Domain help; where safe to check domain availability?

Cutthroat · 08-09-2009, 08:44 AM

I just used a domain name search to see if it was available or registered and it was available. I came back to it like two minutes later and now it's already registered by someone else when just two minutes ago it was available.

The same thing just happened on one of (if not) the biggest domain registrar.

I'm annoyed and frustrated, do any of you know a safe way to search for domain name availability so domain squatters don't automatically steal your domain? The name I found was perfect for me and now it's freaking gone.

I would appreciate any help on this.

Alexa Smith · 08-09-2009, 08:49 AM

Different people have different experiences in different places.

It's easy to follow someone's longstanding recommendations and find that your own experience is totally different from theirs.

The answer to this is to search for the domain-names you want to buy, when you're ready to buy them, and buy them while you're on the page. From the perspective of "not losing them", it's not the location from which you buy them that matters as much as the timing.

kelvin yeo · 08-09-2009, 08:49 AM

Try namecheap. They've a good rep and I've personally never experienced any domain "theft" while looking at domains there.

SiteLabs · 08-09-2009, 08:50 AM

Type the domain anem into each of the search engines without the www to see if you get a result for it.

Do a site: search on the domain in each of the search engines to see if you get a result.

Type the domain name in your browser address bar to see if a site comes back.

If no to all of the above, the site is most likely free to be registered.
Then go stragiht to godaddy and register it.

4thstreet · 08-09-2009, 08:54 AM

I have to agree about Namecheap. I never had any problems with them and have been using them for years. Plus every month they have different coupon codes that can save you a little on your registration.

Cutthroat · 08-09-2009, 08:59 AM

If you register a domain name with someone who is not your web hosting provider, namecheap in this case, is there an additional cost? So far I have only bought domains on my web hosts site while logged into my control panel (this is not the same site where my domain search got hijacked).

SiteLabs · 08-09-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cutthroat

If you register a domain name with someone who is not your web hosting provider, namecheap in this case, is there an additional cost? So far I have only bought domains on my web hosts site while logged into my control panel (this is not the same site where my domain search got hijacked).

There is no additional cost. Simply register the domain name and then change the DNS settings to point to your nameservers for your hosting account.

08-09-2009, 08:44 AM	#1
Cutthroat Active Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? I just used a domain name search to see if it was available or registered and it was available. I came back to it like two minutes later and now it's already registered by someone else when just two minutes ago it was available. The same thing just happened on one of (if not) the biggest domain registrar. I'm annoyed and frustrated, do any of you know a safe way to search for domain name availability so domain squatters don't automatically steal your domain? The name I found was perfect for me and now it's freaking gone. I would appreciate any help on this.
	Last edited by Cutthroat; 08-09-2009 at 08:45 AM. Reason: correct a typo.

08-09-2009, 08:49 AM	#2
Alexa Smith Wordsmith (& Skepchick) War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 13,658 Thanks: 7,519 Thanked 9,557 Times in 4,954 Posts	Re: Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? Different people have different experiences in different places. It's easy to follow someone's longstanding recommendations and find that your own experience is totally different from theirs. The answer to this is to search for the domain-names you want to buy, when you're ready to buy them, and buy them while you're on the page. From the perspective of "not losing them", it's not the location from which you buy them that matters as much as the timing.
	Alexa Smith ... ... writes stuff that snaps, crackles and pops - even if it's only about cauliflowers.

08-09-2009, 08:49 AM	#3
kelvin yeo "Work Smart" Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: .sg Posts: 607 Thanks: 33 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking	Re: Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? Try namecheap. They've a good rep and I've personally never experienced any domain "theft" while looking at domains there.
	This sig under construction...

08-09-2009, 08:50 AM	#4
SiteLabs Warrior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? Type the domain anem into each of the search engines without the www to see if you get a result for it. Do a site: search on the domain in each of the search engines to see if you get a result. Type the domain name in your browser address bar to see if a site comes back. If no to all of the above, the site is most likely free to be registered. Then go stragiht to godaddy and register it.

08-09-2009, 08:54 AM	#5
4thstreet Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: , , . Posts: 982 Thanks: 55 Thanked 64 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? I have to agree about Namecheap. I never had any problems with them and have been using them for years. Plus every month they have different coupon codes that can save you a little on your registration.

08-09-2009, 08:59 AM	#6
Cutthroat Active Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Domain help; where safe to check domain availability? If you register a domain name with someone who is not your web hosting provider, namecheap in this case, is there an additional cost? So far I have only bought domains on my web hosts site while logged into my control panel (this is not the same site where my domain search got hijacked).