Choose The Best Domain Name Option
When youre checking for available domain names, youll often find that your first, second, and tenth choices are already taken. Some of the different approaches you can take when this happens are:
- Keep searching. Let your creative juices flow, and continue to search until you find something you love or at least like.
- Choose another extension. If the .com isnt available and youre set on a certain name, consider the .net or .org if you think it will work.
- Reach out to the owner. Maybe the domain is already owned, but its not being put to much use. You could reach out to the owner with an offer.
How To Buy A Domain Name That Is Taken
Do you have a business idea and are ready to buy a domain name to start dominating online with your business? What if the dream domain name that you want is taken?
Maybe the domain name is already registered to someone else, and youve found decent alternatives, but its not really the one you want. Youre probably thinking about how to buy a domain name from someone else.
From a marketing perspective, having the right domain is especially important and you dont want to settle for an unworthy alternative. Using a different TLD can also confuse potential website visitors who might try to visit the .com when you own the .net version of a domain.
Dont worry! You might be able to buy your ideal domain name directly from its current owner. Heres how the process works for how to buy a domain name from someone that is already taken.
How To Buy A Domain That Is Owned
Isnt it frustrating when you come up with the perfect name for your business and then, after you run a search, find out that the domain name it already taken? And whats worse, the owner doesnt seem to be using it?
While you cant make someone give up a domain they own, there are things you can do so dont abandon hope just yet. Follow the steps below and you might just get the domain youve always wanted.
Don’t Miss: How To Increase Domain Authority Fast
What Not To Do
In my experience and talking to hundreds of entrepreneurs in my Instagram DMs and through my YouTube video comment sections, there are two main things you dont want to do:
- Do not buy domains that target people based on a socioeconomic level.
- Do not buy domains that could lead to a licensing issue or lawsuit.
Hands down, these are the two that come up the most for big no-nos in the domain flipping community.
Making An Offer For A Domain Name
Now that you have the owners email address, your next step is to make an offer. As the one who needs something, you may want to be polite in your approach. For example, dont tell them that they have no right to the name because they havent setup a website for the domain name. They may just be using it for their email addresses.
You can let them know that you are interested in the domain name, and you may want to make an offer or even haggle. Prepare yourself for some rather outrageous prices. Many people tend to overestimate the value of their domain name, and some may even have already turned down other offers before.
If youre lucky, you can agree on a price, have it transferred to you and you can use it for your own purpose. If not, then perhaps you can use a brokerage service like Sedo. These services can buy the domain name you want and the fee will then depend on how much they got the domain name for, if they are able to get it at all.
Recommended Reading: How Much To Purchase A Domain Name
Also Check: How To Keep Your Domain Name
Best Tips Before Buying A Domain Name
Having a good domain name is essential since it can add extra credibility to a website, spread brand awareness, and ensure that users can find you on the internet. Thats why its crucial to dedicate some time to research before choosing the right domain name for your site.
Here are 15 tips to review before deciding on a domain name:
Connect Your Domain To A Cms
This is an optional step but can help you manage your website with ease. A CMS, or content management system, gives you full mastery over your content. It’s easier now more than ever to connect your CMS to your domain name with HubSpot’s Custom Domain Connection.
With this tool, you can connect a custom domain, establish your brand, and create a beautiful user-friendly website in minutes.
Also Check: Is WordPress A Domain Host
Why Is My Domain Taken
Some businesses or entrepreneurs make a living on domaining. They purchase a list of domain names to make money by following current trends, interests, or habits. For instance, if someone purchased www.KanyeforPresident.com, theyd be domaining on the chance that Kanye West will actually run for President of the United States in 2020.
A domainer takes a small risk by investing in the domain and paying for its annual fee, but theres no promise he or she will be able to profit from that domain. In this case, someone domaining is betting on the chance that Kanye West, a big star with millions of dollars, would pay him or her thousands to secure that domain name.
Determine Your Spending Limit
Before you even start the negotiation process after youve found the owner, you want to think about the budget you have in mind. Make sure you think about what the owner went through, too. If they are actively using the domain to promote their business and have spent their time and money building a website, then youll want to make them a fair offer that reflects the domains value.
If you partner with a domain broker they can tell you what the domain is actually worth. Theyll conduct a valuation of the domain and can provide you with their estimate of a fair price. You can then use that to make a great offer the domain owner cant refuse.
