How to Check Domain Availability: Tools and Tips

A domain name is a key asset for your business – its official address. With almost 370 million registered domain names worldwide as of 2025, discovering a viable domain name that complements your company name, industry, and marketing strategy has never been more crucial.

However, before you start the selection procedure, you must learn about the domain availability process.  Domain search is all about picking the right domain that establishes your brand name as secure, scalable, and memorable, and one that is easily available. But how should you check domain availability?

Let us learn in this guide!

What is Domain Availability?

Domain availability means whether a domain name is officially registered by anyone or not. An unregistered domain name means it is available.

You can assess domain availability by conducting a thorough domain search using the global domain registry. This way, you can enquire if the domain is available for use or not.

Why Should You Run a Domain Search to Check Domain Availability?

By running a smooth domain search, you can benefit in the following ways:

• Distinct Online Identity

Domain search helps you create your web first impression if your desired domain is available. Moreover, if it isn’t available, you can pick another one that is too close to an existing domain. A thorough search for domain availability early in the process helps you build the right brand identity and impression.

• Shield Your Brand from Competitors

If you’re in super competitive industries, such as retail, hospitality, and real estate, owning the right domain means being better than the competition. This enables you to stake a claim for yourself before a competitor or domain reseller does. This will even save you from expensive litigations or rebranding concerns in the future.

• Enhance SEO

Conduct a domain search for the ideal domain name with a keyword that can enhance your search engine ranking. Although exact-match domains are not the end-all, they pass signals to search engines regarding your site’s content and relevance. Remember, however, that a clear and relevant domain is the foundation of all your web marketing.

• Website Deployment

Most business owners map out their website setup and name, only to discover the perfect web address is already owned. This halts progress or, even worse, leaves planning unfollowed.

By testing domain availability, you synchronise your domain hosting, email configuration, and advertising plan. You can proceed with website deployment after checking for domain availability and finalising the name.

Tips and Tools You Can Use to Check Domain Availability

Here are multiple ways to conduct a professional domain search:

1. Brainstorm Name Ideas

Start with the creative foundation without rushing to any domain search tool. A well-considered name will make your brand memorable and credible.

Considerations when brainstorming:

• Look for free domain name registration
• Identify your brand value by analysing what your business represents
• Add keywords related to your business, industry, niche, or offering.
• If you’re targeting a local audience, you can use a domain name with your city or region TLD.
• Choose a simple name that is easy to pronounce, type, and remember.
• Stay away from trademarked words or existing popular brands.

2. Use Domain Search Tools

Once you’ve got your shortlist, it’s time to run those names through a domain search tool. This is one of the easiest ways to check domain availability.

How to do it:

• Visit a reliable domain registrar’s website.
• Type your desired domain name in the search bar.
• Instantly find out whether it’s available or already registered.

Use AI-powered tools to look for SEO-enriched and keyword-driven ideas and brand appearances. The tools propose domain names with extensions available in real-time, cutting down on time and guesswork.

If your preferred name is unavailable, the tool will usually suggest:

• Similar alternatives
• Free domain extensions.
• Premium domains for sale that best match your name.
• Trustworthy registrars also help you with extension or industry filtering, which enables you to search for more niche names.

3. Discover Domain Extensions

Your domain extension speaks volumes about your business. For example, for a business in Australia, you can choose “.com” and “.com.au”.

Some of the highly recommended domain extensions are:

• .com.au – Great for Australian businesses selling in domestic markets.
• .net.au or .org.au – Suitable for associations, not-for-profits, or technical services.
• .co – A contemporary replacement for .com, popular with startups.
• .store, .tech, .design, .online, .site – best for speciality markets and brand creativity.

4. Verify Social Media Handle Availability

Your brand identity doesn’t end at a website. Modern companies require coherent names across digital platforms, especially social media.

• Choose domain names that make it easy for your target audience to find you on social media platforms.
• Look for names that highlight your brand’s professionalism and credibility.
• Pick one that stops others from impersonating your company with the same usernames.

5. Think about Close Variants

Imagine choosing a domain name that is pretty close to the one that your competitor holds. It occurs more than you know, and it’s avoidable.

Here’s how to safeguard your domain name:

• Check for misspelled variants, for example, if your domain name is “CleaningJoy.com.au,” you can also look for “CleanJoy.com.au” or “clean-joy.com.au.”
• Send variations to your primary site to maintain your brand integrity.
• This is a little upfront cost that will save you brand confusion, lost leads, and potential cybersquatting problems later on.

If one of your domains is already taken, a WHOIS lookup informs you more about:

• The current owner of the domain
• Registration and expiration dates
• Contact and Registrar information (if not privacy-protected)

Best Practises for Checking Domain Availability

Follow these tips to enhance your domain search:

• If Your Preferred Domain is Taken, Try Another Extension

If “.com” is not possible, attempt “.net.au”, “.online”, or even country codes. Most of these are still popular and professional-sounding.

• Insert Keywords or Local Suffixes

Expand your initial selection with niche or local keywords. For example, if “GoldCoastCleaners.com” is not available, try “GoldCoastCleaners.com.au” or “GoldCoastCleaners.net.au”.

• Search Premium Domains

Premium domains are short, keyword-rich, or brandable names owned by someone else. These are sometimes worth buying for the immediate authority and SEO benefits. Check premium lists if you can.

• Contact the Current Owner

If you’re set on buying a registered domain, run a WHOIS search to learn the current owner’s contact information. Sometimes they might be willing to sell.

• Don’t Forget Domain Protection

Once you register a free domain, secure it right away:

-Turn on WHOIS privacy to keep your personal information hidden from the public.

-Turn on auto-renewal so you never lose your domain to an expired registration.

-Purchase the same domain but in alternative TLDs or close variants.

• Register and Host Your Domain

After finalising the name, you must register and host it. Opt for a centralised hosting solution that offers domain setup, support, security, and billing.

Conclusion – Conduct Domain Search with Confidence

The very first attempt at domain search may not be successful. However, checking domain availability from trusted sources ensures you find the right one that keeps your web presence in line.

Unveil limitless potential with Crazy Domains now. Check domain availability, make the most of enterprise-level hosting services, and receive professional advice.