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Available Domain Names - How Do I Find Them?
By Skip Dunbeacon
If you want to buy a domain name as an investment, or for a web site, or because you have had an idea and want to reserve a likely name, then you need to find out what domain names are available.
There are three main ways of finding available domain names.
The first way is simply to type the domain name you want to check into the address field of your browser. This is handy if you already know the domain name you want, and just need to see if it is still free.
When you do this, you will either be taken to the site (meaning the domain is already registered and has a web site associated with it) or you will get a message like this - 'Internet Explorer cannot display the web page' or 'Server not found'. This means that the domain name is most likely still free, though there is still a small chance the web site was simply not available due to server issues at that moment.
The second way of finding available domain names is the go to one of the domain name registrars, such as Godaddy, and type in the name you want there. You can use the prominent 'Start a domain name search' box for this. Within seconds, you will see if the domain is available to register.
If you don't have an idea about the exact domain you want, you can also use services like Godaddy to help you. To do this, decide on the theme of the domain name you want. For example, if you wanted to own a domain name about the subject of baseball, then just type 'baseball' into the domain search field.
Of course, baseball.com was taken long ago, but Godaddy will suggest a series of available names you could register, such as easycollegebaseball.com, baseballsportstore.com and so on. You will also see currently registered domain names related to baseball which are up for sale, and their prices. These names may give you ideas - many hyphenated word combinations related to your theme will still be free and able to be registered. Remember that registering a completely new name is always cheaper than buying a currently registered domain name.
The third way to check available domain names is most useful if you want a 'generic' name which is not linked to any particular subject. Use a service like Godaddy and simply browse the domain names which are for sale there. This is known as the domain name aftermaket. You will be able to buy domains which are for sale, and to bid on expired domain names, or simply make an offer to the owner for a domain that you want.
Now see the available domain names - check my [http://www.dunbeacon.net/available-domain-names.htm]available domain names page to start looking for and finding the domain you want.
Skip Dunbeacon writes about the Internet and how to make it work for you.
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