How to Find Out Who Owns a Domain Name

Don’t worry if you’ve chosen a domain name for your new website only to discover it’s already taken. Even if your domain name has already been registered by someone else, there are still options.

You can contact the current domain name owner to see if you can buy it directly from them. However, you must first determine who owns the domain.

We produced this step-by-step guide to show you how to accomplish it. Continue reading to discover the techniques for obtaining the domain name you desire.

Step 1: Go straight to the website

If your desired domain name is not available after checking the domain status, the first thing you should do is go to the website directly.

Some domain names are purchased with the intention of later reselling them for a bigger profit. In such circumstances, the website will immediately declare that the domain is available for purchase and provide contact details, as shown in the sample below.

If you type the domain name into the search bar and are led to a genuine website, check the navigation bar or the site’s footer for a Contact Us page.

Either the website owner’s contact information or a contact form can be found there. Take advantage of the opportunity to contact the registrant and offer to purchase the domain name.

Step 2: Go to the WHOIS Database and look up the domain registrant information

If you haven’t been able to locate the contact information on the website, you can use a domain lookup tool.

Some domain registrars enter the WHOIS directory with the basic contact information of new domain owners. This directory is an online database that contains information on domain name users and proprietors.

There are numerous lookup tools available on the internet. The information may, however, be limited due to privacy issues. The following is a list of the kind of information that WHOIS records can provide without violating privacy laws:

• Name and contact information of the registrant (domain name owner).
• Name and contact information of the registrar (where the domain name is registered).
• Domain name registration date and expiration date.
• Nameservers.

Other WHOIS Lookup Tools

Other lookup programs, such as who. is or whois.net, can offer WHOIS information about domain name registrants.

Both of these lookup tools work in the same way as ICANN’s WHOIS lookup tool. Simply type the website address into the search bar to obtain domain registration information for the person who owns the domain name you desire.

Step 3. Make contact with the owner

Hopefully, the actions indicated above will lead you to contact information such as an email address. It’s now time to contact the domain name’s owner and make an offer.

Ensure that your email does not appear to be spam, as the recipient may choose not to open it. Here’s how to increase the likelihood that the domain owner will open your email and respond:

• Use a professional email address. If you have an email address with your business name in it, that’s the one you should use. Otherwise, use an email address with your full name.
• Be mindful of the language. Make sure the subject line is clear and the body of the email conveys your message. Be professional and make it clear that you’re willing to make an offer if the domain name is for sale.
• Make it easy to get in touch. Provide your phone number for a more convenient method of communication.

Other Methods of Obtaining Contact Information

If the above methods to find out who owns a domain name were not sufficient, there are other actions to take.

Contact Domain Registrars

Occasionally, WHOIS lookup tools will only reveal information about the domain’s registrar and not the registrant. In such circumstances, contact the domain registrar and inquire about who owns the domain name you’re looking for.

You can also ask the registrar to transmit the email with your offer and contact information to the domain owner on your behalf. If their customer service is good, they will go out of their way to help.

Go Around the WHOIS Protection

Some domain owners choose to hide their information by using WhoisGuard or other third-party security services. These services preserve their clients’ privacy by supplying their own contact information instead.

Contacting the third-party company and asking them to forward the email to the owner is the best approach to get past this type of privacy protection. While there are no assurances that this strategy will succeed, it will significantly improve your chances.

Use Social Media

Another way to locate the domain owner is to conduct a search on social media platforms. Try to identify the name of the firm that is currently using the domain name on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms.

If you come upon a social media presence for the brand, send them a note. You may not be able to contact the owner personally, but if your offer is compelling enough, your message may be forwarded