit. You can also do both: file a lawsuit and pursue UDRP. In addition, if the domain name was registered but is unused, contact the original owner of the domain to legally transfer ownership.
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How To Sell Your Domain
Selling your domain is going to be a lengthy process, and you might not get any bids straight away. It depends upon the existing value of your domain and how well you market it. The process will differ from selling websites, however.
Below we cover the process of discovering the value of your domain name and hopefully selling it for a nice sum.
What Are Domain Name Extensions
You can choose among popular top-level domain extensions such as:
Or go with a local domain extension such as if you want to focus on building a presence in a specific country:
Also, theres a bunch of creative domain extensions, launched recently. You can try playing around with them to create a shorter, brandable name. For example:
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How Is It Decided Who Has The Best Claim To A Disputed Domain Name
Domain name administrators and registrars operate on a first-come first-served basis.
Over time, using a domain name will in itself establish some rights to that domain name, particularly if you also publicise that domain name .
However, the fact that someone has registered a domain name does not automatically mean that they have the best right to it. If the domain name incorporates a registered trademark, the owner of that trademark may well have stronger rights to the name.
In many cases, several businesses could have rights to a domain name, particularly when a domain name describes a product rather than using a company name or trademark.
Two other important factors come into play in many domain name disputes.
- You are more likely to win a dispute if you can show that the other party registered it in bad faith. Bad faith might include registering a domain name using your trademark in order to sell it to you , or to pass their website off as being related to your business.
- Large companies, with deep pockets, may be prepared to run up large legal bills pursuing a domain name. If faced with such an opponent, it may be in your interest to negotiate a settlement.
As disputes can be complex, you should take legal advice on your particular circumstances.
How Do I Buy A Domain Name
Congrats! You found an available name and youre ready to make it yours. Simply add the domain name to your cart and start the checkout process. During checkout, youll make some decisions like how many years youd like to register it for, if youd like to add site hosting, email, advanced security, auto-renewals, and other features.
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What Should We Do If Another Business Claims They Have The Right To One Of Our Domain Names
You need to assess the merits of their claim. You also need to think about the costs and likely outcome of any dispute resolution procedure or court case.
Faced with the threat of legal action by a large, well-funded company, smaller businesses often decide that their best course is simply to concede a disputed domain name and to negotiate appropriate settlement terms.
On the other hand, if you have invested significantly in building your internet presence, this may not be a satisfactory outcome and you may have a strong case for defending a claim.
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An Ounce Of Prevention For Domain Squatting
Its easier to avoid being the victim of a domain squatter than clean up afterward. Here are five tips to help prevent losing a domain in the future:
1. Register the domain you want before you need it
Act when you find the domain you want. Adding a domain to your cart does not prevent someone else from putting it in theirs. Domain squatters often buy recently searched domain names in hopes of selling it to the original searcher.
2. Register similar names
Consider buying domains with multiple extensions, such as .com, .co, .biz, etc., to prevent squatters from buying them. Research common misspellings of your domain and consider registering them as well.
3. Purchase domain ownership protection
GoDaddy offers Protected Registration to help ensure that you retain registration of your domain name, regardless of expiration dates or attempts to transfer.
4. Register a trademark
5. Be the owner of record
Prevent someone else from holding your domain hostage. If an employee or third-party registers a domain name on your behalf, make sure they do it in your name.
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What To Do If Your Trademarked Name Is Being Violated
If you learn that someone has registered a domain name that uses you or your businesss name, there are several federal laws that you may rely on to recover the domain.
Several of these federal laws govern trademark protections, while others provide protections against cybersquatting, even for those who are not trying to enforce a trademark.
At the federal level, there is the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act , which prohibits individuals or businesses from registering domain names in bad faith or for profit. Congress passed the ACPA to combat cybersquatting and it provides cybersquatting protections for trademarks, service marks, and certain individual names.
There is also 15 USC § 8131 , which focuses more on individuals who are victims of cybersquatting.
Cybersquatting is also addressed at the state level. California and New York have also passed their own cybersquatting laws, which we address below.
Minc Law Fact: There are several different types of cybersquatting. For example, typosquatting involves registering a slightly misspelled version of a commonly used domain name. This type of cybersquatting is often used to commit fraud, such as phishing. The ACPA prohibits typosquatting.
How To Claim A Domain Name And Secure Your Website Url
Did you come up with your company name and are working on your website? Reserve your name before someone else takes it! Heres how to claim a domain name and how to secure it.
Coming up with a domain name for your website can be confusing and time-consuming. Some people coin domain names from their names, but it does not always work well for businesses.
Once you have decided on a decent name, you need to claim it to prevent anyone else from taking it. You also need to protect it from possible disputes, trademark violations, and domain squatting.
The following guide on how to claim a domain name should help you understand the process.
Claiming a domain name requires strategy. Observe the following practices to invent an appropriate URL for your website.
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Dont Stunt Your Growth
When choosing a domain name, it pays to think ahead.
For example, you might want to avoid including the one product you sell now in your domain name if you plan to expand your product line in the future. Likewise, including a location is your domain name is a smart move if youre planning to do business locally but could stunt your online growth if youre planning to expand to new areas.
Give yourself room to grow.
What Is Domain Squatting
So, how can you tell what is domain squatting? Its important to note the difference between the legitimate practice of buying and selling of domain names and when it crosses the line. In short, it all comes down to intent. Domain name squatting is the act of purchasing a generic top-level domain to block someone else from registering it, to profit from reselling it, or for selling ads.
