Tools for finding & investigating domains!

Finding domains. In order to do it right you need to jump all over the internet using a variety of tools, each of which helps you to research a small piece of the puzzle. You need to check to see if the domain you think is good actually contains keywords that people search for with Google and the other search engines.

 

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So let's get started with how a professional will actually seek, find, evaluate and eventually purchase domains. There are a number of online tools that you may use for free, and the goal of this site is to have all of these tools in one place where you can access them simply and easily and not need to jump all over the net typing in URLs..

The first step is to identify the keyword or keyword sets that you want to use. Most of the good domain names have been taken long ago, so you are left with either purchasing them from someone who had the foresight to register the domain, or trying to create something that nobody else has thought of.

Use the menu to the left to take advantage of the latest domain tools from all over the web. You can uncover new domain names, research their history, find out if a similar domain is available or even find them on auction. Use Estibot to find out what a domain you find will be worth! To learn more about domains, see our FAQ, or visit the forums listed in the drop-down menu. From this one site, you should be able to find everything you will ever need to be in the domain business. If you have found this page via a search engine, and there is no menu to the left side of the page, click here to reload the page properly.

Brainstorming

The PsychicWhoIs tool above will automatically finish suggestions for you and then show you if any domains are available with the most popular top-level domain extensions color coded. Try it to see for yourself.

Step-By-Step Guide.

Step Where About
Brainstorm & Research Domain Names "Psychic Who Is" PscychicWhoIs is one of the best keyword brainstorming tools out there. Once you find a good keyword, double-check it with wordtracker.
DomainsBot DomainsBot lets you enter entire sentences to help you find domains. Different than other tools, and a very useful brainstorming tool.
Google Suggest Google "Suggest" will suggest domain names as you type and show you traffic. Once you find a good keyword, double-check it with wordtracker.
Google Adwords Keyword Tool Another great keyword tool from Google, it will give you sortable lists of keywords.
WordTracker Wordtracker will give great keyword suggestions and show what people actually enter into search engines.
See if domain is available Godaddy Godaddy is the number 1 domain registrar in the USA. They have some of the best tools for researching available domains - even if you do not eventually buy from them.
Network Solutions Network Solutions was the original and first domain company.
Dotster The New Dotster: Buy A Domain, Get One Free! Use Coupon Code GETONEFREE
Check Used Domains Sedo Sedo is the biggest online domains aftermarket.
TDnam TDNam for finding and buying 'used' domains.
Afternic Afternic - buy and resell domains from and to private owners.
Estimate Value of domain Estibot Estibot will estimate the value of a domain - FREE.
Check if banned by Google Google Banned Checker Find out if the name you plan on buying is 'banned' by Google.
Check Traffic (if any) Alexa Alexa Internet will help you to assess traffic on traffic domains.
Purchase Domain Godaddy Godaddy is the number 1 domain registrar in the USA.
Dotster The New Dotster: Buy A Domain, Get One Free! Use Coupon Code GETONEFREE
Network Solutions Network Solutions was the original and first domain company.
Develop site or put domain up for resale SiteSell SiteSell will help you get your website up and running.

 

To find a good domain, it is best to start with three tools:

From there, you check availability using a site like Godaddy. Godaddy also gives you suggestions for domains that are available. Some of them will have different extensions, from top-level domains like .net, .org or .us domains to foreign domains such as .de (Germany) or .co.uk (UK).

When you find a suitable domain, check the price with estibot, and then make sure that the domain is not currently banned by google.

When you buy the domain, you will need to 'park' it someplace, and you should get free parking when you buy the domain. If it is not a domain with significant type-in traffic, do not pay for parking which would enable you to earn money, as it is rarely worth it unless you have found an extraordinary domain that many people will just type into their browsers.

 

Beware of "Domain Tasting"

domainsAll of the big domain registrars do this, so be aware! When you search for domains and if you find an interesting one, be prepared to BUY IT RIGHT AWAY! They go over the lists of domains that have been found and not purchased, then they purchase them themselves and either offer them for resale, or check traffic. If it looks promising they will scoop it up. You might go back 2 days later to buy the domain and IT WILL BE GONE!

 

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