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How to Check Domain Name Availability (Easy Domain Search Tools)

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Do you want to learn how to check domain name availability?

Since many good domains are already taken, beginners often feel stuck. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could check domain name availability faster and even find new ideas while you do it?

In this article, we’ll show you how to check for domain name availability with some of the easiest domain search tools.

Checking for domain name availability using domain search tools

New: We created an AI-powered business name generator tool that helps you come up with creative business name ideas and checks domain name availability. Try WPBeginner’s free business name generator.

1. Domain.com

Domain.com

Domain.com is one of the best domain registrars on the market. They offer a wide range of top-level domain extensions (TLDs) at discounted rates and have the best domain management tools for beginners.

Most importantly, they have a powerful domain search tool that lets you quickly check for available domain names. Simply go to their website and enter your desired keywords or phrase into the domain name search bar.

Check domain availability on Domain.com

Domain.com will show if the domain is available for registration. If it is, then congratulations, you can go ahead and get it registered right away.

Bonus: Use our Domain.com coupon code to get an additional discount.

Domain available

If the domain you are looking for is not available, then it will show you different combinations to help you brainstorm and come up with a unique idea.

Once you have found a domain name, you can simply add it to cart and click on the ‘Continue’ button to register it.

Continue registration

Optionally, you can add domain privacy protection to your domain during the registration process. However, it is not required to register a domain name.

On the next screen, enter your billing and payment information to complete the purchase at checkout.

After that, you’re ready to go!

Proceed to payment

Note: Domain.com also offers a WHOIS lookup tool if you’re interested in buying someone else’s domain name. For more tips, check out this guide on how to buy a domain name that is taken.

2. Nameboy

Nameboy Best Domain and Blog Name Generator

Nameboy is one of the oldest and the most reliable domain name generator tools on the market.

If you want to quickly generate dozens of great domain name ideas for business sites, eCommerce stores, apps, and more, then you can use this tool. Simply enter your desired keyword or phrase, and it generates a list of domain names to choose from.

You can click on any domain name to view details and register the domain name. The downside is that it does not show you the availability of domain names right away.

3. IsItWP

IsItWP Domain Generator

IsItWP offers a bunch of useful tools like a WordPress security scanner, website uptime checker, password generator, and a powerful domain generator.

The domain generator allows you to look up a domain name by simply entering keywords or phrases into the search box. It then creates a number of different domain names.

This gives you a ton of possible choices to go through. However, you will need to click on the ‘View Details’ button to check the availability of the domain name and complete the domain name registration.

4. Blog Tyrant

Blog Tyrant

Blog Tyrant is a popular blogging resource site with several free tools including a domain name generator.

It helps you look up domain ideas for your selected keyword or phrase. You can click on a domain name to see more details or try a different keyword combination to get even more domain name suggestions.

5. Bluehost

Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the biggest web hosting services in the world. If you want to make a website immediately, then their domain availability checker will be a good option.

They are offering WPBeginner users a free domain name, a free SSL certificate, and a generous discount on WordPress hosting plans. You’ll be able to start a blog or website for as low as $2.75 per month.

You can simply visit their website and click on the ‘Get Started’ button.

After that, you will be asked to choose a plan.

Select a plan

On the next screen, you will be asked to choose a domain name.

Enter your desired domain name or keywords to check domain availability.

Bluehost domain checker

If your preferred domain name is not available, then it will show you several suggestions to choose from or you can search for another domain name.

Once you have found the right domain name you like, then you can simply go ahead and complete the purchase.

6. Network Solutions

Network Solutions

Network Solutions is one of the largest domain registrars on the planet with over 7 million domains registered on their platform. Their website has a built-in domain name availability checker that shows you if a domain name is available to register.

Their suggestion includes all popular domain name extensions as well as many premium domain names that are available for sale.

You can use our Network solutions coupon to get an additional 25% off any new domain registration.

6. GoDaddy

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the biggest domain name companies on the market. You can use their website as a domain checker tool as well.

However, their suggestions usually include hyphens, lesser-known and uncommon domain extensions, or premium domain names available for a higher price.

There are many excellent GoDaddy alternatives that are cheaper and more reliable.

