How to Check Domain Name Availability

You've decided to build a website, but don't want to begin until you've thought of the perfect domain name. After much deliberation on the perfect name, you've made your decision. Now there's just one final test for it to pass--the domain name availability test. Once passed, you can relax, knowing that your site name was among those of available domain names after all. If you fail the ultimate test, there's no need to worry--there's a tool that automatically helps you by checking the domain name availability of other similar names, and if none of them suit your taste--get back to work! You have a domain name to think of.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Go to NetworkSolutions.com's domain name availability search tool (link in resources below), and enter the domain name or names you want to check.

2. Check the boxes of the extensions you want to search for. For domain name extensions from other countries, click on the tabs to make their boxes visible.

3. When you've made your selections, click the "Search Now" button to begin the domain name availability test. Names that have already been taken are marked with "TAKEN," while names that are available appear in green.

4. Scroll down and you'll see a box of similar available domain names to give you some ideas, and you'll also see a box that lists misspellings of your chosen domain name. If a certain misspelling is common enough, it can drive traffic away from your website, so you may also be interested in selecting some of these.

5. After selecting the available domain names you want, you can register with Network Solutions by clicking the "Add Domain(s) to Order" button or you can just say "Thanks for the free search tool," and register instead with a place that better meets your needs.

Resources

• Network Solutions -- Search Tool