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What if my domain is taken? Domain alternative solutions, TLDs and premium domains

What if my domain is taken? – 34 Alternative Solutions

/ By / Website Wins
Picture of Marvin Russell

Marvin Russell

As Chief Growth Officer, I'm focused on fueling MemberSpace’s growth through strategic, company-wide initiatives that amplify our brand and connect with our ideal customers.

Table of Contents

“What happens if my domain name is taken?” is a question I hear all the time from entrepreneurs and website owners. You’ve got the perfect name for your business, but when you go to register the domain, it’s already taken. Frustrating, right? I get it because I’ve purchased dozens of domains over the years, and I’ve run into this issue more times than I can remember.

Let’s start with your three main options. Each of these options will lead you down a path of more options which I explain below.

Let’s start with my favorite option first, which is adding a short word to the beginning or end of your ideal domain. 

Watch the video instead?

Watch a video of what you should do when your domain is taken. (under 5 minutes)

1. Add a word to your ideal domain.

This is not only my favorite option, but it’s also, in my opinion, the most popular option. Simply add a word to the beginning or end of your ideal domain.

Keep in mind, your domain and your company name can be different. They do not have to be the exact same thing.

For example, let’s say you start a business called YogaDog, but YogaDog.com is taken by a different type of business or someone purchased it but isn’t using it. Frustrating, I know—I’ve been there.

Well, you can keep the name of your company as YogaDog, but your domain can be something like YogaDogHQ.com.

23 domain alternatives:

  1. My (e.g., MyBizName.com)
  2. The (e.g., TheBizName.com)
  3. Try (e.g., TryBizName.com)
  4. Go (e.g., GoBizName.com)
  5. Get (e.g., GetBizName.com)
  6. WeAre (e.g., WeAreBizName.com)
  7. Its (e.g., ItsBizName.com)
  8. Join (e.g., JoinBizName.com)
  9. Discover (e.g., DiscoverBizName.com)
  10. Experience (e.g., ExperienceBizName.com)
  11. Start (e.g., StartBizName.com)
  12. HQ (e.g., BizNameHQ.com)
  13. App (e.g., BizNameApp.com)
  14. Online (e.g., BizNameOnline.com)
  15. Life (e.g., BizNameLife.com)
  16. Now (e.g., BizNameNow.com)
  17. Shop (e.g., BizNameShop.com)
  18. Pro (e.g., BizNamePro.com)
  19. Club (e.g., BizNameClub.com)
  20. World (e.g., BizNameWorld.com)
  21. Solutions (e.g., BizNameSolutions.com)
  22. Love (e.g., BizNameLove.com)
  23. Today (e.g., BizNameToday.com)

2. Alternative Domain Extensions (TLDs)

If you don’t mind not using the .com, then you’re in luck. Plenty of well know domains are moving away from the .com because it’s too expensive to buy their ideal domain. 

Even better, consumers don’t care. When you starting typeing in a websidress, the browser does most of the work for you, and will help your customer find the right domain based on their search history.

10 alternative domain TLDs if the .com is not available. 

  • .io – Ideal for SaaS companies, tech startups, and software developers.

  • .co – Ideal for startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.

  • .org – Ideal for nonprofits, charities, and open-source projects.

  • .net – Ideal for technology companies, networks, and infrastructure businesses.

  • .ai – Ideal for artificial intelligence companies and tech innovators.

  • .app – Ideal for app developers, mobile platforms, and tech products.

  • .shop – Ideal for e-commerce stores and online retailers.

  • .cc – Ideal for creative projects, global businesses, and content creators.

  • .online – Ideal for digital-first businesses, freelancers, and general-purpose websites.

  • .studio – Ideal for creative professionals, design agencies, and artists.

3. How to buy a domain that is taken (premium domain)

Is it worth buying a premium domain? Well, I’ve bought many premium domains over the years, and personally, I never spend more than $2,000–$3,000. Anything beyond that, and I’d explore alternative domains or TLDs like the ones I listed above.

To find premium domains, check websites like Sedo.com. They specialize in buying and selling premium domains and often list ideal domains that you won’t find on GoDaddy or Namecheap.

A Word of Caution: Always check the renewal cost before purchasing a premium domain. For example, if you buy a domain for $1,500, make sure it doesn’t renew at $1,500 every year, because some do. Look for a domain with a standard renewal price, ideally under $20 per year.

Negotiating is possible, especially with domain owners who aren’t actively using the domain. I’ve sold domains to others and negotiated to buy domains myself. For example, I once purchased a domain listed at $25,000 for just $2,500 by negotiating with the seller. I explained all the other options I had, like the alternatives I mentioned earlier, which helped me get a better deal.

I hope this advice helps on your journey. Thanks for reading!