Domain Names and websites are Internet real estate.
- Marc Ostrofsky
You have finalized your brand name and now ready to start your presence on the digital world by choosing your domain name. However, yourbusinessname.com or your preferred TLD is already taken. If this happens, it’s not the end of the world. Below are some 7 creative alternatives for unavailable domain names or if .com is not available.
TLD - what?
TLD stands for "top-level domain", which is the highest level in the hierarchical domain name system. It is the suffix at the end of a domain name, such as ".com", ".org", ".net", ".edu", ".gov", and so on. The TLD provides information about the type of organization or purpose of the website. For example, ".com" is commonly used for commercial websites, while ".org" is often used for non-profit organizations.
1. Know your TLD
If your desired domain name is not available with your preferred TLD, don't worry! There are still plenty of other TLDs out there that might work for your brand or business. For example, you could consider a .net, .org, .co, or even a more niche TLD like .pizza, .fitness, or .photography.
Choosing a different TLD for your website can give you more options and flexibility in creating a domain name that fits your brand and purpose. However, it's important to keep in mind that some TLDs may be more expensive or less popular than others. Additionally, some TLDs may be restricted to certain types of organizations or individuals, such as ".edu" for educational institutions or ".gov" for government agencies.
When we were finalizing the domain for Izles – izles.com was no longer available, so we had to find a way to be creative and think outside the box. The domain .co which was originally created for the country Colombia – is now commonly known to be used as a “company extension” and best used by startups. That's how we ended up choosing Izles.Co.
Another example is the domain .io which was originally designed for Indian Ocean and is now more known as “input output” used by tech related companies. So, dig deep, be creative and think outside the box! Your TLD choice can be an extension of your branding. Overall, choosing the right TLD for your website can play an important role in establishing your online presence, communicating your brand identity plus solving unavailable domain names creatively.
2. Hack It
Another option for a creative solution on unavalable domain names is to hack your domain name by using a combination of letters and words to create a unique domain name that plays off your company name. One way to do this is to remove some letters from your company name and use the remaining letters to create a domain name. For example, "incendio" could become "incend", which could then be combined with the ".io" TLD to create "incend.io". This option allows you to create a short and memorable domain name that is still closely tied to your company name.
Overall, hacking your domain name requires creativity and ingenuity, but it can result in a domain name that is both unique and memorable. Just be sure to keep it simple, easy to remember, and aligned with your brand identity.
3. What's Your Product
If you're looking to expand your brand or business, consider adding a word or phrase to the end of your domain name. This can help differentiate your website from others and give your audience a better idea of what you offer. For example, if you run a marketing agency and your company name is Visions and "visions.com" is already taken, you could try "marketingvisions.com" or "visionsmarketing.com".
4. Scramble It
If your desired domain name is already taken, try playing around with the words to see if you can come up with a new combination that still works. You might be surprised at what you can come up with. For example, if company is called Yummy Snacks and "yummysnacks.com" is taken, you could try "snacksyummy.com".
5. Worldplay
Adding a relevant word to your domain name can help you find an available domain name that still fits with your brand and purpose. For example, if your brand is "Sustainable Living" and sustainableliving.com is taken, you could try "sustainablelivingtips.com" or "sustainablelivingguide.com". This can also help you stand out in search results and make it easier for people to find you online.
6. Put a Place on It
Adding a location to your domain name can make it unique and help with local SEO. For example, if you run a pet store and "petworld.com" is taken, you could try "petworldchicago.com" or "petworldLA.com". This can help you attract local customers and build a stronger online presence in your area.
7. Make an Offer
If all else fails and you really want a specific domain name, consider making an offer to buy it from the current owner. This can be a bit more expensive, but it's often worth it if the domain name is perfect for your brand or business. Just be sure to negotiate in a friendly and professional manner, and use a domain name broker if necessary to help with the process.
Need help on your branding and identity? Our team of experts can easily put together creative options for you including your domain name dilemna. Get in touch here!