What To Do If Your Domain Name Is Already Taken In 2024?

When you find your dream .com domain name is already taken, it can feel hopeless. But with the right domain broker on your side, buying that premium name in someone else’s hands is possible. However, it’s important to note that the keyword domain name is already taken may also apply in certain cases, so exploring alternatives or negotiating with the current owner might be necessary.

Top brokers like VPN.com are experts at acquiring already taken domains that were previously unattainable. They make the impossible happen using smart strategies – accurate appraisals, establishing fair pricing, reaching out to owners directly, structuring creative payment terms beyond just a sale, and handling legal processes smoothly. 

So don’t despair over that perfect match domain not being available. By partnering with industry pros, you can negotiate to purchase near any already taken domain Read on to learn how working with a stellar broker gets you the domain you want – even when it seems out of reach.

What To Do When Your Domain Name Is Already Taken?

You’ve come up with the perfect name for your new website or online business that is already taken domain. You enter it into the domain registration search bar, hit enter, and then the dreaded news – it’s unavailable. Your desired domain name is taken. 

It’s an incredibly common situation to find yourself in. With over 300 million already taken domains on the internet, more and more of the catchy and common .com names are getting scooped up every day. But don’t panic or get discouraged when you find your preferred already taken domain. There are still plenty of options and strategies to try to secure a domain name for your website.

Add or Change Domain Extensions

Your first thought may go straight to trying different extensions. Instead of .com, see if the .net, .biz, .info, .org, or another extension variant is available. For example, “awesomewebsite.com” may be taken, but “awesomewebsite.net” could be up for grabs. 

Changing the extension can easily turn an unavailable .com into an open possibility. The slight change also means it will still be easy for visitors to remember and find.

Try Unique Prefixes and Suffixes 

Another easy fix is to add a prefix or suffix to the domain to make it unique. Prefixes that indicate location (e.g., your city or state) or descriptors that relate to your content are handy to use. For example, if “greenproducts” is taken, try versions like

• nygreenproducts 
• ecofriendlygreenproducts
• greenproductsco

You can also add numerals like greenproducts01 or greenproducts2022 to establish your unique name. Get creative with prefixes and suffixes until you land on an open derivative.

Use a Domain Name Generator Tool  

There are a variety of free domain name generator tools online that can instantly spin variations of keywords and check domain availability. Just enter your primary keywords and these tools will insert prefixes, suffixes, hyphens, synonyms, misspellings, and other mixes, then cross-reference them against domain databases to find suggestions for unused and available domains.

Some popular domain name generators to try include:

• DomainWheel 
• GoDaddy Domain Name Generator
• Nameboy,
• LeanDomainSearch

The automated nature of these tools lets you efficiently try endless combinations to locate an available domain that resonates with your brand.

Search WHOIS Records for the Current Owner

Every purchased and registered domain must have updated WHOIS records listing details about the current owner. When you find the domain name you’re after, look up the WHOIS data to uncover who owns that name. Visit sites like WhoIs.net and Simply WHOIS to research a domain’s registration dates and history, along with the name, address, and contact info for the current owner.

Unfortunately, WHOIS data is not always completely up-to-date or accurate, but it’s a good starting point for information.

Strategies To Acquire An Already Taken Domain 

If adjusting the domain name itself doesn’t free up what you want, all hope is not lost. There are still several strategies you can leverage to try and acquire an already taken domain name:

Make an Offer to Purchase the Domain 

One of the most direct routes is to contact the current owner and make an offer to buy the domain from them. Even if the domain name is already taken to an existing website or brand, many established owners are willing to sell for the right profit, especially domain investors sitting on high-value names. If nothing else, it’s worth asking.

Make sure to research reasonable valuation pricing before reaching out. Domain valuation tools like Estibot can provide appraisal estimates to help guide negotiations.

Browse Domain Aftermarket Marketplaces 

There are entire marketplaces dedicated to aftermarket domain sales, letting owners list domains they have no use for and make them available for sale. These include platforms like: 

• Sedo
• GoDaddy Auctions 
• Afternic
• Flippa

Enter your desired terms into marketplace searches to try and source domains currently being offered up for sale by their owners.

Backorder Domains That May Expire 

Domain names must be renewed annually to remain registered. In some cases, current owners may forget or choose not to renew, leading domains to expire. Backorder services automatically attempt to catch and re-register domains the moment they expire and become available again.

So, if a domain name is already taken that you want, consider placing a backorder for the slight chance it goes unrenewed down the road. Backorder services include DropCatch, Pheenix, and SnapNames. Just be aware there is usually a monthly fee for the ongoing monitoring they provide.

File a Dispute to Reclaim the Name 

If you have evidence of prior legal rights tied to a take an already taken domain name, such as an established trademark registration. You may have grounds to file an official dispute resolution process to reclaim ownership of the name. 

The Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) overseen by ICANN reviews cases and can transfer domain rights if a clear argument of cybersquatting or infringement can be justified. Just keep in mind there are costs involved. It’s not guaranteed and will require documented proof to back up any disputes filed.

