If you are looking to buy a domain online, you should know a few things that you don’t necessarily want to hear. It’s hard to prove what I am about to say, but, even so the evidence is out there. Time and time again people who are searching for available domain names come across a name they like. Many people buy these as soon as they see them. Other times, however, they wait a day or two while they decide what name to buy. Often times this can be their biggest mistake. Here’s why:

It’s not clear or official which domain registrars are monitoring domain availability searches, but, I hear all the time about people who find an obscure domain that they like only to go back a few days later and find out that the domain is now owned by somebody. Coincidence? Absolutely not. I’ve had this happen to me too. I searched for a domain and found that it was available. I liked the domain and was planning on buying it a few days later. Well, when I went back to make the purchase I was shocked to find that the domain had been registered a day or two earlier, just after I had checked its’ availability. Annoying? Yes.

I had two options. I could either try to buy the domain from the owner, most likely for a hiked up price, or I could wait and see if the domain was renewed after a year. Chances are the registrar owned the domain through a different name in the WHOIS. A human most likely never even saw the domain. Instead, they will just wait until I offer to buy it before deciding how much they want for it. I didn’t want to play that game so instead I waited an entire year. Sure enough the domain dropped and I grabbed it that same day.

So, what’s the lesson to be learned here? Simple. If you find a domain you like that is available to register, buy it immediately. You don’t know if the lookup service you are using is monitoring your searches and chances are even if they are you won’t get a straight answer from them. The easy way to avoid the problem entirely is to use a registration service that allows you to delete your registration if you change your mind. My personal favorite registrar right now is Moniker due to the fact that they allow you to get a refund for your domains up to 4 days after you make the purchase. This means that you can buy a few domains that you like and decide later with no risk of losing your domains in the meantime. Whatever you do, make sure you either buy when you have the chance or prepare yourself to look for another domain if it’s gone when you go back later.