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The short answer: a name that is already registered cannot be registered again. But “taken” means different things: the name may be in use, parked and unused, or about to expire. What you can do depends on which, and nearly always there is a good alternative sooner than pushing for that name.
First, understand the case
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The alternatives, from simplest to most work
| Option | When it fits |
| Another extension of the same name (for example, your country’s instead of .com) | When the name is mainly for customers in your country. See How to choose the right domain. |
| Add a word that says what you do or where you are | “companyname” becomes “companyname-services” or “companyname-maputo”. Prefer words to numbers and avoid many hyphens. |
| A different name, short and easy to say on the phone | Almost always the best choice: a new brand with a free name is worth more than an old one with a crooked name. |
| Contact the holder | If the name really matters. Be polite, say who you are and what you want the name for. Expect a high price, and there may be no reply. |
| Wait for it to expire | A domain that is not renewed goes through stages before becoming free again. See Expired domain. There is no guarantee the holder will not renew it. |
| Beware of names almost identical to another company’s. Registering a name similar to a well-known brand, to win its customers, can be treated as abuse and lead to losing the domain. Choose a name that is yours. |
| Before paying for a name, check that the social media handle is free too and say the name aloud to someone: if it has to be spelled out, it is bad. When the right name is free, register it at once and add e-mail on your domain: Free e-mail or e-mail on your own domain. |
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Want help choosing between a few names you thought of? Open a ticket with the list and what the business does. Open a support ticket |
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SEE ALSO How to choose the right domain for your business WHOIS: what it shows about your domain and how to check it Expired domain: what happens and how long you have to recover it |
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