Free domain names - are there any good unregistered domains?
Free domain names are popular for obvious reasons, which is why it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find one that suits the type of website you plan on creating. All the good ones disappear so quickly it can seem like a losing battle.
Fortunately, it is possible to find good unregistered free domain names - you just have to know where to look. Of course, the more obvious free domain names are probably already taken, but that doesn't mean you can't find a way to locate an address that has fallen under the radar screen.
The first way to find unregistered domain names is to come up with alternatives to the ones you've already considered. Change the original address slightly, so that it says essentially the same thing with a minor difference. Search to find out if this web address is available – chances are it hasn't been taken. Another technique is to add dashes to the domain name, so that it says exactly the same thing but with breaks in between. So, for example, search for my-domain-name.com instead of mydomainname.com. This is a good way to make use of what amounts to the same domain, even though it's unavailable.
If all the domain names you want have been taken, including ones with alterations, consider searching for the same domain outside of the .com family. There are several other professional-looking domain names that are under-utilized, such as .net, .org, and .biz. Or, consider using a domain specific to your country, such as .ca for Canada. These are just a few more options for finding good unregistered domains.
Another option is to purposefully misspell the domain name you want – this works well as long as the 'error' doesn't affect the first impression your website leaves on visitors. If you're concerned about retaining a professional image, this may not be the best option for you. Instead of misspelling the domain name, consider replacing words such as 'for' with a number – '4.' Sometimes this is a good way to find a domain name that hasn't been snatched up yet.
The final way to find unregistered domain names is to research niche markets and come up with rare domain names – less popular phrases are more likely to be available for free registration.
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