How to Reserve Domain Names

Reserving domain names is actually a more common practice than you may think. Many experienced webmasters do it automatically long before they start a website. Most even register multiple variations of a name for a single idea, since at that early stage in the planning process, it's hard to be sure which name they might finally settle on. And as everyone knows, domain names sell like hot cakes, so a name they think of today might not be available tomorrow.

What I'm trying to say is that you're not alone in reserving domain names that you might want to use. Like many other webmasters, I too believe that it's a good idea to do it. It's just too easy for someone to beat you to a domain name, even if that name is some weird made-up word that doesn't occur in the dictionary. If you want to be sure that a name is available for you to use in the future, the only way is to get it while you can. And as you can see, it's actually quite an easy process, since you don't really need to do anything else, other than getting the name from the registrar (and paying the requisite domain cost).

Another way to reserve domain names is to use a service that has Domain Name Back ordering to help you attempt to acquire a domain name once it becomes available for registration. Godaddy has a very reasonably priced service for reserving domain names.

Domain names are the hottest net-real-estate on the internet. It's no wonder services like: "Domain Name Backordering" is available to the public. Can someone really backorder your domain right from underneath you?

So, what is Domain Name Backordering?

This is a service that allows anybody on the internet to reserve a domain name if and when it goes up for sale! This doesn't seem harmful does it? Guess again...

Companies all over the internet are ordering this service for website URL’s that seem to be popular! What if by chance you just happen to forget to re-order your domain name? Let's say that you go on vacation and neglect to check your emails that are now telling you to renew your domain name? In this case, another company on the other side of the planet sees the fact that your domain name is soon up for grabs, so they order a backorder on your domain name and simply wait to see what you do with it.

So here you are coming back from a very long vacation and what is this? Someone else now owns your domain name because you simply neglected your duty to keep your net-real-estate up-to-date!

Unless you own a Canadian domain, name protected by the CIRA, or you have a trademark on your domain name or business name, you are "really" out of luck. Once you are at this point, it may take months before you can prove to the courts that you simply forgot to renew your website address.

Should This Service Be Allowed?

That is a very interesting question. Some would say yes simply because there are literally 1000's of websites that aren't going to be renewed next month. On the flip side, some of those websites are simply a mistake. I think the point here is; avoid making that mistake and renew your domain name for at least 5 years.

Google is apparently looking through the "WHOIS Data Base" to see which websites have the staying power online and are serious by registering their domain name for more than 1 year at a time.

Again, should domain backordering be allowed?

I say no! Just like a patent for an invention, you should have up to 1 year to claim that domain unless you transfer the domain name to another company or individual. This way we would have less domain name theft and less "hick-ups" from companies who simply forget their important responsibility.

Protect Your Net-Real-Estate!

Your website address is the most important commodity you have online. It is as important as your business name itself. It is what ties your company offline to online. People know you through your domain name. Potential clients may end up visiting your website later on, you wouldn’t want some other company in your place?

Please be careful when giving out the access information for your domain name to anyone that isn't within your trusted circle.

If your domain name is not available and you do not want or can not wait for the possibility of your domain name coming up, you can always scour the web looking for domain names for sale from private parties or companies selling many different types of domain names like Smart Choice Domains.

I hope this article was helpful!