You may have invested time and effort to craft the perfect domain name, only to learn someone else has already acquired it. It can be disheartening, but it shouldn’t diminish your website ownership dreams. You can still get premium domain names and achieve your website ownership goals. Here are things you can do if your domain name is taken:
1. Offer To Buy It From the Current Owner
Sometimes you just can’t settle for an alternate domain name. If you are passionate about the original choice, you can contact the current owner and determine if they’re willing to sell it. A domain broker is an excellent resource because they’re experienced in domain buying and selling. They can research to find the owner, contact them to start the negotiations, and handle the transfer process if all goes well. The downside of this option is that the owner may not be willing to sell, or their asking price may be fairly steep.
2. Consider Other Domain Extensions
Domain extensions are the letters that appear after the dot, such as “.com” or “.net.” If someone has registered your desired domain name with the classic “.com” extension, consider exploring other extensions like “.io,” “.net,” or “.co.” Your industry can guide your decision, as some extensions are more appropriate for certain industries than others. Extensions like “.io” and “.tech” are often associated with tech businesses, while “.org” is often used by non-profits and charities. Country-code extensions like “.uk” and “.us” are also available. Alternative extensions may not be as popular or recognizable as “.com,” but they can still help you create your desired website.
3. Add a Location to Your Desired Domain Name
If your desired domain name with the classic “.com” extension is taken, you can add a geographical reference, such as your city or state, to the end. If someone has already registered “YourDomain.com,” you can try “YourDomainDallas.com” or “YourDomainTexas.com.” It can be a great way to snatch premium domain names that are already taken. This strategy also works best for businesses with a local presence, as it may generally increase the site’s visibility in relevant areas.
4. Add Words Before or After Your Domain Name
You can also add words before or after your desired domain name to find one still available. Keep it as close to the original name as possible so that your domain still communicates something about your business. Adding verbs like “get” and “shop may also work. You won’t have the exact domain name you wanted, but it could still serve your purpose because it’s still relevant to your business.
5. Rearrange the Order of Words
Adjusting the order of words in your desired domain name can sometimes make all the difference. That can work if your desired domain name has several words joined together. If something like “techgeeks.com” is taken, you could try “geekstech.com” or “geeksfortech.com” to see if either one is available. You can also consider hyphenating words as an option to produce something like “geeks-tech.com.”
6. Brainstorm New Premium Domain Names
Sometimes no matter what you try, your desired domain name simply isn’t available. Brainstorm new premium domain names if that’s your case. Try to look at your business and its values from a different perspective and develop something new that still communicates what you do. It may take time, but eventually, you can find something that works. Find something short, memorable, and easy to spell — it will be much easier for customers to remember your domain name that way.
7. Consider Brandable Domain Names
Brandable premium domain names are not comprised of words directly related to the company or service they represent but are instead often made-up words. They are usually easier to remember and can be highly successful for startups, as they can impact the market with a single word. If you’re struggling to get the domain name you want, this may be an option worth exploring.
Find Premium Domain Names Today
These seven strategies can help you find a suitable domain name even when your desired one isn’t available. Securing the right domain name can be incredibly helpful for any business, so take your time to explore all your options and find the one that works best for you. You can still get a great domain name for your website with a few adjustments, even if it’s not what you initially wanted.