What Do I Do If the Domain Name I Want is Not Available?
Many aspiring webmasters have experienced the frustration of having a domain name that is seemingly perfect for their business unavailable when it’s time to build or update their website. Countless websites are launched around the world every day, meaning the supply of memorable and relevant names for businesses is constantly dwindling, but luckily finding alternative ways to get your company’s message out through a URL just requires a bit of creative thought. Read more about Australian domain registration to find out how a previously registered name is far from the end of the world.
Mix it Up
One method commonly employed to webmasters who find themselves late to domain name registration is to use a small stylization or spelling change to distinguish it from an existing alternative. This is usually done by adding a character such as a dash or numeral to the desired domain name, or even by adding the name of the local area or other defining characteristic of the business to create a name that is still unique while being even more targeted.
Another compromise for webmasters whose domain name is already registered is to pair the main portion of the domain name with a different suffix like “.net” or “.org,” but companies who take this route may potentially expose themselves to legal action if the name knowingly infringes upon a registered trademark.
Domain Purchase
Domain names can also be bought and sold by their owners like a commodity, and webmasters set on the cachet a name delivers to their web presence may be able to negotiate a deal to purchase it from its current owner. Domain name broker sites are commonly used in transactions like these, but it is not unheard of for webmasters to strike a deal independently. This method in particular may require some significant resources if the owner is attached to the name, but the exposure a well-designed web presence can attract can make the investment more than worthwhile for some entrepreneurs.
Domain Reclamation
If you find that your established trade name is somehow already in use on the Internet, you may have some recourse for reclaiming it legally. Business names and other intellectual properties are protected under federal trademark laws, and the inventor of a commodity such as a domain name always has right of first refusal on his own ideas. Knowingly and maliciously registering under the name of an established business for personal gain is known as cybersquatting and is illegal, potentially giving you the opportunity to stake your claim to the domain through trademark infringement action.