What to Do If the Domain Name You Want Is Taken

In most cases, you have two choices if someone else owns the domain name you want: Buy the name from them or settle on a different name. Here are some less commonly used options you might want to consider.

In most cases, you have two choices if someone else owns the domain name you want: Buy the name from them or settle on a different name.

A lot depends on why someone registered the name you want. Speculators, known as cybersquatters, sometimes reserve domain names in order to sell them to the highest bidders. This can be a lucrative business - companies have paid hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars for especially desirable domain names. In other cases, firms buy domain names simply because they want to establish legitimate Web sites or online businesses. If someone is using a domain name and doesn't want to sell it, you might have to choose another name. Read How to Find Out If a Domain Name Is Available to learn how to determine if the name you want is still up for grabs.

Sometimes, however, you have a third option. U.S. courts have ruled that trademark holders can claim certain domain names, regardless of whether or not someone else bought the name first. If ABC Industries comes across another business that owns Abcindustries.com, for example, it might take action to seize control of the name. You might be able to claim a domain name in this manner, depending on the type of name and how the current owner is using it.

If you can't register a coveted .com domain name, look into registering your name with another top-level extension, such as .net or .org. Although these names don't quite have the visibility of a .com name, they're still very good alternatives. You'll soon have even more options: The organization that manages top-level domains recently approved seven new top-level extensions, including .biz, .name, and .pro, and even more alternatives will appear in the future. Be sure to read Top-Level Domain Names for the complete list, along with explanations of who qualifies for each extension.

You can also register a name using one of the domain name extensions associated with various nations, such as .ca for Canada or .de for Germany. The nation of Montserrat, for example, sells domain names that end in .ms for $50 a year, and you can register a domain with the United States' .us extension for free. Keep in mind that these domains aren't as well known, however, and names with the .us extension must also include state and city extensions, such as Company.city.state.us. That's quite a mouthful if your goal is to have a catchy, easy to remember domain name.

AllBusiness.com has more tips on finding the right domain name for your new business website.

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