How can I get the domain name I want?

[bananabar]

Let's say my name is Mike Smith. I'm about to become self employed and want a website - ideally I want "mikesmith.com", but it's not available. If I put it (the real domain I want) into my browser it takes me to something saying the site is 'not yet available' and has done that for several years.

A few years ago my Mum got me a Mr Site thing and I registered "mikesmith.co.uk" through it. I no longer have that site but can't get that domain name either.

Is there anything I can do?

 

[Cromulent]

Is there anything I can do?

Buy it off the person who now owns it, or wait for it to expire and buy it then.

 

[iBlue]

In the wise words of The Rolling Stones, You can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometimes well you just might find another domain name is what you need.

 

[saltyzoo]

http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp


Enter the domain of your choice, then email the appropriate contact, then pray, then realize it's hopeless and pick a new domain name that isn't already used.

 

[arkitect]

Unfortunately mikesmith.com is not exactly a rare name/combination.
Buying it might work… although a lot of hoarders ask vastly inflated prices.

Perhaps better to come up with something a bit more creative?

In the wise words of The Rolling Stones, You can't always get what you want

What she said.

 

[richard.mac]

Mike Smith is a pretty common name, 'Mike Smith' is probably reserving it or something. try your initials before you last name.

 

[bananabar]

Unfortunately mikesmith.com is not exactly a rare name/combination.

As I said, Mike Smith isn't actually my name and mikesmith.com isn't the domain I want - it was an example.

 

[arkitect]

As I said, Mike Smith isn't actually my name and mikesmith.com isn't the domain I want - it was an example.

My mistake.

 

[richard.mac]

ditto