Domain squatting differs from domaining. By domaining, we mean buying domain names with potential value to any number of buyers based on habits, interests or trends. Then, the domain owner either auctions them on the domain aftermarket to the highest bidder or sells them through a domain broker.
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If Its Not Yours Its Probably Domain Squatting
General top-level domains based on copyrighted or trademarked words and phrases are protected under the Uniform Domain-Name Resolution Policy . This means that the owner of a copyright or trademark have claim on domains registered in bad faith.
Registering domains with intent to disrupt a competitor, profit from an assumed connection between the copyrighted or trademarked material and owner of the domain, or an attempt to block the rightful owner from registering the name themselves would each be considered acts of bad faith.
Verify Ownership Of Your New Domain
Paying for your domain might seem like the last step in the process, but you also need to verify your ownership. This step lets you send email using the domain and keeps other people from using it without your permission.
If you purchase your domain through Mailchimp, this process is simple. Youll receive a verification email after you complete your purchase. Simply click on the Verify Domain button in the email and follow the instructions on the next page, and you can start using your domain to build your brand. Youll only ever have to complete this step once.
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How Do I Claim My Domain Name Back
Domain name ownership can be a complex and confusing process, but its not impossible to reclaim a domain name if its been seized by a third party. To reclaim a domain name, youll first need to determine who owns the domain name and then take action to get the domain name back. Domain Name OwnershipTo reclaim a domain name, you first need to determine who owns the domain name.
How To Buy A Domain Name: Domain Registration Guide
What you need to know about domain names, how to choose the right one, and the steps to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
If you want to start a blog or a new online business, youll need to register a domain name, the name for your website. Getting the right domain for your needs might sound technical at first, but the process is pretty simple.
This domain registration guide will tell you what you need to know about domain name extensions, how to choose the right one for your needs, and the steps youll need to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
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The Domain Name I Want Isnt Available What Do I Do
Nowadays youd be considered lucky if you were to find the domain name you want on your first search. The fact is that many desirable domain names are already registered by businesses or individuals. Some individuals even register domain names with the intent of selling them to their rightful owner at an inflated price. This is known as cybersquatting.
The good news is that if you hold a trademark to a name that has been registered by someone else, you can challenge that reservation.
If your organization is new and you havent chosen a name yet, you may be able to buy the domain name you want if its for sale by the current registrant. Domain prices vary widely. If the domain name you want is prohibitively expensive, youll probably have to find an alternative name.
How Do I Claim A Domain Name
Domain name registration is a process that allows users to identify a unique name associated with a specific website or host. Domain name registration is a service that is provided by most web hosting providers. Domain name registration can be done through a number of different methods, including online, through an agency, or through a registrar.
Domain name ownership is a complex issue that can be easily complicated. Here are a few tips to help you claim ownership of a domain name:1. Verify the Domain Name is RegisteredThe first step is to verify that the domain name is registered.
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Consider What The Company Does
Your domain name can incorporate what you do. Think of a few keywords that represent your business, product, or services, and consider using one or two as part of your domain name. Try to think long-term though. If the company expands in a few years, will the descriptive words you selected still be relevant?
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How Do We Choose A Domain Name
Ideally, you want a domain name that reinforces your brand and is easy to remember. An obvious option is to base your domain name on the name of your company, a trading name you use, or a trade mark you have registered.
You will also need to decide which domain name extension to use . Most UK businesses use .co.uk or .com. An individual guessing your website address is most likely to try these endings.
However, there’s a growing number of domain extensions to choose from. These include eyecatching extensions like .london, .email or .today, plus industry-specific options like .photography, .accountants or .plumbing.
You can find a list of the different .uk extensions on the Nominet website. Nominet administers most UK domain names.
There’s also a complete list of domain extensions on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority website.
You may want to consider registering several domain names. For example:
- You might want to register a different domain for each of your brands.
- You may want to register domains with several different extensions. For example, ourcompany.com and ourcompany.co.uk. This makes it easier for customers to find your website, and helps stop anyone else registering domain names similar to yours.
- You may also want to register different spellings or common mis-spellings of your company or brand name.
- If you trade internationally, you may want to register the local versions of your domain name where possible.
What Happens To An Expired Domain Name
Expired domains usually go through 4 stages:
1. Expired Status & Grace Period
Domains that arent renewed first go into expired status. The domain registrar will pause all services but the owner has time to renew it.
This period can vary between 10-45 days.
During this period, the owner simply needs to pay the renewal fee to keep the domain.
If you want to find out the expiry date of a domain name, you can check the WHOIS database. Simply type in the name and youll see the domain details including the expiry date.
2. Domain Redemption Period
If the domain owner fails to renew the domain name during the grace period, it passes into the redemption zone.
The domain registration is canceled but its inaccessible to the public market. So no one will be able to register it.
If the domain owner chooses to renew the domain during this period, theyll have to pay a redemption fee + renewal fee to get back the domain name. For instance, Bluehost charges $70 redemption fee + the normal renewal fee.
3. Domain Auction or Public Market
Once the redemption period expires, the domain is now free to be auctioned to the highest bidder.
It could also just be released for registration on the public market.
These periods could vary so much that its hard to figure out when exactly youll be able to register the domain.
4. Backorders
You can think of a backorder like pre-ordering a product before its launched. So before the domain goes back on the public market, you can place a backorder.
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