How to Verify Domain Name Availability – Main Methods

You have created a visually appealing, UX-friendly and functional website. To turn it into a useful online service – that is, to put it on the server and make it work – you first need to find a suitable domain name.

Experienced webmasters are well aware that the domain is the face of the brand playing an important role in its recognisability and subsequent SEO and marketing efforts. However, by ignoring a thorough check, you will one day be disappointed to find that even your most creative idea is already taken.

So, here are the top three reasons why you should do a thorough domain name check:

1. If the domain is already taken, it’s likely you’ll have to rethink not only the company name but also the brand concept.

2. SEO risks. Even if your chosen busy domain is vacated, its negative history will haunt your brand all the way. Falling traffic, spam backlinks and search engine penalties are things you should investigate thoroughly.

3. Possible legal implications. If your chosen domain is registered as a trade mark, you are unlikely to avoid legal action.

So, to prevent all these possible troubles, it is necessary not only to check the availability of the domain but also to study its history before registration. We have written this article to tell you about all the important steps of verification to minimise the risks for your online business.

Convenient Ways to Check Domains

So, if you need a simple and reliable way to find out if a domain is available, then use a specialised service. With a straightforward and intuitive user interface, such solutions instantly check the address you entered and show you the status result:

·  Spaceship. If you need to check one or several options at once to choose the best one, then use bulk domain search at Spaceship website.

·  Whois services. With their help, you can find out when the domain was registered, who is its owner and when the registration expires.

·  Registrar and reseller platforms such as Namechip. Here you will be able to find out not only whether the domain is free but also pick up alternatives.

Even if it turns out that your desired option is busy, do not abandon it immediately. Perhaps this domain is for sale and its owner is ready to consider your offer to buy.

Try Alternative Domain Zones

Like many other businesses, you probably want to get a domain in the ‘.com’ zone. However, today there are many good alternatives that are also trusted by the audience.

Here are a few TLDs (top-level domain zones) worthy of consideration:

·  .net. This option is ideal for technology and IT projects.

·  .io. It is in demand among startups, especially in the technology sector.

·  .co. This can be a good alternative to .com, and is widely used for businesses.

·  .store, .shop. These have been widely used in e-commerce recently.

·  National domains (.de, .fr, .uk) increase the trust of audiences in specific countries.

However, if you want to launch a business serving customers from different countries, it is better to choose a universal TLD such as .com or .io.

Checking Domain History Before Buying

Having a track record, good backlinks and recognisability in the global network, sometimes a registered domain can be a very profitable acquisition. However, you should always take into account all possible risks, for example, associated with the use of the domain earlier in grey schemes.

Therefore, before you buy a domain, you should carefully check its history. Below we have listed the three best ways to check the history of domain name usage:

1. Web Archive. Here you will be able to find out which sites have worked on your chosen domain. For example, if it was a blog, a corporate website or an online shop, that’s a good sign. However, avoid domains linked to spammy and fraudulent websites.

2. Checking reputation in search engines. There are three verification tools available to you here. Use Google Transparency Report to find out if a site has been blocked for malware. Check the SEO history of the domain by using Ahrefs. Also, don’t be lazy to use Blacklist Check to find out if the domain has been blacklisted.

3. Analyse past owners. Whois services that allow you to discover what companies or individuals have used the domain before will help you here. If speculators now intercept it, you are likely to offer an inflated price for the domain used for dubious purposes.

Even if the chosen option looks crystal clear, use several different verification services to avoid hidden risks.

Solutions for the Case of Domain is Busy

According to Netcraft, there were over 270 million domain names in the world in mid-2024. This means that coming up with something new that captures the essence of your brand, is short, easy to pronounce and memorable is an extremely difficult task today.

So, if the coveted domain is already registered, you can try the following:

·  Contact the owner of the domain. You can find out the contact details through Whois service. So, let’s say you have found the owner of the domain. To make a correct offer, compose a professional letter. Specify a slightly underestimated value so that you don’t spend too much on buying the domain.

·  Wait until the domain is free. If the owner decides not to renew the domain, after some time it will become available for registration. To avoid keeping an eye on the domain every day, just use a backorder service like DropCatch.

·  Look for alternatives. Try slightly changing the spelling of your favourite name – for example by adding prefixes and suffixes – to find an unoccupied variant that still encapsulates the nature of your brand.

So, if as a result of checking it turned out that the domain is not available, do not rush to despair, because today there are many ways to get what you want for reasonable money and with minimal effort. However, do not turn a blind eye to possible problems and risks as a reputation is built over years and spoilt in an instant.