The domain you choose becomes your call sign – your signature. The recent couple of blog posts on Mission: Communicate have covered:
and
In this post you will be introduced to 5 domain name search tools to help you brainstorm, test, tease, try and land your perfect domain name.
Photo by MJ Photography © iStockphoto
Use these domain search tools and I guarantee you’ll discover useful name options you never knew existed and maybe even lose a few hours of sleep tossing these names around in your head. Well, hopefully you can sleep just fine and still find the perfect domain name.
Or 2, or 3, or… you may find a new hobby in collecting domains!?!
That could be fun – but you want a useful name that really packs just the right amount of meaning and uniqueness. So, here you go.
Revolutionize your domain name search – 5 Great Tools:
a) Mission: Communicate Domain Availability Search
Ok, a quick note about the Mission: Communicate domain search utility vs. the 5 tools. Our domain name search gives you a quick view of whether or not the name you search is available and allows you to register your new name (or transfer already registered names from your current registrar) with Mission: Communicate. Domain registration with Mission: Communicate affords you a complete set of management tools to maximize the use of your domain name. (Setup cname, text, MX DNS records, Google Apps setup, email forwarding, and more).
In addition, when you input a name to search on our site, you will be given a list of available domain names related to your search is also spun and given to you in the results. You can also try a bulk domain name search – inputting more than one name, and of course use the bulk domain transfer to migrate previously registered domain names.
Now, the following tools offer a variety of fantastic variations and idea generation options. Most of these search tools connect to an affiliate domain registrar which allow the creators to earn a bit of $ from the registrars. I recommend these tools for search purposes only. Find your new name, then head over to your preferred domain registrar to handle the registration of your new domain name.
Ready, set, GO!
1 Domainr
Domainr is a domain name search tool that gives you:
- you get a list of domains names using your word with the traditional .com, .net and .org endings
- also a list of possibilities using various top level domains to create your word (i.e. .ie, .ng, .al might be the perfect ending to your word)
- included is a list of subfolder and sub domain names. For example a search of perfectdomain gave a list with this suggestion: perfectdom.ai/n
- A green dot alongside any of the results means the domain is available. A half green dot indicates the name is possibly available.
- Domainr is also available in the iTunes app store
2 Bust a Name
Bust a Name is a unique domain name search tool with instant gratification. Type a word, two words, five, ten… the words are instantly spun into a list of combinations which are available to register.
What Bust a Name does:
- Provides a place to input one word, two words or a whole slew of terms and related keywords
- A current list of available domains names using your words is born
- create groups of words
- save a list of available domains names
- specify to combine two or three words
- sort the results
- automatically find more results by choosing prefixes like “i” or “the” or “my” or even “bust a”
- and more… great for getting your creative juices going
3 DomainsBot
DomainsBot is a popular domain name search tool. Start typing and you’ll begin seeing results. Available domains AND twitter/facebook also show in the results. DomainsBot combines your words, identifies and mixes in synonyms for results. By default the search results include premium domains with a price tag.
This name search gives you the ability to:
- add or remove synonyms automatically in search
- use or exclude prefixes/suffixes
- specify a greater or lesser price range
- exclude premium domain names from results
- require all key words
- exclude numbers or hyphens from search results
- specify domain name length
- builds a quick list of domain searches
4 Dom!ze
This domain name search tool is about speed. Speed to find available domains and also gives you information on already registered domains. Type in a word, phrase or any combo and here’s what you get:
- Domain name extensions in blue = available, red = taken, green = for sale
- Results by default show the domain in .com, .net, .org, .co, .us &.biz names
- A list of domains based on your search – each one letter shorter
- Screenshots of already registered names if taken
- Results can be sorted by “available”, “not available”, “starred” or “all”
- Search options to include more domain extensions (.ie, .be, .info… etc)]
- Advanced list creating options such as rhyming, dictionary word lists…
- and more
5 NameBoy
NameBoy is a domain name search tool that works with two keywords. Once you’ve put those words in the search, NameBoy spins them into unique combinations and lists which are available and which ones are taken.
This search gives you:
- list of unique names based on your two keywords
- availability in these top level domains: .com, .net, .org, info, .biz and .tv
- add selected names to a cart where you can spin them for more variations
- additional domain management tools – regardless of where you have them registered
So to wrap this up for now -
When it comes to finding a domain you want to be able to test out your ideas quickly, compile a list of clear potential winners and make a decision. Each of these domain search tools give you just that. Go take one or two for a spin – or all five just to see where they get you.
Keep these tips in mind as you look for the perfect domain:
- Your domain name is easy to share
- The name is unforgettable
- In a clear way it tells your story
Once you are sure you’ve found the name you then need to register the name and host your amazing website. The primary decision of what domain name to use is crucial – and hopefully these tools help you get it just right! If you’ve got a number of domains remember you can point many names to the same website through domain parking.
Here’s to your happy domain discover!
I think the information is well put together and very helpful!
The perfect name really is important! I’ve had friends who named their blog after their first child, and then had to change it after having more. I’d hate to have to change the name down the road after discovering it wasn’t working for me anymore!
Wow
It is nice to land the perfect name up front – but there is also something said for getting started and moving. You’re right Cate about change being a big deal!
How did they go about making the change? Are they keeping the domain name they chose for the child to have later if they want it?
Here’s a simple truth that makes choosing a custom domain name the best plan – it is not difficult to change to a new name if you took the time to register a domain name in the first place. You can automatically direct your old name to the new name without losing followers/momentum when you make the change correctly!
If you did not choose a domain name when you started a blog you’ll still be able to make the change when you do – it’s a little bit more manual you’re never quite sure what to do with the old blog address that was a sub name of the blog service your chose.
Crucial step for bloggers and all who put effort into publishing online: choose a domain name!
Thanks for taking a moment to comment Cate!