| > (used for reference) (used for reference) (used | | | | decide not to develop it, you can sell the domain, |
| for numbers reference) | | | | park the domain for future use, or let it drop back |
| Beware! There are some things to watch out for | | | | into circulation losing only the initial $6.95 investment. |
| when selecting your domain name. The domain | | | | Second, if you aren’t ready to buy the |
| landscape is incredibly crowded. There are over one | | | | domain and prefer to search and mull it over, then do |
| million domains registered daily (there were 1,263,695 | | | | not use a registrar like GoDaddy to search for |
| domains registered on 8 Jun 07 according to Domain | | | | domains. Using the GoDaddy search option, I lost and |
| Tools). The good news is that domains drop, expire, | | | | literally the day after I looked them up. I naively |
| and come back into circulation. You can also still come | | | | thought it was a freak coincidence. I have since been |
| up with some great names. The bad news is that | | | | educated. |
| there is a segment of the domain industry that is | | | | It is also important to note that GoDaddy is doing |
| more than willing to snatch your domain idea if you | | | | nothing wrong. Their search mechanisms often place |
| take one misstep. | | | | previously searched names in the domain suggestion |
| One of the most popular ways to search for the | | | | fields on future searches. They just do what they do |
| availability of a domain is to type the name directly | | | | best, and that is sell a whole bunch of domain names |
| into a registrar like It makes sense to check there, | | | | for a low cost. A lot of domaineers use to do domain |
| because if you confirm the availability, then you can | | | | availability searches and swear by the authenticity |
| simply register the name right then and there. If you | | | | and security of Moniker. I haven’t personally |
| do this, there is absolutely no problem. However, and | | | | used this site, but it has been recommended to me |
| this is a huge however, if you decide to wait and | | | | by several different esteemed sources. Again, the |
| think on it, you run the risk of losing this name to a | | | | best policy is to register the domain if you even |
| domain squatter. In fact I can almost guarantee if | | | | remotely like the domain. |
| you have even a remotely useful domain name, it will | | | | In closing it is a real drag to come up with a great |
| be gone. Domain squatters are doing absolutely | | | | domain just to lose it the very next day. When I |
| nothing illegal. They are simply staking a claim of | | | | came up with the name I had two credit cards in |
| internet real estate albeit with a little inside | | | | hand with my registrar account information all ready |
| knowledge garnered from your seemingly innocuous | | | | to go. I for sure was not going to lose this one. |
| search. Instead of paying $6.95 and some change for | | | | I don’t know what happened to the |
| that great domain, you’ll be faced with a | | | | FossilCreek website, but I followed up on the |
| request for $500 and up depending on how desirable | | | | Webistics domain name and learned that it sold for |
| the domain is. | | | | $100. Thankfully, it wasn’t thousands of |
| Here are some ways to prevent this. First and | | | | dollars, but it’s still $93.05 that could have |
| foremost, if you even begin to consider looking up | | | | gone to my pizza and Diet-Pepsi fund! If you have |
| domains names, and I don’t care where you | | | | any questions, tips, or suggestions, please feel free |
| look it up, have a credit card in hand and pull the | | | | to email me. I enjoy the feedback, and I especially |
| trigger! Buy the name right then and there. If you | | | | like the success stories. Leona. |