Domain Not Available - What to Do About it

2008-08-11 11:34:00

( Web Hosting-SEO-Web Design )



Not All Web Searches are Successful

You search websites by typing in a keyword, a web address, or by clicking on a link. Typing a keyword in the search box of a search engine will bring you to an index containing different possible websites. You can select one and click on it to get to the website. Or you can locate a website if you know the exact web address or domain name.

Occasionally, you may have tried to search for a website, but instead of being directed to a specific website, you receive a message DOMAIN NOT AVAILABLE or UNAVAILABLE URL. This error message may also appear if you click on one of the entries in a search engine's directory.

What does DOMAIN NOT AVAILABLE mean?

This message means several possible things. First, it may mean that the website you are trying to locate is no longer active. Remember that website owners have to register their domain names with a domain registrar for a fee. For as long as they want to continue maintaining the website, owners have to pay the fee every year. Once an owner stops paying, it means that he is either unable or unwilling to continue maintaining the site and domain name. This in effect causes the entire site to cease operations, just like a real business that closes shop. It also makes the old domain name available to new registrants.

Secondly, he may have switched to a different registrar or changed his domain name. This is often the case with companies who do e-business activities, especially if they have reorganized or merged with other entities. Such organizational changes necessitate the change of domain name as well.

Getting Around DOMAIN NOT AVAILABLE

If you have a website, you should always make sure that browsers can access your site. This is especially important if you're using the site for e-business. A message like DOMAIN NOT AVAILABLE tells potential customers that your site no longer exists.

If you have simply changed registrars or business names, you should still make sure that your customers are aware of the change. You can place an announcement on your existing site before you close it. You can also e-mail your customers.

You can also make arrangements with the search engine and domain registrar to continue listing your old domain name, but also to include an announcement about the new name. This may cost you more, but in the end, it will keep you from losing contact with existing as well as future customers.


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