The situation when your desired domain name is already registered is all too common. You’ve come up with a great name, checked it — and it’s already taken. So, what should you do? Give up the idea, change the name, or wait? Luckily, there are many alternative solutions to help you launch your project without sacrificing your vision.

In this article, we’ll explain what to do if the domain is already taken, provide practical tips, and show how RX-NAME can help you find the perfect available domain.

1. Check if the Domain Is Actually Taken

First, make sure the domain is truly registered:

  • Use a WHOIS tool to check its status;
  • Try visiting the domain in a browser—it might be registered but not in use;
  • Look for the owner’s contact information.

Sometimes, domains are registered but inactive—this opens up opportunities.

Tip: If the domain shows a placeholder or is inactive, the owner might be open to a conversation. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

2. Try to Buy the Domain

If the domain is truly important to your brand:

  • Reach out to the owner (use WHOIS or contact form on the site);
  • Politely offer to buy the domain—name your price or ask for theirs;
  • If they agree, transfer the domain through a trusted registrar or domain marketplace.

RX-NAME offers a domain transfer service that helps securely change ownership.

Important: Beware of scams. Always use reliable platforms for buying or transferring domains.

3. Consider a Different Domain Zone

If your name is taken in popular zones (.com, .ua), consider alternatives:

  • Try newer or regional TLDs: .site, .tech, .store, .online, .biz, .co, .space, etc.;
  • Use country-specific or language-based zones: .uk, .pl, .de, .lviv.ua, .kyiv.ua, etc.;
  • Go for niche TLDs: .shop, .blog, .agency, .design, .dev, .pro.

RX-NAME offers over 500 domain zones, making it easier to find the right one for your project.

Example: If mycompany.com is taken, try mycompany.site or mycompany.ua—they might even work better for your audience.

4. Adapt or Modify the Domain Name

You can adjust the domain structure while keeping the brand essence:

  • Add a prefix: go-, my-, the-, get- (e.g. goexample.com);
  • Add a location: exampleua.com, examplekyiv.com;
  • Add a keyword: example-shop.com, example-tech.com;
  • Use a hyphen: example-shop.com instead of exampleshop.com.

This also benefits SEO—keywords in domains can improve search rankings.

Tip: Keep it short and readable. Avoid overly complex names.

5. Use a Subdomain

If the site is part of a larger platform or program, consider a subdomain:

  • blog.example.com
  • store.example.com
  • ua.example.com

You can even use a subdomain temporarily while waiting for the desired domain to become available.

Perfect for MVPs: Launch test or beta versions on a subdomain before settling on a final name.

6. Reserve Similar Domains as Backup

If you’ve chosen a unique name, consider registering multiple versions:

  • Different TLDs (.ua, .com, .net, .org);
  • Common misspellings (e.g. exampel.com);
  • Short versions (if applicable).

This helps to:

  • Protect your brand from cybersquatters;
  • Avoid losing traffic due to typos;
  • Maintain consistency across email, social media, and ads.

Tip: Redirect extra domains to your main website.

7. Use Domain Suggestion Tools

RX-NAME offers tools to find alternative domain names:

  • Automatically generate similar available names;
  • Suggest suitable zones;
  • Visualize free domains by niche.

These features save time and help you find even better names.

Pro tip: Don’t brainstorm manually—use automated tools to explore more ideas.

8. Don’t Delay Registering a Free Domain

Even if you’re still brainstorming or in development—register the domain right away once you’ve chosen a name.

With RX-NAME, you’ll get:

  • A domain management panel;
  • Hosting and email integration;
  • Auto-renewal options;
  • 24/7 support.

Stat: Over 35% of checked domains are registered by others within 24 hours. Act fast!

Conclusion

A taken domain is not the end of the road. There are plenty of solutions to preserve your idea, uniqueness, and brand identity. Try different zones, modify the name, or negotiate with the current owner.

Most importantly — don’t lose time: secure your domain today at RX-NAME and take the first step toward your successful online project.