Search and buy available domain names

To check if a domain name is available, just type it in GoDaddy's search bar and we'll tell you immediately if someone else already owns it.

1. If it's taken, you can search for your domain name using our WHOIS Lookup.
2. Or try our Domain Broker Service, where we can negotiate acquiring the domain from its current owner.

We also offer a Domain Backorder service, where you purchase a backorder credit to give you a chance to get the domain you want when it goes to auction.

It’s easy to get a new domain. Here are the steps:

1. Decide on a domain name extension. The extension is the part at the end of the domain name — .net, .biz, .org or .com, for example.
2. Think about what business name or specialty you'd like on the other side of the dot. Use our business name generator to find the right one.
3. Type the domain you want into the box at the top of this page. We'll tell you if that particular domain is available and show other you may like better.
4. Pick a domain, add it to your cart and check out. You are now the proud owner of your very own domain. As long as it's registered to you, no one else may use it.

How long your domain registration lasts can vary depending on the domain you purchase. Many domain name registrars will allow customers to register domains for 10 years at a time, but typically customers will register domains for one to three years.

If you want to extend your registration, it’s easy to renew your domain with GoDaddy. You can choose to manually renew or set up auto-renewal, so you ensure it stays registered to you.

GoDaddy's domain name search tool can assist you by offering suggestions and other alternatives to any domain you look for.

While it's really easy to register a domain, having a good domain strategy helps you register the best domain name possible. Here are some hints:

• Make it easy to remember. This is why many businesses get domains with their business names in them. Some people even choose their business name only after they have a domain they like.
• Don't register one that's trademarked, copyrighted, or being used by another company. This can lead to losing the domain and legal problems.
• Typically, there is a limit to a domain length, with the minimum being 1 character and the maximum being 63 characters. Ideally, you want your domain name to accurately reflect your brand, whether it's personal or business-oriented. We provide some guidelines for picking out a great domain name.
• Got a local business? Include your neighborhood, city or country in your domain so local customers can quickly see where you are. Check the list of geographic domain extensions — .berlin .nyc — to see if there's one for your area.
• Avoid numbers or hyphens. Anyone who hears your web address won't know if you're using a numeral 5 or "five". If your business name has a number in it, register both versions — with the number and with the number spelled out (Dashes are just asking for trouble and generally look unprofessional).
• Get more than one. As traffic to your website increases, you may attract then attention of copycats who'll snatch up similar domain names in hopes of drawing traffic away from you. Register similar or misspelled domains early so this won't be an issue later.

You can also learn how to protect your domain name.