What's the best way to find a great domain name?

[jbischke]

We're in the process of looking for a domain name for our new company. We're having a Dickens of a time. Because of all of the squatters/parkers, etc. it's really tough these days. Here's what we've tried so far:

PickyDomains.com - I love this service and we've had over 600 suggestions. However, the only suggestions you get are for available domain names and there just aren't that many good ones out there. We're willing to pay $1-$2K for a good name so it'd be great to find a PickyDomain-type service for names that are for sale or auction.

Domain Tools - I love this site because it aggregates "For Sale" and "Auction" domains from different sites. However, the search tools are a little limited (e.g., I'd love to be able to use the same filtering for "For Sale" domains that I can use for "Auction" domains).

Are there any other services out there that help with finding a good domain name? What other ways have you used to find domain names?

Thanks!

[mustard76]

It all depends on how you plan to market your domain. Spend some time thinking about that before you spend loads of cash on a wiz-bang sounding name.

If you plan for people to hear about your website via word of mouth, look for a spellable, pronounceable, brandable name. You can get all of these with .net, .org and many others like .tv etc. Using .net or .org can save you a bundle.

Also, try throwing some numbers in your name. Like BackLot45.com or something like that.

If you plan to attract customers using organic search (SEO) then don't be afraid to get a domain with a hyphen. (e.g. dog-collars.com)

If you are targeting a niche market, then come up with some terminology that people in that industry use and try to make a domain name out of it. The name won't make sense to the rest of us, but your customers will understand it as an inside joke. (e.g. TapeOutCity.com -this one makes sense for the semiconductor industry)

Feel free to PM me with more details about your site if you want more help.

[OnionJack]

My favorite is going to Http://www.internic.org/whois.html and typing in random domain names until I find one that isn't taken.

[MartialDev]

It might prove easier to rename your company to a nonsense name that no squatter wanted, e.g. FogDog, Jobdango, etc. Seriously.

[Dwane J.]

Try this meathodology.

1) Find something a name you like

2) If taken reference the sites below to develop a purchase or renaming strategy.

NamePros.Com - Buy, Sell, & Discuss Domain Names - leading domain forum, might find something there

Deleted Domain Names - Search recently dropped names, might find something with rank

Domain name auctions to purchase quality expired and deleting names - I think this and several other sites buys dropped names in bulk forcing you to go through options.

[Ponce]

Tell me what you want to do and I'll make you a domain name, no charge.

PS: In PM if you please.

[Dan.Linehan]

I'm with Ponce... find someone who is good at finding available domains...

Name selection is too intuitive of a process for computers to be very good at it.