A domain, or domain name, is basically a web site address on the Internet.   Each domain is mapped to a specific IP address on the Internet.  All domains are managed and recorded by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Domains can be purchased online from domain registrars.  A complete list of accredited registrars can be found on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s InterNIC website at http://www.internic.net/index.html.  The fees, charges, and services offered can vary greatly so, some research is needed to determine which registrar will give you the best rate while still meeting your needs.   The registrars frequently offer specials and discounts that can help offset the costs involved in establishing a domain.

Once you’ve chosen a registrar, you can use their search engine to determine if the domain you want is available.  Simply type in the name and then choose the extension (such as .com, .biz, .net, .info, or .org) that you want.  The search results will list the domain if it’s available, any other available extensions, and other available domains with similar names.

If the domain you want is already owned, there are several options available.  The first is to submit a backorder request for the domain you want.  This is done by going to a registrar’s website and paying for the backorder.  However, there is no guarantee that you are the only one that’s waiting for the domain listing to expire.  You may not be the only one that’s submitted a backorder and you may not even be the first person to submit a backorder.  The second option is to try to buy the domain during the “drop period” after it has expired.  See below for more information. 

Expiring domains are domains that, for whatever reason, don’t show any sign of being renewed by the current owner.  This process, however, is lengthier than it may seem.  When the domain reaches its expiration date, there is a 40-day grace period in which the services are terminated but the current owner can still renew the domain without penalty.    After this grace period ends, there is a redemption period in which the WhoIs information is deleted and the owner will incur a sizable fee (about $100) to re-register the domain.  If the current owner takes no action, the domain’s status will be “locked” and there will be a 5-day deletion phase. 

During the deletion phase, the domain is dropped from ICANN’s database sometime between 11am and 2pm Pacific Time.  After the “drop,” the domain becomes available for anyone (individuals and registrars alike) to try to register.  So, 75 days after the domain’s official expiration date, there is a 3-hour window in which you and anyone else can try to grab the domain.

To find out what the status of an expiring domain is, there are several websites (such as ours) and even software programs that are available.

Once the 3-hour window begins, it is theoretically possible to manually register the domain yourself.  However, there are three major companies, whose primary goal is to snatch domains as soon as they become available.  Snapnames, Enom, and Pool basically use similar tactics to bombard Verisign’s databases to acquire domains.  Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on your point of view), these companies can be hired to go after a specific domain.  These companies are essentially hired guns with vast resources that can be dedicated to acquiring your domain if the price is right.

Snapnames.com, Enom.com, and Pool.com are all available for hire.  Their websites have more information on the services they offer.  It is important to note that many people who don’t want to risk a particular domain going to someone else will employ all three to pursue their domain.