There are many different ways to research domain names and to find inspiration for new domain names to register. The way you research domain names will be colored to a large extent by the intended use for the domain name, i.e. is it being registered for a new or existing site, for investment purposes or to "protect" an established brand or trademark.
1. Think of as many keywords and key phrases as you can.
These are what people will use to find your website. Phrases are usually better, much better than single words alone. You can now register domain names up to 67 characters that are rich in keywords and dramatically increase your ranking on search engines. Search engines love domain names that describe the site and are loaded with keywords. For example, 123-domain-name-registration.com. You can use the "123-" part to get better placement by those search engines who sort alphabetically. Also notice that the words "domain name", and "registration" are keywords that have been proven to be the most widely used in our business.
2. You're looking for a domain name for a new website.
Start by noting down what your site will be about, in a paragraph or two. Then condense this description into a maximum of 2 sentences. Don't worry about covering all the details - just make sure you're addressing the essentials of what the site will be about.
Now take your short description, and underline all the "key" words that describe your site. Let's take a specific example:
"Our website will be the leading source of information on weaving and knitting, providing knitting patterns and design ideas, an introduction to weaving, a guide to selecting and caring for looms, and a store for people to buy wool, yarn and books."
Now try to come up with a domain name that either addresses the one fundamental concept of the site, or that marries two or more key concepts in a single name.
In our example: weavingandknitting.com, knittingandweaving.com, knittingpatterns.com, knittingworld.com, weavingworld.com, etc.
Once you've drawn up a short-list of domain names to "test" for availability, it's time to look up our domain name search program.
If you're having difficulty coming up with useful domain name combinations from your keywords, try a single keyword and add prefixes or suffixes. Not all prefixes and suffixes are appropriate in all situations - use your judgment when deciding which to add.
| Common Prefixes | Common Suffixes |
| e, e-, my, i, i-, the, online, net, web, internet, hot, cool, our, your | world, links, site, web, net, resource, business, company, corp, inc, shop, store, mall, search, directory, guide |
If you have a budget for your new domain name, then you need not be restricted to available, unregistered domain names. You may be able to buy the perfect domain name off its current owner. Most sales take place for a few hundred to ten thousand dollars or more, although some have been known to reach 7 figures for extremely desirable domains.
3. You're looking for a domain name for an existing website.
In the case that you're looking to buy a domain name for a website that is already up and running, your options will be more limited than if you're starting from scratch.
First, have you already been operating the site under a clearly-recognizable "name" or "title"? Even if your site is hosted on cheap space at an ISP, or on a free host, you may have given it a short title in large letters (or in a logo). This is the obvious place to start when looking for a domain name.
If your site's name (as given in its title) is very generic, you may well find one (or many) other sites already using it - and the corresponding domain name(s) long since gone. In that case, you have to decide whether you will make a bid to buy the domain name you want, look for an alternative extension (such as .org or .net) or use the brainstorming ideas mentioned earlier.
4. New rules for 67 character domain names.
This could present a tremendous opportunity in more ways than one.
Because the rules have changed, you can register names up to 67 characters long. This is including the .com or .net or .org. The old rule limited you to 23 characters.
What does this mean to you? Right now there is an opportunity to make some big money in a short period of time with a little investment. Why? Because you can register names today in hopes of selling them for big profits tomorrow. You have probably heard of this before, well now it's happening again. For example, business.com has been sold for 7.5 million dollars! Do some brainstorming and register these names while you still can. Here are some of the reasons:
You can register domain names that abound with your keywords and really improve ranking on the search engines. Search engines just love names that describe the web site and have lots of keywords. Not very many people know this but the search engines actually prefer names with hyphens. Most people prefer names without hyphens but nowadays everyone just searches and clicks, you don't usually have to type in the name. Besides, all the one word names are already taken.
In summary, if you want to appeal to the search engines make sure you use hyphens and if you want to appeal to the average person surfing the web do not use hyphens. But do you know what the easiest way to guarantee success is? Register both! There is no better way to ensure that you are getting as many visitors as possible than by registering the URL with hyphens and the same URL without.
You can register a name that is better than what you have now. Maybe your present domain name ends with a .net or .org. You can get a .com name which will be better for your business. If possible, by all means register the .com name first, follow by .net and/or .org.
If you now have a .net or .org, you are losing visitors and losing business. Almost everyone remembers .com before .net or .org and that's a fact. Even most browsers will default to .com if the extension is not entered. A good .com name will always prevail and pay for itself time and time again. Ask any of the experts.
Next, check if your domain name is available. If the name is available, you should seriously consider registering it now.
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