GUIDES
Choosing a domain name, one question at a time.
Plain-language guides on what to check before you commit to a domain -- registration status, trademark risk, history, and how to tell a good candidate from a risky one.
What Is a Domain Name Review?
A domain name review checks status, trademark risk, and history before you commit. Here is what it covers and where to get one.
USPTO Trademark Search for Startups: A Walkthrough
A step-by-step walkthrough of searching the USPTO trademark database yourself, before you commit to a name, a domain, or a logo.
Should I Buy This Domain? A Decision Framework
A practical framework for deciding whether to buy a specific domain -- fit, availability, trademark risk, history, and what to do if it fails.
Is This Domain Name Good? How to Tell
A short checklist for judging a candidate domain name, plus where a human-reviewed comparison against your shortlist can settle it.
How to Check a Domain Name for Trademark Risk
A practical walkthrough of the public records you can check yourself before you buy a domain, and where a professional review still matters.
"Domain Squatting: What It Is and How to Tell Your Risk"
"Domain squatting means someone holds a name close to yours -- a different problem from trademark collision. How to check, and what options exist."
Domain Name Due Diligence: A Founder's Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for checking a domain's trademark risk, history, and fit before you commit -- plus where to get a second opinion.
"Domain Name Background Check: What It Actually Covers"
"A domain name background check looks at prior use, spam history, and ownership turnover -- not just whether it's registered. Here is what it finds."