Is your chosen domain name taken already? You’ve finally come up with the perfect business name. You can already picture the logo, the branding, and the website. Excitedly, you head online to register the domain name, only to discover that the .COM version has already been taken.
Sound familiar? If you’re wondering what to do when the .COM you want is taken, you’re certainly not alone. With over a billion websites online and thousands more being launched every day, finding an available .COM domain can be challenging, especially if your chosen name contains common words or phrases.
But the good news is, a taken .COM doesn’t mean your business idea is dead in the water. In fact, many successful businesses operate on alternative domain extensions and creative variations of their original name.
Let’s explore your options.
Why Is It So Difficult to Find an Available .COM Domain?
For decades, .COM has been the most recognised and trusted domain extension on the internet. As a result, millions of businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and even domain speculators have registered valuable names. In many cases, the .COM version of your chosen name may not even be actively used. This can be frustrating, but it’s important not to let it derail your plans.
Before making any decisions, take a step back and consider how people will actually find your website.
Consider How Your Website Traffic Will Be Generated
One of the most important factors when deciding what to do when the .COM you want is taken is understanding where your traffic will come from.
If your business relies heavily on offline marketing such as:
- Business cards
- Vehicle signage
- Printed advertising
- Radio advertising
- Word-of-mouth referrals
Then having a domain that is easy to remember, spell, and communicate verbally becomes especially important.
However, if most of your traffic will come from:
- Google searches
- Social media
- Email marketing
- Online advertising
- Referral links
Then the exact domain extension may matter far less than you think.
1. Consider an Alternative Domain Extension
One of the simplest solutions is to move away from .COM altogether.
Many internet users pay very little attention to domain extensions nowadays. As long as your website looks professional and your branding is consistent, many visitors won’t think twice about whether your website ends in .COM, .NET, or something else entirely.
Some popular alternatives include:
- .co
- .net
- .org
- .uk
- .io
- .biz
For UK-based businesses, a .co.uk domain can often be just as effective as a .com.
2. Explore New Domain Extensions
Over the last decade, hundreds of new domain extensions have been introduced.
These can often provide more relevant and memorable options for your business.
Examples include:
- .agency
- .online
- .studio
- .digital
- .marketing
- .consulting
- .jobs
- .media
For example, if you’re launching a marketing agency, a domain ending in .agency may actually be more descriptive than a traditional .com.
While some people are still unfamiliar with these newer extensions, they can work extremely well when paired with strong branding and effective SEO.
3. Look for Synonyms
If your preferred domain isn’t available, try exploring alternative words with similar meanings.
A thesaurus can be a surprisingly powerful tool when brainstorming business names and domain ideas.
For example:
- Growth → Scale
- Assist → Support
- Virtual → Remote
- Studio → Creative
Sometimes a simple word swap can create an equally strong brand while opening up new domain availability.
4. Use Domain Name Generators
Domain name tools can help spark ideas you may never have considered.
Popular options include:
- NameMesh
- BustAName
- Lean Domain Search
- Nameboy
While you may not use their suggestions directly, they can often inspire new combinations and variations that lead to the perfect domain name.
5. Rearrange the Order of Your Words
If your chosen business name contains multiple words, try experimenting with different word orders.
For example:
Instead of:
- JoeBloggsMarketingAgency.com
You might try:
- MarketingAgencyJoeBloggs.com
- JoeBloggsAgencyMarketing.com
- JoeBloggsMarketing.com
A small adjustment can sometimes unlock an available and memorable domain.
6. Add an Additional Word
This is one of the most effective strategies when deciding what to do when the .COM you want is taken.
Adding an extra word can help create a more distinctive brand while improving your chances of finding an available domain.
Examples include:
- JBMarketing.com → JBMarketingGroup.com
- JBVA.com → JBVASolutions.com
- JoeBloggs.com → JoeBloggsStudio.com
You could also consider words such as:
- Group
- Studio
- Collective
- Hub
- Online
- Solutions
- Digital
- Creative
The right addition can make your brand stronger, not weaker.
Should You Buy the Existing .COM Domain?
Sometimes the .COM domain you want is actively being used. Other times, it’s simply parked or listed for sale. If the name is central to your brand and you have the budget, it may be worth enquiring about purchasing it.
However, be cautious. Some domain owners ask for thousands—or even tens of thousands—of pounds for premium domains.
For most startups and small businesses, investing that money into branding, marketing, website development, or lead generation may provide a much better return.
Don’t Let a Taken .COM Stop You
Many business owners spend weeks or months trying to secure the “perfect” domain name.
In reality, your success will be determined far more by the quality of your business, your branding, your marketing, and your customer experience than by whether you own the exact .COM you originally wanted.
If you’re wondering what to do when the .COM you want is taken, remember that you have plenty of alternatives available.
The most important thing is to choose a domain that:
- Supports your brand
- Is easy to remember
- Is easy to spell
- Makes sense for your audience
- Allows you to move forward confidently
Because ultimately, building your business is far more important than chasing the perfect domain name.
Did you know that TVAC offers domain names and web hosting, at competitive prices and a UK-based server as well as remote technical support? Find out more here, and discover how we can help you to secure your perfect domain name.
