Find My Domain

Domain names can be key to your business success on the web and finding the right one for you can be difficult and sometimes seem impossible. Nominet has recorded over 7 million domain names in circulation with just the .uk suffix. The domain you want may already be gone... so what do you do?... First... check availability! Either refer to your ISP or check with the whois database

Is the domain you want available?...Yes?.... great.. go register it!

No?.... is it being used by the domain owner? (enter the URL and see!)... Many domains are either 'parked', not in use or maybe available soon. You can check who owns it by clicking on the link above. This will also show you when it is registered until and whether the domain is owned by a business or an individual.

If it's not in use and you can find the owner, the best course of action is to approach the owner and see if they want to sell it. Often you'll find domain names that are for sale on Sedo. More often than not there will be the words 'make offer' next to the domain. In this case, refer to Domain Prices page on this site for a guide on domain values and how much to offer.

If you can negotiate your way though the buying process, you'll be rewarded with the domain you desire! If you're unable to reach agreement on the purchase of the domain name, then you need to keep calm and look at the next options... all is not lost!

Sometimes domains are registered with a view to future use, then nothing happens and they are left forgotten. In this case, you maybe lucky and be able to 'catch' the domain in the 'drop'. After the registration period for a domain expires, there is a process that has to be followed by Nominet that tries to find the original registrant to see if they want to re-register the domain. If they are unsuccessful in finding or communicating with the owner, the domain is released for registration. If you know when the domain will be 'dropping' you can register it through you ISP as you would do normally. (A limited 'drop-catching' service is available from 'Find my Domain' - contact us for more information.

If you've not managed to get your desired name there are still options open to you. You need to look at varying the domain name slightly. The best and most common way of getting your domain is to look at other business name possibilities like including the 'LTD' in the domain, include the geographical region you're in, the market area you serve or alternatively go for something completely different and gear your business to use that name as its web presence.

Take a look around the site and I hope you'll be able to find the answers you're looking for and get the name you want. If you still can't get what you want, contact us and let us sort you out with that essential domain name.

More information available on Domain Naming and Domain Prices... simply follow the links!