Have you ever been curious as to who owns a domain name that you desire? Perhaps it’s because the domain you desire is already taken, and you’d like to purchase it from the owner.
Continue reading to find out how to look up and find a domain owner.
Who is a Domain Owner?
Whoever initially registered the web address with an authorized registrar owns the domain name. To keep ownership, that person must pay registration fees and make sure their contact information is up to date.
A person owns the rights to a web address once they have officially registered for it and provided all of the necessary personal information to an approved registrar.
They own that site address outright and have the right to sell it.
Related article: Can you make money with domain names?
Why Look Up a Domain Owner?
There are various reasons why someone would wish to check the owner of a domain name. It’s usually because the owner has access to the domain and website details that no one else has.
Domain owners also do their searches to ensure that their websites are appropriately displayed online.
Other reasons to look up a domain owner include:
1. You are looking to purchase the domain name
Most of the time, someone looking up the domain owner is trying to purchase it.
There are hundreds of millions of domains registered, and many people and businesses will find that their perfect domain has already been taken.
Purchasing a pre-existing domain can sometimes be as simple as contacting the domain owner and negotiating a price.
It’s usually a lot more complicated, but it all depends on the domain name owner, their website plans, and their negotiation readiness.
2. You want to enquire about specific products or services
A website may not always provide all of the information needed about its products or services.
In these situations, the domain owner may fill in the blanks or provide answers to questions that aren’t addressed on the website.
3. You want to check for genuineness
It’s critical to double-check that a website is what it promises to be before doing business with it. The internet is a central hub of misleading information, and it’s surprisingly easy for websites to intentionally or unintentionally misrepresent themselves.
Investigating the domain owner can assist in confirming the legitimacy of a website, which can provide peace of mind to those looking to perform financial transactions.
Similarly, confirming the credibility of a website might make it easier to believe the information it shares.
4. You want to report a technical issue
If a website is down and there are no apparent means to report the problem, contacting the owner personally might be beneficial.
If there is a problem with the website, its owner will be grateful to hear about it.
How to Find Who Owns A Domain Name
There are a few ways to figure out who owns a domain name. In most circumstances, a quick WHOIS domain lookup is the most straightforward approach to locating a domain name owner.
- Go to their website
If you want to find out who owns a domain name, the first thing you should do is go to their website.
You’ll know right away whether it’s being used to host a website, and you could even discover contact information or links to it on the landing page.
In many cases, you will be sent to a page that has no information at all. If you don’t find any helpful information, try the next method.
- Check the Whois Directory to see if the domain name is listed
The domain registrar who performs the registration must gather basic contact information every time someone registers a domain name.
People who own and run websites on the internet keep track of who owns and runs them with the WHOIS directory, which sends this information to that list.
Enter the domain name you’re searching for and scroll down to see all the information the WHOIS database has for it. In certain situations, the owner’s contact information may be included.
If the owner’s information is not included, you will find their domain registrar and expiration date. This indicates whether or not the domain will be renewed shortly.
If that’s the case, you might be able to get it cheaper after it expires than if you bought it directly from them. However, this only works if they don’t renew.
What to Do If the Domain Registration Information Is Hidden
Sometimes, domain name owners can keep their information hidden or private. This private registration replaces the owner’s contact information with the registrar’s info.
You can contact the registrar with whom the domain name is registered.
Look for contact details on the domain registrar‘s website (if the name isn’t shown in the WHOIS data, Google it).
Give them a call or send them an email describing the domain you’re interested in purchasing and requesting that they forward your information to the owner.
The registrar will have the owner’s contact information on file and let them know that you want to buy their domain. They won’t break the owner’s privacy.
You Found the Domain Name Owner. What’s Next?
If one of the above methods brings you to the website’s owner, the next step is to contact them.
Contact the owner of the domain name
Send an email to them informing them that you’re interested in buying the domain. Ensure your email shows seriousness and professionalism to prevent it from appearing spammy.
A professional email address from a domain name you own will appear more credible than one from a free email service provider.
Make sure your email contains the following information:
- Contact information
Include your email and phone numbers to choose the method that suits them best.
- A language that expresses your willingness to pay
You may not want to include a precise offer just yet (if you don’t know where they stand, you may give more than is necessary), but if they realize this is a legitimate business offer, they are more likely to reply.
- Something that establishes your credibility
How can you demonstrate that you’re a genuine individual with serious intentions? A link to an existing website or a LinkedIn page can help.
Because people receive many spam emails, you’ll want to clarify that you’re a real person with a genuine interest. If you can do that, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a response.
Employ the services of a domain broker
If you didn’t get the domain owner’s contact info, or if you did but would still want some help with the process of making a bid, consider hiring a domain broker.
Suppose you’re inexperienced at buying a domain name. In that case, they can help you figure out a realistic amount to bid, discover the suitable person to contact, and ensure the purchasing process goes through the proper phases to satisfy everyone at the end.
Try a new domain name
Even if you follow all of these steps, the person who owns that domain may refuse to sell or will only accept a higher price than you can afford.
If that’s the case, you’re far from the first person to have settled with a name that’s not your first choice. Consider other domain name extensions—if the .com domain is already taken, .net or .co may still be available.
Why Are Domain Names Important?
Now that you know how to find the owner of a domain name, you should know why domain names are essential in the first place.
Domain names are used to help people find and categorize websites.
However, domain names may mean the difference between a successful online presence and one that struggles to get off the ground for businesses and individuals.
Your business or personal website gains credibility when you own a domain name. There is a good reason why many people are wary of unfamiliar websites on the internet.
Having a domain name only for your company gives your company more credibility than it would otherwise have.
When a company’s domain name is related to the services it offers, it’s easier for internet users to find them, even if they’ve never heard of them.
People who use a search engine to look for services or goods are more likely to be directed to the company’s website, especially if that website’s content has been optimized for search engines.
Related article: Why Are Domain Names Important To You?
In a Nutshell
Finding a good domain name that isn’t already taken is difficult—there are so many websites out there that many good ideas have been taken.
However, you might still be able to get the domain you want. If that fails, a little ingenuity or flexibility will help you develop something that works just as well.
Startup your business website now, check domain status and prices for different TLDs before purchase. To search for the availability of your desired domain name, go here.
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