There is a very good reason to find out who owns a domain name. Before starting an online business, choosing a domain name that is suitable for your business is one of the first few steps.
Let’s face it, finding a domain name can be daunting especially with how many domains are currently registered. According to Domain Name Stats, there are over 340 million TLD (Top Level Domain) names registered.
Here’s an image I took from Domain Name Stats:
By the time you think of an appropriate domain name, it’s probably already taken. Trust me, I’ve tried that before.
In fact, I still have a list of possible domain names that I would LOVE to use for Smart Affiliate Hub. In the end, I decided to stick with Smart Affiliate Hub.
Do you want to start an online business? I have a complete tutorial here on how to buy and choose a domain name for you.
So if the domain name is taken, you can still do one last thing about. By figuring out who the owner of the domain is, you can reach out to see if he or she is willing to sell it to you.
The downside to this is that you’ll be paying more than usual, but it might be worth it if you really like the name.
In this article, I will go into detail why you should learn how to find out who owns a domain and the benefits that come with it.
There Are Domain Merchants Out There
Before we get started, I want you to know that there are people who make money by buying and selling domain names. These hoarders are buying domains without actually using them.
All they do is find and purchase domain names that they feel will be worth money to someone just like me and you. I’ve found websites that seems to be abandoned with a potential domain name that I’d like to have.
These websites are usually space holders with the domain name owners information made public. There you can reach out to them to see if the name is up for sale.
And strangely enough, some of these abandoned websites are already built-out. Which means you might be able to buy the entire website with the domain name included.
Again, these domain names are usually priced above the average market value. This reminds me of a game that I still currently play where players are holding onto “rare” names to sell for a huge profit.
The Benefits Of Finding Out Who Owns A Domain Name
There are many benefits to finding out who owns a domain name and I’m going to show you exactly what the benefits are. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Benefit #1. Get In Touch With The Domain Name Owner
In my opinion, this is the greatest benefit. After all, you can’t buy something from someone without contacting them first. By finding out who owns a domain name, you can reach out and inquire about purchasing the domain name.
Benefit #2. Find Out When The Domain Name Expires
If someone has a domain name registered for many years. It’s a good indicator that the owner has no intention of selling it any time soon. By using WHOIS Search, you can find out when a domain name is about to expire.
As you can see from the image above, Smart Affiliate Hub’s registrar expires on 09-11-2022.
If you are wondering if Smart Affiliate Hub is for sale, just this indicator alone will give you an idea of whether or not I will be selling my domain name
But that shouldn’t stop you from asking! When in doubt, just ask. The worst case scenario is being rejected by the domain name owner.
Benefit #3. Double Check Your Own Information
If you are planning to buy and sell domain names, it’s a good idea to double check your own information to ensure that it is correct. By knowing how to find out who owns a domain name, you can find out about your own domain names as well.
How To Find Out Who Owns A Domain Name
Fortunately, you don’t have to hire a special agent to find out who owns a domain name. Simply go to a website called, WHOIS. There you can enter a domain name to find out more about it.
Now keep in mind, many people use domain privacy service to hide their information. So if the domain owner doesn’t use a domain privacy service, you’ll be given the correct information.
Here’s an example of a domain name using a domain privacy service:
Here is usual information that you’ll find using WHOIS:
- Who they registered their domain name with
- The domain name expiration date
- The owner’s email address and phone number (if they are not using a domain privacy service)
- When the domain name was registered
- The birthday of the domain name
- And the name servers the domain name is using
These are all important information to have when considering buying a domain name.
How To Buy The Domain Name After Finding The Owner
Now if you’re still interested in buying the domain name after finding the owner. You’ll just have to reach out via email or if they have domain name privacy enabled. You can try going to their website and using their contact form instead.
The above method is quite risky and that’s why most people to work with a domain name broker. GoDaddy, a popular domain name provider offers such a service.
Keep in mind, a domain name broker will charge a fee to help middleman the whole transaction. But it’s definitely worth it to eliminate the chances of getting scammed.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you better understand the importance and how to find out who owns a domain name. Remember, your domain name is practically your brand like Apple, Google, Facebook, etc.
Unfortunately, not every owner is willing to sell their domain name. Or they may be asking for a ridiculous price that you can’t afford. If that happens, my best advice for you is to move on and find a different name.
Even though there are over 340 million TLD names registered, there are plenty more to go around.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section down below and I will try my best to help you out!
By the way, do you like my domain name? I’d appreciate your opinion.
Kind Regards,
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