You’ve come up with the perfect domain name for your brand’s website. But how do you check if it’s available? What if someone else has already registered it? How can you find an alternate domain name for your brand? Simply put, how do you check if a domain name is free?

These are all important questions about checking domain name, and we’ll answer them all in this guide

Check a Domain with Gatehills Search Tool

The best way to check an available domain name is to use an online domain search tool. All the domain registrars have common tool known as search tools. (We also haves one on our domain search page!)

No Need to Wait!

Simply make a query, and the tool will run a real-time check across international domain name databases. This means there’s no long waiting period, you’ll know immediately whether your dream domain is available.

Finding Alternative Domain Names

It can be frustrating to find that someone else has already registered your brand or business domain name! But don’t get worried, it’s easy to find alternative domains related to your brand or business name. When you run a query, our ai domain name suggestion tool automatically creates a whole list of alternative available domains with different TLDs like .com, .ae, .co.

This AI feature also makes our domain search tool ideal if you’re struggling to pick the perfect domain name. You might even discover that the tool suggests an alternative domain name that’s better than your original idea!

Use a Domain Broker to Get Your Dream Domains

What if you check a domain name and find it’s already taken, but the alternatives don’t quite work for you? That’s when it might be time to use a domain broker. Domain name brokers are specialists in negotiating the purchase of pre-owned domains.

Is Domain Brokers Expensive?

You’ll likely need to pay more than you would for an unregistered domain name. The current owner will probably ask for a higher price than a standard registration fee, and the domain broker will charge a commission. Still, securing the perfect domain could be crucial for your business’s success, and you might find that the extra cost is worth it.

Types of Domain Name

When you’re checking for a domain name, you’ll likely come across various endings, known as the TLD or Top-Level Domain. This is the final part of any domain name and can give you valuable insight into the type of website you’re about to visit. Here are some of the most popular TLDs along with their explanations.

.com TLD

The .com TLD stands for “commercial.” It’s the most popular and widely used TLD, known for carrying a lot of trust. While it’s usually more expensive than other TLDs, it’s a great way to add a sense of international credibility and reassurance to your website.

.org TLD

A website using org TLD means it is dealing with organisation. It is most used for non-profits and charities; however, anyone can use this tld.

.co TLD

The co TLD stands for ‘company’, it is a great option if you’re a company wanting to show your business more online. Mostly big brand to showcase themselves use this tld.

.gov TLD

Domain names ending in gov are only for governmental organisations. This is a locked domain, only organisations within a government can use this TLD.

.edu TLD

The edu domain stands for ‘education’ and can only be used by educational organisations.

.ae TLD

An .ae domain name is different from the ones listed above because it’s a ccTLD, or Country Code Top-Level Domain. Similar to .co.uk or .us, these TLDs indicate where a company, website, or organization is based. An .ae domain specifically refers to a website linked to the UAE.

Why Does Top Level Domain Matter?

Different TLDs have different meanings according to their use and have different authority across the internet. We touched on this earlier with .com domains being seen as more trustworthy than others. However, the choice of TLD can play a much bigger role than just personal preference. It can influence how your website is perceived and even impact its reach, credibility, and search engine rankings.

Domain Authority

A domain ending with .edu or .gov TLD carries more authority than standard open domains. This is because these domains must adhere to specific standards of reference and accountability. Managed through a domain registrar, obtaining these domains requires additional information and account verification to ensure they are locked and properly regulated.

Country Domains

TLDs like .ae or .uk refer to the country where the website is based, adding an extra layer of trust and appeal for local users. If you’re aiming to reach audiences in specific markets, using ccTLDs can be highly beneficial, as they can help increase your website’s credibility and relevance in those regions.

Check a Domain Name For SEO

Some domain names have a past and a history. Although this might be a little bit spooky or concerning, it isn’t as long as you check your domain name properly. It can be very beneficial to the new owner.

To assess a domain’s SEO potential, consider the following key factors:

1. Keyword Relevance: Include relevant keywords to help search engines understand your content (e.g., “bestrunningshoes.com” for a running shoe store).
2. Length & Simplicity: Short, simple domain names are easier to remember. Avoid hyphens, numbers, or special characters.
3. Memorability: Choose a name that’s easy to recall, type, and share.
4. Domain History: Check the domain’s past for any negative SEO impact, such as penalties or harmful backlinks. Use tools like the Wayback Machine to investigate.
5. Domain Extension: .com is the most trusted, but other extensions may work based on your business and audience.
6. Domain Authority: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEO.AI to check the domain’s strength and reputation. A higher authority indicates a more trustworthy domain.