Read Also: How To Tell Who Owns A Domain Name
How To Acquire An Existing Domain Name
Having an appealing and easy-to-remember domain name is very important for the success of your website. The domain should also match the site content and/or your brand name. What happens if the desired domain is not available, though? Rebranding is not really an option. You can simply choose a different name, but you can also try to acquire the domain you originally wanted from its current owner. In this article, we will look at the different options you have to do that.
Check what content the domain opens
This is the first step we recommend that you take as it is the easiest way to see if a registered domain is really in use. If you see an active website, check if there were any recent updates on it. If this is the case, it will be less likely that the current owner will sell the domain, or if they are willing to do that, they will probably ask for a higher price. If there arent recent updates, there is a better chance that the owner may sell the domain, but there is no guarantee for that. In any case, the best option will be to contact them and find out if they will sell the name.
If the domain opens a parking page, it was probably registered by a person or a company that buys and sells domains. If this is the case, the name you want is probably listed on a domain marketplace. Sometimes you will see the price the person/company asks for right on the parking page, as well as a direct link to the marketplace.
GDPR
If Its Not A Parked Domain Find The Owners Contact Information
If you find that the domain has a fully built-out site, then its not a parked domain. The domain is being used by a real business. Luckily, you still have recourse if you want to buy the domain.
First, determine how likely it is for the owner to sell the domain to you. Does the website look like its been recently updated? Is it under construction? How many snapshots does it have on the Wayback Machine? If the website looks outdated or has just a few Wayback Machien snapshots, its more likely youll successfully start a conversation with the owner.
For example, the domain mellowbee.com looks like a good candidate because its had only a few Wayback Machine snapshots over the years and the current website is made up of one page.
The owners email is at the bottom, so its easy to reach out.
If you cant find the owners contact information on the site, try searching for the owner through ICANN. Keep in mind that a good portion of domain name owners hide their contact information for privacy reasons.
Don’t Miss: How To Transfer Your Domain
Secure Matching Social Media Handles
Getting social media handles that match up with your website will help to establish your brand online. Even if you dont plan on using the social media platform right away it can be helpful to lock down specific usernames.
If the branded version of the username is already taken, then trying adding a qualifier to the end of it. Getting an exact match isnt the most important thing, but try and get it as close as possible.
For every social media profile, it can be helpful to try and match your usernames across various accounts. This will make it easier for your fans to find you across different platforms.
Make It Brandable Not Generic
Creative, memorable domain names are always better than generic ones. After all, your domain name is how people will find, remember, and spread the word about your business on the internet. Its much better to have something that aligns with your brand instead of a domain name thats made up of a bunch of general keywords.
For example, can you tell the difference between cheapcarinsurance.com and affordableautoinsurance.com? Which one would you trust when it comes to buying insurance? Probably neither. Both sound a little spammy, and theyre terribly generic.
On the other hand, youll probably know where the domain names progressive.com or geico.com are going to point you to. Those companies have invested in their brands, and theyve used them in their domain names. You can trust that these sites are legitimate.
Even if you havent built up trust and loyalty yet, you can start by choosing a strong domain name that fits your brand.
Don’t Miss: Which Domain Host Is The Best
Other Important Factors To Help You Determine The Value Of The Domain:
- Is it a.com, .co.uk, .ukor any other popular TLD?
- Is it short, catchy and memorable? Shorter names are more convenient for users, as theyre faster to type and less prone to typing errors.
- Is it easy to pronounce?
- Does it include a keyword? Does the domain have the keyword at the beginning? This could make it more pricy.
- How old is it? A long-established domain tends to be more valuable.
- What is the selling price of similar domains?
The price can also vary depending on , for example. If the domain is old, has quality backlinks and a good reputation over time, then expect to pay more. So you need to do your homework and take all these things into consideration when negotiating the price. Of course, you can also use a tool like Estibot to get an idea on how much a domain would cost.
When Should I Buy A Domain Name
The best time to register a domain depends on your project and urgency. However, its better to purchase it right away before a competitor claims the web address.
According to Verisign, there were over 363 million website domain registrations across all TLDs at the end of the first quarter of 2021. This figure is likely to grow each year as the number of people and businesses that compete to get a great domain name is increasing.
Moreover, many entrepreneurs consider domain names to be digital assets they buy plenty of good URLs as investments and wait for their value to increase before reselling the domains further down the road.
