Many Domain Names Are Already Used

With your list of possible domain names in hand, you need to check which ones are available. Even if one of the sites you used in the previous 20 minutes says they're available, you still need to check. There are millions of legitimate owners of web site and they've take up a lot of the available domain names. Add in the "scalpers" mentioned in the previous task and there's a good likelihood that your favorite domain name choices are already taken.

Your 20 Minute Task

To check if names are available, go to whois.domaintools.com. Type in each domain name in turn to see if it's available. If it's not, cross it off your list. When you're done, you'll have a list of available names. While you're at it, you'll probably think of yet more possible domain names. If so, see if they're available and write them on your list.

If you have your heart set on a particular name and are willing to pay a lot for it, you can also try reseller sites like www.sedo.com. It carries domain names from "scalpers" but it also has names from people who bought a domain name for a prospective site but don't want it any more.