Whether you are planning to launch a new website, write a blog, develop a web service or establish a start-up company – the domain name is one of the important factors which decides the success or failure of your online venture. Choosing the right domain name for your business or organization is necessary because there is no undo button, when you have registered one.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best domain name suggestion tools on the web and how you can use these services to find creative domain names.
1. BNG – Business Name Generator
This website lets you come up with a new business name and a unique domain at the same time. You simply enter a few keywords or the industry you are in, and it uses artificial intelligence to generate a few suggestions.
If you don’t see anything you like, you can alter your search or click on “Generate More” button at the bottom. The displayed suggestions indicate which popular prefixes are available, but you can also click on “more” to see other prefixes. Once you find a perfectly unique domain name, click on it, and the website helps you register the domain and the business.
Pros
- Can also generate business logos in the process
- Website navigation is easy
- Uses AI to think of truly creative names
Cons
- Some of the unique suggestions don’t have much in common with the keywords unless you manually change the industry before searching.
2. Bust A Name
Bust a Name offers an intuitive way to find creative domain names. Just type in the words that you prefer to have in your domain name and the tool finds you all the available domain names using the keywords of your choice.
You can also edit other settings like adding suffix, prefix or pluralize nouns. The listed domain name extensions are .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz. The app also shows options for domain names that are there for sale on the resale (Afternic) marketplace.
The good thing regarding the tool is that there are a wide range of options e.g checking with a hyphen, pluralizing the nouns, dropping the last vowel from any words and so on. The panel on the far right allows you to temporarily save a domain name that you may want to review later. No registration or signups are required to use the service.
Pros
- Can perform a Whois search when a domain is taken
- Buy domains directly through the website
- Can suggest domain names that start with specific words
Cons
- Website design is outdated
- Word Combiner function is frustrating
3. TRUiC Domain Name Generator
If you are looking to generate unique domain names in an instant, TRUiC Domain Name Generator is one of the fastest – and most creative.
You simply add a few keywords and click on the “Generate” button. You have the option to insert your state, industry or preferred prefix. The results include a mix of totally unique names and variations of your keywords. If you find a name that you like, click on it to see the buying options and to generate an accompanying logo.
Pros
- Fast and unique suggestions
- Easy navigation
Cons
- Some suggestions aren’t related to your search word
- You must redo the search if you want to change the prefix
4. Domain Typer Instant Domain Generator
Domain Typer shows the domain availability as you type, producing hints for domain hosting services and the cost. However, if you want suggestions on a unique domain name, scroll down the page a bit to the Instant Domain Generator section.
As you type, the website quickly gives you a ton of ideas, and you can amend your search as you go. When you find something you like, hover your mouse cursor over it to see additional options such as double-checking availability or setting it as the search term.
Although you can add more extensions to the search, TLD (Top Level Domain) names are also shown as alternative suggestions in a “Domain Hacks” section. Domain name registrars, like Godaddy and Namecheap, are listed with domain name prices. The site does a good job of showing short domain names.
Pros
- Price approximation is fairly accurate
- Easy to navigate
- Domain checks are displayed quickly
- Unique names are seemingly endless
Cons
- It provides functionality to check availability on social media, but redirects to the homepage instead
- Alternative suggestions aren’t as creative as they can be
5. Dot-O-Mator
Dot-O-Mator is another excellent source if you are stuck on choosing a creative domain name. It lets you combine several words and then checks some of the largest hosting services for availability.
If you aren’t sure what makes for a good domain name, there is a helpful “Domain Naming Tips” section that lists some of the most important aspects of finding a home for your website.
When you are truly stuck, you can throw caution to the wind and use Dot-O-Mator’s Web 2.0 Name Generator. By simply pressing the button, it produces a potential name (which could be a single word or a combination) with a button to check its availability.
Pros
- Easy navigation
- Endless options
- Redirects to the domain host for purchase, making the purchase secure
Cons
- Web design feels old
- The accompanying app is only available for iOS
6. Namecheap
Namecheap is an excellent resource if you have a vague idea of what your domain name should include but are not sure where to start. The site’s domain name search is relatively robust, with a few options that others don’t provide.
You can simply type a phrase or keywords to get some ideas, but the real magic happens when you click on “Beast Mode.” This lets you customize your search by adding as many keywords as you wish, searching through all available top-level domains, and using several “domain hacks” such as dropping the vowel, pluralizing nouns and appending a prefix.
Pros
- There is also a “Generator” section that can provide you with a unique domain name and an accompanying logo.
- The search is intuitive and fast, and you can upload as many as 5,000 keywords.
Cons
- Some of the suggestions are just variations with different prefixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "domain transfer" mean?
If you don’t want to come up with an entirely new domain name, you can try to buy an existing domain from someone else. If the sale goes through, the domain will be transferred into your name, making you the legal owner.
What happens to old domain names that are abandoned?
To retain domain ownership, you must pay the annual domain hosting fees. If you fail to do so, the domain transfers to the hosting service and is put back into circulation.
Why are some domains a few cents while others are thousands of dollars?
Several factors influence the cost of a domain name, but the main aspect is usually the top-level domain, such as .com, .org. or .net. These are more expensive than, for example, .beauty or .fishing. Another factor is the words in the domain. Everyday and dictionary words are generally more expensive as they are in high demand and easy to remember.
Image credit: Ilya Pavlov
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