If you want to start a new online business but have no time to build an eCommerce site, then register a domain now and make a website later to reserve your brand or business name for the future. A domain name will be yours as long as you keep paying for it. And do not worry, it will not break your bank. For instance, popular e-commerce domain .shop will cost you only $0.99/month.
Also, consider purchasing a domain that includes your name even if youre not ready to create a personal website or portfolio yet. Doing this can give you control of what potential clients, employers, and other people see when they search for you onsearch engines.
Read Also: Do You Need A Domain Name For WordPress
Run A Domain Name Search
Now that you have found a registrar through which to register your domain, the next step is to perform a domain name search.
When choosing a domain name, make sure to pick the right domain extension as well its the suffix at the end of a web address. Domain name extensions are also referred to as top-level domains .
There are different types of domain extensions available, such as:
- Country Code Top-Level Domain . This kind of TLD represents a specific country, letting both users and search engines know that a site is designed for visitors from a particular region. An example of this is the .us domain, which is the ccTLD for the United States.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domain . Its a type of TLD restricted to certain types of groups and organizations. Some of sTLD examples include .mil, .gov, and .edu.
- Generic Top-Level Domain . Its the most common type of TLD it doesnt rely on a country code and can be used for general purposes. A few examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, and .net.
When deciding on the extension that is suitable for your domain, look for a TLD that represents the purpose of your website. Choosing the wrong suffix can confuse visitors and make your brand name prone to being misinterpreted.
For example, a .com or .biz extensionmight be best for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, if you plan to create a blog to keep an online journal, an extension like .me can be an excellent solution.
You May Like: What Is The Io Domain Used For
Make An Offer For The Domain That You Want To Buy
In our experience, its not uncommon to be the only person to make an offer during a domain auction. This means you might be able to pick up the domain you want without breaking your budget.
If you happen to find your way into an auction with lots of activity, youll want to set a cap on how much youre willing to spend:
How much youre willing to spend to buy the perfect domain name is up to you. In any case, if you make the winning bid on a domain auction, the final step in your journey is remarkably simple.
You May Like: How To Check If A Domain Name Is Taken
Why Should I Buy Or Own A Domain Name
If you have ever wanted to start an online store or use a website to showcase your creative talents, owning a custom domain name helps improve your credibility and presents you and your business in a professional light. Your domain name is a personal introduction to people who may come across your website via search engines.
Once you have your custom domain name in place, it becomes easier for potential partners to remember. It can also form the basis of standardizing each aspect of your business or website. For example, if you have your first and last names as your domain name, you can use them as part of your email address.
However, some people dont look to buy domain names for personal use. Instead, they develop and purchase custom domain names that a company may desire in the future. A potential buyer can then approach the domain seller and offer to buy it at an agreed domain name value or fixed price.
If multiple parties are interested, the seller can use domain auction sites to drive the price and sell to the highest bidder, often for far more than the domain name is worth.
Additionally, some people buy cheap domain names as a form of domain investment, also known as domain flipping, and then immediately look to sell the domain name for profit via a domain market.
Often these individuals will own multiple domain names at any one time, and they keep an eye on market trends to determine when to sell.
Buying Directly From The Owner
The first step in buying a domain name thats already owned is to contact the owner and ask them if they want to sell it to you. Then, youll need to agree on a price, and finally, youll need to pay for the domain name.
Heres a breakdown of those steps.
Step 1: Find the owners contact information. The easiest way to do that is tolook it up in the WHOIS directory.Just as the name of a property owner is listed with a local governing body, the name of a domain owner is listed in the WHOIS directory. You can simply enter the domain name there and find the owners contact information.
However, when buying a domain name, owners have the ability to decline a WHOIS directory listing. If the domain you want isnt listed, youll have to visit the domain and find the owners contact info there. Checking out the sites Contact Us page would be a great place to start.
Step 2: Negotiate a fair price. When buying a pre-owned domain name, there are two things you have to keep in mind regarding the cost:
- No one will sell you a domain for peanuts. Youll have to prepare yourself to make a reasonable offer.
- Youll need to learn how to negotiate, because most domain name owners who are willing to sell will try to get the highest price they can.
You can make your case for a lower price by looking up the value of similar domains in the marketplace. Its also possible to hire a broker to make the deal for you, but if you do that, youll have to pay a commission.
Read Also: What Is Domain Name And Hosting