6 Tools For Domain Name Research and Registration in the UK

Once you’ve decided on a name for your website, you will need to use a domain checker to find out whether your new site’s address is available.

Find a reliable site that offers more than just a tool to check domain names. A good name checker tells you what names and extensions are available.

A good domain checker will also provide synonyms for your original name choice. Let’s examine a few of the best tools for domain name searches and registration in the U.K.

How Do Free Domain Checkers Work?

Just search for ‘domain checker’ in any search engine. Select one of the many options that come up. Go to the site, and you’ll probably find the search toolbar on the first page that opens.
Type in the name you want to use for your online business, and the tool will generate a variety of options. Pick one that you like, and pay for it online.

It’s best if you purchase a name from the same company that you want to host your website because this will save lots of time and trouble transferring your domain name and website at a later stage.Choices like these add up and give you more time for focusing on aspects like digital marketing and growing your business.

Hostinger’s Domain Checker

Hostinger’s domain checker is a good place to start when looking for a business website name in the U.K. Type in your selected name to conduct a search, and you immediately have access to a long list of domain names and extensions.

Hostinger is definitely a reliable registrar with ICAAN certification and offers a large variety of domain extensions, from the ccTLD .co.uk to more niche options like .xyz.

Additionally, you’ll be treated to a very fair price, get access to high-quality web hosting at an affordable price, and can even get your chosen domain free for the first year if you opt for one of the annual plans.

The UK Domain by Nominet

The UK Domain offers an over simplistic outcome for name searches. A quick entry of a name reveals only basic .uk ccTLD extensions to choose from.

When the options are so slim, it forces you to look further afield for a suitable domain name. Good advice is offered to customers regarding name choices and extensions but is no better than that provided on other websites.

Simple is good, but I prefer something that offers a little more value than what is contained on this website.

There is a lot to be said about recommending solutions that customers haven’t yet thought they needed, and this site fits this description fairly well.
However, if you’re looking for a .uk domain name, this is definitely a well-known registrar with a very solid reputation.

123 Reg

Another simpler approach to finding domain names, 123 Reg generates basic name results with each check. Only 15 names popped up after my first check, which was a little disappointing.

But, if you’re not into making decisions when faced with loads of options, or are dead set on what you want, then this simple tool search will do the trick.

Otherwise, if you enjoy lots of variety, and are looking for premium search options, then go for a tool like Domain Names or Ionos, that go the extra mile to distinguish themselves from other domain checker service providers.

However, much like the UK Domain, if you want a ccTLD domain name, 123 Reg will provide for you, and will bring their great reputation to the table too.

Instant Domain Search

New domain names and names for sale are a helpful feature when using this tool. Users can also expect additional name generation, and inspect expired names as potential business brands, all of which are presented in milliseconds.

These basic ‘hacks’ help set this domain checker tool apart from competitors, making it a favourite ‘go-to’ site for name inspections. Also, Instant Domain Search has taken care to ensure rapid results, making this a favourite domain checker for budding startups. Although not much faster than most other sites, a little extra speed never hurts.

Ionos

Ionos spits out results in milliseconds, just like Instant Domain Search. Availability of your business name and .uk extension pop up are revealed immediately.

A variety of popular extension suggestions follow that you probably never knew existed. Then the site delivers even more recommendations for you to consider.

If your creative abilities fail you when it comes to name selection, this is a helpful destination to visit because of the many alternatives it offers, making it one of the more comprehensive tools available.

GoDaddy

Another strong addition to the list. Enter your domain name into the search bar, and you’re immediately presented with a list of approximately 40 names and extensions.

Names and extensions are produced that you didn’t even know existed. Prices are visible for each name, which is a given, but this site differs from many others because it calculates the potential value of a specific word choice.

Few other sites contain this feature, making it one of the more comprehensive ones out there.

In contrast, this site provides for a relatively basic output for name availability, without being too lean.

Conclusion

Happy hunting with this array of helpful domain checker tools. Take your time to select the right business name that will be sustainable in the long-run. Remember to purchase a domain name from the same company that you want to host your business.

Author Mary Derosa is a passionate blogger and the chief editor at her own content marketing company PRable.org.

Since college, she’s been interested in break-through technology and technical writing about innovative products and services that change our everyday lives for the better.

She’s also interested in web design and photography.