Alternatives When Your Ideal Domain Stays Taken

Even utilizing strategies around buying, generating variations, or trying to acquire coveted domains, the one you have your heart set on may continue to elude you. When you have exhausted other prospects, there are two mindset-reframing alternatives worth embracing:

Reconsider Domain Importance Overall

The exact domain name itself is not necessarily the end of all, even if it feels like it. With the right marketing, search engine optimization, and resulting web traffic, users will discover your content and brand. Sites like Tumblr, Wix, and Medium thrive just fine using completely arbitrary domains.

Staying overly fixated on one exact domain name can result in wasted time that distracts from focusing on core business priorities.

Embrace a New Domain That’s Still Memorable 

Coming up with an alternative domain name that resonates with your brand identity can ultimately achieve the same ends. Short, memorable domains using your primary keywords still fit all the criteria for driving direct navigation and embedding themselves in user memory.

Letting go of what’s taken and embracing a different domain name is often necessary. And an added benefit is that the challenge of coming up with fresh derivatives can also spark renewed creativity. However, it’s important to acknowledge that domain name is already taken, requiring adaptability and exploration of alternative options.

Don’t Lose Momentum When Your Domain is Taken

If your ideal domain name is already taken it can be a frustrating hurdle when starting a new online journey. But with an adjustment in approach and techniques to procure what you originally envisioned, you can ultimately navigate around domain name limitations. Getting creative with unique mixes of your brand name or core focus keywords yields lots of possibilities you may not have initially considered.

Test out these strategies, tools, and resources to evaluate alternative domain names until you land on one that aligns with your vision. With the right perspective and persistence, an unavailable desired domain does not have to stop your progress or passion. The perfect name for achieving your online objectives is still within reach.

How Domain Brokers Help When Your Perfect Domain Is Taken?

You’ve found the perfect domain name for your upcoming website or online business. You visualize how it will look on business cards, the simplicity of sharing the URL, and all the branding potential it holds. Then when you attempt to register it – disappointment. Despite your well-planned domain ideas, someone else has beaten you to purchasing and owning the exact name you want.

This is an extremely common scenario thanks to the ongoing explosion of sites being launched. More entrepreneurs and startups mean domain names with intuitive keywords or brand names attached to them get scooped up quickly. But there is a source to still try and negotiate ownership of taken domain names – domain brokers.

How Domain Brokers Work?

Domain brokers act as an intermediary between buyers, domain name owners, and investors. They maintain extensive databases and connections to track down the owners of specific domains you inquire about. The brokers then facilitate negotiations, valuation estimates, bidding wars if necessary, and ultimately domain transfers and sales.

Depending on their size and networks, the top domain brokers can chase down and put offers in front of virtually any domain owner out there. For coveted domains already tied to existing brands, even giant corporations have been known to spend millions to acquire names that align with the products they are unveiling.

Not all taken domains demand astronomical prices though. Knowing what to offer depends on assessing factors like:

• Keyword relevancy
• Length and catchiness
• Existing site traffic and revenue 
• Current bids or listing prices
• General supply and demand trends

This is where leveraging an established domain broker pays dividends. Their expertise, connections, and market pulse can determine what pricing might compel specific owners to sell the names you want.

The Benefits Of Using VPN.com Or Domain Acquisitions

One of the largest and most reputable domain brokerage service and investment firms in the industry is VPN.com. They have over 5 years of experience assessing domain valuations and negotiating high-value sales and acquisitions across their global network of investors.

Some core advantages VPN.com delivers for buyers include:

Instant Domain Search and Assessments

Their comprehensive domain database updates in real time when new names expire and become available. You can instantly search availability across 400+ extensions and they supply quick estimates for bids and buy-it-now asking prices.

Wide Reaching Domain Investor Network

With deep ties among major domain resellers, investors, and independent owners, VPN.com can tap into vast connections to track down most target names and make offers to owners upon request. Their connections span investors and organizations that collectively own millions of domain names.

Secure and Trusted Transactions

As a Licensed Escrow Company focused solely on domain transactions, VPN.com oversees and protects all payments, domain transfers, and final acquisitions parts of each deal. Over $250 million in domain names have been bought and sold through them.  

Personal Domain Brokering Assistance

VPN.com assigns you your own personal broker consultant to understand your wants and needs, give pricing guidance, directly contact sellers, negotiate offers, and ultimately acquire the domain name is already taken on your behalf quickly and efficiently.

When your ideal domain name is already taken, leveraging domain investment experts opens up acquisition possibilities. Resources like VPN.com maximize opportunities through industry ties and secure processes.

The Bottom Line

Finding your perfect .com already taken domain owned feels defeating. But domain experts like VPN.com make acquiring coveted sites possible. Running into 5+ years focused totally on domains, VPN.com has invaluable industry connections and instant name appraisal skills. When your ideal domain name is already taken and seems out of reach tied to major brands, VPN.com’s seasoned brokers make use of relationships to track down owners and negotiate what average buyers can’t.

Though premium names have costs, they have defined brands for years. VPN.com makes the impossible possible for game-changing dot-coms – assessing fair pricing, contacting hard-to-find owners, and handling acquisition details. Bottom line: If you have to get already taken domain? With VPN.com’s brokerage mastery in your corner, owning that name is still within reach.