7. Business Name Generator

Business name generator

Business Name Generator by WPBeginner is an AI-powered tool that allows you to generate business name ideas and look up domain name availability.

You can start your domain research by entering keywords or phrases, and it will start generating ideas. You will also see domain name availability for each name that it generates.

How to Choose The Perfect Domain Name?

Many beginners find it difficult to find the perfect domain name. According to internet usage statistics, more than 370 million domain names are already registered, and it feels like all the good ones are already taken.

If the domain name you want is not available, then you’ll need to get creative. Here are a few quick tips that will help you find the perfect domain name for your website.

  • Stick with .com domain names, and don’t choose a new domain extension like .biz or .xyz
  • Use keywords associated with your business to improve your search engine rankings and overall SEO. See our guide on how to do keyword research to learn more.
  • Avoid hyphens and numbers in the domain name. They would make the web address harder to spell and pronounce and difficult to promote on social media.
  • Choose a website name that is easily memorable, doesn’t require you to spell it, and represents your brand.

For more in-depth tips on coming up with the right domain for your online presence, see our complete guide on how to choose the best domain name.

I’ve Found a Domain Name, Now What?

You need to act fast and register that domain name.

Thousands of new domain names are registered every day. Domain names are a lucrative business, and people are always looking for good domain names to register and then resell for a better offer.

If your domain name idea is good, then there is a great chance that it will not be available for long. You need to just go ahead and register your domain name.

Do I Need a Website to Get a Domain Name?

No, you don’t.

You can register a domain name without creating a website. To understand how these two things are related, see our guide on the difference between domain name and web hosting.

To make a website, you’ll need to sign up with a hosting company. This is where you will store your website’s files.

Domain name registrars sell domain names. These companies are licensed by ICANN (an international body that manages domain names worldwide) to register domain names.

To make a website, you need both domain name and web hosting. However, if you are not yet ready to make a website, then you can simply register a domain name.

Tip: If you are using a different company for website hosting, then you just need to edit your domain’s DNS settings and add nameservers for your new host. Nameservers tell browsers which IP address to visit to access your website.

This will give you ownership of that domain name for the licensed period. You can make a website or start an online store later when you’re ready.

Which is The Best Tool to Check for Domain Name Availability?

We recommend using Domain.com as the best tool to check for domain name availability.

It allows you to do your domain name research quickly. You can instantly register the domain name without visiting a third-party website. They also offer the easiest domain tools and a simple domain management area.

If you just want to explore different domain name ideas, then Nameboy is the best domain name checker. It helps you instantly generate dozens of ideas using your keywords or business name.

FAQ About Checking Domain Name Availability

Following are some of the most commonly asked questions by our readers about domain name availability.

1. How do I find a .com domain name?

You can filter your domain name availability search by choosing the .com extension.

2. Should I use a country code domain name?

Generally, even if your business is focused in a specific country, you should still use a .com domain name for its wider recognition among internet users. However, if your business is focused in a specific country, then choosing a country code domain name (e.g. examople.co.uk) can help you rank in local searches.

3. How to find who owns a domain name?

You can find out who owns a domain name by running a whois search for that domain name. However, due to domain privacy, this information may be hidden sometimes. However, you can still use the contact information to reach out to the owner.

4. How to register a domain name already registered by someone else?

You cannot register a domain name already registered by someone else. However, you can pay for a domain name back order to register that domain name if it ever becomes available. You can also reach out to a domain broker or contact the domain owner to see if they are interested in selling their domain name.

We hope this article helped you learn how to check for domain name availability using smarter domain search tools. You may also want to see these easy online business ideas that you can start with your new domain name, or our guide on how to choose the best website builder.

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Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, Web Hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and Marketing. Started in 2009, WPBeginner is now the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry and is often referred to as the Wikipedia for WordPress.

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2 CommentsLeave a Reply

  1. Syed Balkhi says

    Hey WPBeginner readers,
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  2. Jiří Vaněk says

    I use whois.com. Here I can not only find whether the domain is free, but if it is registered, it will also find me the registrar, who I can ask to contact the owner of the domain on my behalf, e.g. with an offer to buy it. Otherwise, mainly due to GDPR, I am unable to find out the owner.

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