Domain Name Search

You’re on top of the world with .global

Close

Thank you for helping us reach 10 million domains under management! →

How to search for a domain

When you’re trying to come up with a good domain, it’s important to come up with one that can stand the test of time and that accurately represents you and your website or brand.

To do a domain name search, you choose the name to the left of the dot. That’s what is called the second level domain. Then you will choose the domain extension (also known as the top level domain or TLD), that comes after the dot, such as .com.

1. Explore New TLDs →

2. Domain Names for Sale →

3. Domain Whois Lookup →

4. Transfer Domain from Godaddy →

5. Transfer Domain from 1&1 →

How to get started

Here are some things to keep in mind when doing a domain name search.

Domain and Brand

If you already have a business or brand, your domain should match your name. If the .com domain is taken, you can try an alternate TLD, but be sure not to put yourself in another company’s shadow or infringe on their trademark.

Domain Anatomy

Make sure your domain is easy to spell and pronounce, and doesn’t contain any strange letter substitutions or omissions that will make it difficult to remember. Hyphens are also usually not a great idea because people forget about them.

Short and Sweet

Keep the domain names as short as you can manage. Single-word domains, when you can find one, are golden.

Availability

Check that the domain name does not appear as a username on major social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Trademark Names

Make sure no one holds a trademark on the proposed domain name.

Ask your friends

The domains you come up with might seem great to you, but it’s a good idea to ask your friends and family for opinions. Here are a few questions you might ask.

  • 1

    Say the domain name out loud and ask them to write it down. Can they spell it easily?

  • 2

    Do the words spell anything strange?

  • 3

    Are there unexpected associations?

  • 4

    Is it memorable?

How to search for a domain

Now it’s time to see if your domain name choices are available. Once you’ve come up with a few strong domain candidates, it’s time to plug them into Namecheap’s domain name search bar. We will search available domain names for you and let you know if your first choice of second-level domain or TLD is available. We’ll also suggest some alternate TLDs you might try if your first domain choice isn’t available.

How to find good domain names

Lots of people assume that they need the .com extension for every domain. While it is still considered the gold standard, there are now hundreds of other domain options out there. These can be excellent choices to add clever branding to your website or to expand your search.

At Namecheap we have a page dedicated to all of the new TLDs. Here you can filter by category or browse the entire list. We have domain extensions for every conceivable business, hobby, and lifestyle. Even if you think you’re going to register the .com domain, it’s worth a look!

.com TLD
.com

.net TLD
.net

.org TLD
.org

.biz TLD
.biz

Check all our TLDs below

Generic TLDs
Domain
whoisguard
WhoisGuard privacy protection for your Whois database info – FREE for life.
Whoisguard FREE 		Price / Year
.com yes

$ 10.98 * Renewal Price $12.98

.net yes

$ 12.98 * Renewal Price $14.98

.org yes

$ 12.98 * Renewal Price $14.98

.info
Sale
Get .INFO for just $1.99
 yes

$ 1.99 * Renewal Price $13.88

.biz yes

$ 12.88 * Renewal Price $14.87

Country Code TLDs
Domain
whoisguard
WhoisGuard privacy protection for your Whois database info – FREE for life.
Whoisguard FREE 		Price / Year
.us
Sale
Get .US for just $0.88
 no

$0.88 Renewal Price $10.48

.me
Sale
Get .ME for just $3.88
 yes

$3.88 Renewal Price $20.98

.co
Sale
Get .CO for just $8.88
 yes

$8.88 Renewal Price $25.98

.co.uk no

$7.58 Renewal Price $9.58

.io yes

$32.88 Renewal Price $34.88

*ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) charges a mandatory annual fee of $0.18 for each domain registration, renewal or transfer. This will be added to the listed price for some domains, at the time of purchase. See full list of affected domains →

+ Show More - Show Less

FAQs

Are .com domains better for search engine optimization (SEO)?

No. All domain extensions are considered equal in the eyes of Google. There is no automatic preference given to a .com domain.

Where you do need to be careful, however, is to not register an alternate domain if the .com is taken by a large company. This can hurt your search results and also open you up to a potential trademark battle.

Should I buy multiple extensions for the same domain?

Yes. Registering a domain extension reserves it so that no one else can use it. So if you've got mydomain.com, you might be wise to also register mydomain.net and mydomain.org (and redirect them back to your correct site) in order to avoid confusion and keep your visitors coming to your site.

What is a premium domain?

Premium domains (also known as aftermarket or pre-registered domains) are short domains, often just one word or even just 3-5 letters. Most of them have a .com extension but many premium domains end with .org, .net, and .biz. These domains include common words and are generally the most memorable. Because companies value short domains that match their company name or products, these domains are typically the most desirable. Additionally, certain domains sold by different registries are considered premium and therefore have a higher price point. In some cases, the renewal costs of these higher-priced domains are also quite expensive. Some high-priced premium domains, though, renew at a regular (lower cost) rate, giving you a better value in the long term. Make sure to research the overall cost of the domain plus renewal to find the right domain for your budget. You can browse Namecheap's premium domains in our Marketplace.

What's needed to register a domain?

Anyone can register a domain. All you need is a good name, an account with Namecheap, and an acceptable form of payment.

Is it a good idea to own a domain with my own name in it?

Absolutely. Owning 'yourname.com' (as well as related domains such as yourname.tech or yourname.me) is a great way to brand yourself and retain control over your name's online presence. With a personal domain name, you can set up a portfolio, blog, or hobby site that’s associated with your own personal life. You can also set up a custom email address like john@johnsmith.com allowing your visitors an easy and memorable way to reach you. So even if you have no immediate use for yourname.com, it's wise to register a personal domain to ensure that you (and not some stranger) control your name online.

What if the domain I want says "make offer"?

In some instances, the domain you want may already be registered by someone else. The owner may, however, be willing to sell it to you for a negotiated price. By selecting "make offer" on these domains, you'll be able to connect with the current domain owner and make an offer. This service is provided by our partners.

Will my data be kept private?

In order to register any domain, you must provide certain personal information that you may not wish to be publically searchable in the Whois database. Signing up for WhoisGuard is a great way to keep your registration data private. WhoisGuard acts as a "shield" for your searchable information, displaying the address, phone number, and email of the domain registrar (Namecheap, e.g.) instead of your own. Keep in mind that WhoisGuard is an optional security add-on that must be renewed separately when you renew your domain.

Still have questions about domains?

Chat to one of our team now?
We're here to help 24x7!

Disclaimers

Need help? We're always here for you.

Chat with a Live Person

× Close