How often you come with a great business idea, and a perfect domain name to match it only to find it is taken or hoarded by an entity with a large price tag. Well, this is one of the most common struggles of a startup and can directly affect its progress. Sometimes the solution might be around the corner but more often than not getting your ideal domain is simply not practical in this day and age.
So why isn’t your domain available? Well, there is a possibility that a website already exists under that or it has been reserved. Domain trade is a large market with billions of value. Almost 500 million different kinds of domains are registered up to the first quarter of 2021. Mass Domain hoarding and cybersquatting are both the prime enemies of the availability of your domain.
A good domain name that incorporates your business and brand will serve you big time. From creating effective marketing strategies to the technical SEO segments, domain names play a major role. Therefore, the significance of a good domain name and extension is paramount. Well, if you are now looking for some solutions or alternatives to this common problem here are 9 strategies to use if your domain name is not available.
1. Slightly Change your aimed Domain (Adding verbs or other modifications)
This is the first solution to anyone avoiding buying domain names. With the addition of verbs like ‘get’, try, or similar you can even clarify your business. Also, a verb combined domain is easier to be added with advertisements than straight-up brand names. For example, if you have a restaurant named Vouge, one can utilize TryVouge.com
2. Try to buy the domain if it is your top priority
This is straightforward. A good domain is a property that will cost you quite a fortune. If you are really unhinged on getting the domain, buy it. The cost will be different and you might have to pay a certain amount to the agents too. However, the good news for you is that some new, expired, and inactive domains can come to a lot cheaper and you can get lucky with your purchase.
3. Expand your brand feature to the Domain
Once again, your domain name, if short, will be better. However, the ability to be familiar or easy to remember is also important. In your domain name, you can upgrade the looks with a term enhancing your brand awareness. For example, xyz.com turning to xyzmotors.com for an automobile company. Another example will be Mountain.com to TrekMountain.com or so on.
4. Try attaining the country code TLD
For those whose business is focused mostly in certain regions or nations getting country code TLDs can be a lifesaver. Top-Level domains (TLD) are globally wanted and getting them might prove to be impossible for a small company. With country code, you can get your domain name with a tail added to make it specific. On the surface, it might make the domain long. But, several studies show that adding country code TLDs will help to lead local visitors to your site filtered for you. It is a win-win situation for you.
5. Use other alternative TLDs to your domain name
Now, it is no surprise that .com is the most used TLDs to date. It is catchy and easily remembered and more often it completes the domain Name. But, your domain name can have other TLDs too when .com is not available. The TLDs like .Net, .int, .org, and .co are also popularly used. There is a certain level of trust and clarity issues with the non .com domains but you have to overcome it with proper service and marketing.
6. Use a hyphen to separate the domain segments
This method is commonly seen when two companies aim for the same domain name. A hyphen will not be remembered by most people but it is the next best thing. Search Engine result page ads put the ratio of a direct domain to keyword search ratio at 2:8 so you won’t have much SEO disadvantage. It is important to have a captivating website for overcoming this disadvantage.
7. Brainstorm a new brand name if that is an option
Brainstorming new domain ideas might be anything from highlighting different parts of your company names to experimenting with the abbreviations. These aren’t simple and sometimes will take a lot to make the domain sound normal. However, if you are willing to put some effort into it brainstorm new domain names for your company. One example here is the popular term Football Club replaced by FC. It will increase the chance of domain name availability while reducing its length.
8. Use interesting Domain Hacks
One of the key things about domain names is that they can be understandable to humans through modifications. One easy hack is using multiple ‘.’ to complete your domain. For example, if Campbell is not available use camp.bell. Visitors will pronounce both as similar and one can use bookmarks effectively to make the site stick around the user rather than the original domain name.
9. Wait and utilize Domain Monitoring tools (Last resort)
Domain name expires after a certain time. It might be discontinued by the owners or sometimes changed to a new one. Domain Monitoring Tools helps you by notifying your targeted Domain names when their status is changed. This is more of a secondary solution that you can use in parallel with all the above methods.
Here are some important properties of a good Domain for your website: –
* It must be short and understandable.
* The business brand must be represented by the domain.
* If available always go with the .com extension.
* Spell the domain as it is generally used by the targeted customers. Avoid complicated terms.
* Hyphens and Numbers use must be kept at a minimum.
* Try matching your domain name with the site niche.
Getting expert help in selecting your business domain is also your option here. Similarly, research of the keywords and the prominence of your domain is significant for aspiring businesses. With these tips, you can head forward towards your goal without having to miss out on your preferred domain names.