Searching the DNS for a Domain Before Registering a New Business Name

Post #6: Domain Name Service providers can help you search for an available domain before you commit to registering a new business name.

In this Substack, I will walk you through the process of starting, operating, maintaining, and — if needed — selling or closing your own small business.

Today, I’m going to share how you can check with a Domain Name Service (DNS) to see whether your business name idea is available as a domain for a website.

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👉 Subscribe to this Substack if you want to learn how to setup, operate, maintain, scale, etc… a small business. The Journey began with Post #1.

To review:

• You decided on what service or product you want to offer, and you realized why you chose this one [Post #1];

• You made a list of IDEAS for potential business names [Post #2]; and,

• You performed a variety of quick web searches to see if any of the names on your list were already claimed [Post #3].

• You searched the business entity database with the Secretary of State for each of the states in the US where you plan to set up your new business [Post #4].

• You checked the US Patent and Trademark Office TESS (online search tool) to see whether your business name idea had been claimed [Post #5].

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What are Domain Name Services?

Domain Name Services (DNS) are platforms that allow you to register and manage the human-friendly web address your customers will use to access your business’s website (e.g., yourbusinessname.com).

They connect your domain name to the internet’s underlying system of numerical IP addresses, making it easy for people to find your website.

Source: https://media.geeksforgeeks.org/wp-content/uploads/20240711144434/How-DNS-Works-gif-ezgifcom-optimize-1.gif

Here’s how domain name services can assist you with finding a domain for your new business:

• Search for Availability: They let you check whether your preferred domain name is available or already taken.

• Suggest Alternatives: If your ideal name isn’t available, many services offer creative alternatives, like variations or different domain extensions (e.g., .net, .org, or .shop).

• Facilitate Registration: Once you find the right name, you can register it through these services, usually for a period of one year or more.

• Manage DNS Settings: These platforms also help you configure essential settings, such as pointing your domain to a web host or setting up email.

• Offer Extras: Many services include additional features, like privacy protection, email hosting, and tools for building or hosting your website.

At this point in our Journey, the focus will be just on the first two features: Search for Availability and Suggest Alternatives.

In an upcoming post, we will also explain the best practices for registration and managing your domain settings and options (but that will be for a little later on in the Journey, not today).