How to find out who owns a domain (2024)

You have a perfect domain name idea. You’re ready to register it. But you discover it’s unavailable. The easiest solution is to find an alternative. But you don’t have to settle for second best. You can find out who owns your desired domain and try to buy it from them. Learn how.

Can I find out who owns a domain name?

Yes, you can. The information of a domain name’s registrant is publicly available unless this person chooses to register a domain anonymously. All they need to do is to request this anonymity when registering.

How to find out who owns a domain

Use the WHOIS database to find out who owns a domain name. It’s a domain database that lets you search for a domain name and retrieve its registrant’s information. Using the platform is easy. All you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Go to our WHOIS page.
2. Enter the domain name you want to look up in the search field.
3. Click on “Search.”
4. Read the registrant’s data.

You may see that the WHOIS database has redacted your desired data. It’ll do that if the registrant registers the domain name anonymously. You can contact the domain registrar and ask for help in this situation. You can also visit the website in question and see if they have any contact information present.

What to do after you find out who owns a domain

Now that you have the information needed, you want to contact the domain’s owner immediately. Hold on. You need to do a few things before doing so. Read about them below.

1. Check the domain’s current use

Suppose you want to create an online shop. Another store already uses your domain name idea, and its owner constantly fails to send people what they ordered. Using the same name will transfer this negative reputation to your store. You’re better off choosing something different.

An easy way to gauge the domain name’s credibility is by Googling it. Do it and see what kind of reviews you find online. These will quickly tell you what you need to know.

2. Set your price

You must have a number to offer. Determining an ideal price can be difficult if you aren’t knowledgeable about this market. To solve this problem, visit a domain marketplace and check the price of similar domains.

Another alternative is to take a more direct approach. You can contact the domain name’s owner and ask which price they’d be willing to sell and whether they’re even open to such a possibility.

3. Email the owner

The etiquette for sending a business proposal by email are similar to those for sending marketing emails. Start with a clear subject title. Then, open your message with an appropriate greeting and make your point as quickly as possible.

4. Negotiate

Maybe the domain’s owner will be dissatisfied with your offer and ask for more money or something else. Let the negotiation begin. It’s vital that before sending your email, you consider how high you’re willing for this domain name.

5. Get a contract

A domain name is your property. As such, you need to document your ownership over it properly. Get legal advice from a lawyer and have a professional write an agreement between you and the seller detailing the amount you need to pay and the conditions for the transfer.

Many services exist to help you get a domain contract. You can contact a domain broker for that.