Domain Kiting Can Cost You
A couple of months ago I was looking for domain names related to my business. Not that I’m not happy with my current one, it’s just that I was trying to get away from the email address that never ends.
So I hopped over to GoDaddy and started searching.
Already registered . . .
Already registered . . .
Already registered . . .
If you’ve ever searched for a domain name, you know just how frustrating it is to try to find one. Particularly when 90% of the domains you check out are registered by squatters.
On a fluke, I just happened to do a WHOIS look up on one that was already registered. The registrant was Network Solutions. I thought it was a little odd and was wondering if it was in a redemption period.
So I went to the Network Solutions web site and looked up the same domain. It was listed as available.
They were kiting the domain name I wanted!
Domain Kiting was coined in 2006 by Bob Parsons, CEO and Founder of GoDaddy.com. What is it? There is a more detailed description on Bob Parson’s blog, but in a nutshell unethical registrars commandeer the use of domain names without paying for them.
So because Network Solutions had a hold on the domain name, I had to go through them to register it when I should have been able to go to the registrar of my choice. Their registration fee is $34.95 per year to GoDaddy.com’s $9.95.
Here are a few tips if you are looking for a domain name:
- Use an ethical registrar to search for availability.
- Look up the WHOIS registrant data. If it looks like it is held by a registrar, go to their web site and see if it is listed as available.
- Visit the web site to see if there is an actual site up.
- If you absolutely love the name, consider a domain buy agent to make an offer to buy the domain.
