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- The Reality of Domain Speculation on New TLD Launches: Is It Still Worth It?
- The Hidden Domain Name Lock-In: Which Registrars Restrict Nameservers?
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Categories
Category Archives: Domain Names
The Reality of Domain Speculation on New TLD Launches: Is It Still Worth It?
Every time a new domain extension opens for general registration, the same cycle begins.
Registrars send promotional emails announcing the latest TLD. Tech blogs publish lists of "must-have" domain names. Social media fills with people claiming they've secured the next big digital asset. Within hours, thousands of short, keyword-rich domains have been registered.
The idea is appealing: spend $20 on a domain today and eventually sell it for thousands - or even hundreds of thousands - of dollars.
But how
... Continue readingThe Hidden Domain Name Lock-In: Which Registrars Restrict Nameservers?
When buying a domain name, most website owners assume they can point it wherever they choose. However, depending on where you register your domain, you might run into an unexpected limitation: some registrars do not allow you to change your nameservers.
Instead of simply updating your nameservers to point to a new web host, you are forced to manually manage individual DNS records or transfer the domain out entirely. Many platform-operated registrars enforce these restrictions, keeping your DNS tied to
... Continue reading
Posted in Domain Names
Tagged A records, buy domain name, Cloudflare, Cloudflare registrar, CNAMEs, cpanel, DKIM, DNS management, DNS propagation, dns records, domain names, domain portability, domain registrars, domain transfer, email authentication, mx records, nameservers, platform lock-in, SPF, web hosting, whm, Wix, Wix domain
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Anatomy of a Domain Renewal Scam: How Phishing Emails Use Subdomain Tricks
It happens in a flash. You are sorting through your inbox, and a high-urgency notification lands: Your domain name is about to expire in 2 days. It lists your exact domain, a fee, and a convenient "Payment link."
If you hurry up and click, you aren't renewing your domain. You are handing your payment details directly to a scammer.
A recent wave of highly targeted phishing emails - posing as automated registry alerts from major platforms like Squarespace - is
... Continue readingThe Hidden Cost of Free Website Domains (And Why a Custom Domain Wins)
Free website domains are often marketed as “everything you need to get started.” And technically, that’s true. You can launch a site quickly without paying anything upfront.
But what’s rarely mentioned is the long-term cost of starting with a free, platform-branded domain - and why many site owners end up dealing with avoidable problems once they decide to grow.
Free Domains Are Built for Convenience, Not Growth
Free domains like wixsite.com, wordpress.com, or sites.google.com exist to remove friction
... Continue readingHeads Up: “Special” Domain Name Price Increases Coming August 26, 2025
Starting August 26, 2025 at 14:00 UTC, the registries behind a group of specialty domain extensions (TLDs) are raising their wholesale prices. Since registrars purchase domains from the registries, these increases flow through to the end customer. Kind of like Trump's USA tariffs.
The good news: this doesn’t affect the classics like .com, .net, or .org. The change is focused on niche, premium-style domains such as .xyz, .beauty, .ceo, .lol, and others.
That means whether you’re registering, renewing, or
... Continue readingIs Domain Front-Running Real? And Which Companies Might Be Doing It?
If you’ve ever searched for a domain name, only to return a few hours or days later and find it mysteriously registered by someone else, you’re not alone. This frustrating phenomenon has led many to ask: Is domain front-running real? And are some registrars secretly registering domains based on our searches?
Let’s break it down.
The Truth About Domain Front-Running
Domain front-running is the practice of a registrar using search data to register or "reserve" domains that people are
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Posted in Ask David!, Domain Names
Tagged automated bots, bots, buy domain name, check domain name, check domain name availability, domain availability, domain backorder, domain front-running, domain monitoring, domain name, domain watchers, godaddy, icann, icann accreditation, industry practices, namecheap, reputation, user experience
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Domain Name Taken? Here’s What to Do
"Ask David" question: "All the domain names that I have chosen are already taken...what should I do?"
Finding the perfect domain name for your website can feel exciting - until you discover it is already taken.
Unfortunately, most short, memorable .com domains were registered years ago. But that does not mean you are out of options.
In many cases, choosing a smarter variation, adjusting your branding slightly, or exploring alternative extensions can actually lead to a stronger long-term brand.
... Continue reading
Posted in Ask David!, Domain Names
Tagged acronyms, backlinks, brandable domain, branding, cctld, click-through rates, country-code top-level domain, domain availability, domain backorder, domain brainstorming, domain name, domain negotiation, domain variations, generic top-level domain, gtld, high quality content, hyphen, hyphenation, keyword variation, memorable domain, number addition, pluralization, premium domain, seo, tld, top-level domain, user experience
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Domain Name Riches: Countries Cashing In on Top-Level Domain Names
In the digital age, even the smallest of countries can strike it rich. While beaches and mountains might be the traditional tourist attractions, there's a new gold rush happening online: domain names. Countries around the world are capitalizing on the unique power of web addresses to generate significant revenue.
A Big Winner: Anguilla for the .ai - i.e. Artificial Intelligence
One of the most notable examples is Anguilla, a tiny Caribbean island. Thanks to the booming artificial intelligence industry,
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Posted in Ask David!, Domain Names
Tagged .ai, .co, .io, .ly, .me, .tv, anguilla, artificial intelligence, British Indian Ocean Territory, ccTLD (country code top-level domain), Colombia, country code top-level domains, country tlds, country-code top-level domain, domain hack, domain name, gaming, Libya, personal branding, seo, streaming, tech startup, tld, top-level domain (TLD), tuvalu
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What is Domain Squatting and how to protect your domain name?
A Digital Land Grab
Domain squatting, also known as cyber squatting or domain name hijacking, is a deceptive practice where individuals or groups register domain names that are identical or confusingly similar to existing trademarks or brand names with the intent to profit from them. These digital squatters often hold these domains hostage, demanding exorbitant sums of money from legitimate owners to relinquish control.
How Does Domain Squatting Work?
The process of domain squatting typically involves the
... Continue readingWhy Are .io Domain Names So Expensive? Are They Worth the Hype?
The .io domain extension, originally assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, has surged in popularity, particularly among tech startups and online businesses. This increased demand has naturally led to higher prices for .io domain names. But is the hype justified? Let's dive in.
Understanding the .io Domain Boom
The .io domain's appeal stems from a few key factors:
- Short and Memorable: Its brevity makes it easy to remember and type.
- Tech-Centric Image: The association with the tech-heavy Indian Ocean