Easily Discover Available Domain Names Using Node.js Module
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Domain Finder
Selecting the right domain name is crucial for anyone planning to launch a website. I faced similar challenges when trying to find an appropriate name for my own site.
What steps do most people typically take to choose a domain name?
- Search online: How to check for available domain names.
- Use services like GoDaddy or similar platforms.
- Spend considerable time searching for various domain names, often finding that the ones they prefer are unavailable.
- Settle for any available domain name among the options.
These methods may be suitable for non-developers, but developers often find time to be a precious resource. If you rely on websites to identify an available domain, you might lose track of the initial names you checked. Additionally, some sites may store your search queries to reserve those names and sell them at a premium later.
Fortunately, the Domain Finder Module addresses these issues effectively.
The Domain Finder Module is designed to scan and compile lists of both available and unavailable domains, featuring numerous functionalities that I will delve into further.
Section 1.1: Getting Started with Domain Finder
To begin using the Domain Finder, follow these installation steps:
- Install Node.js and npm.
- Create a basic Node.js project with the command npm init -y.
- Generate an index.js file.
- Install the domain-finder package using npm install domain-finder.
- Final project structure:
Section 1.2: Exploring Features of Domain Finder
Let’s explore the Domain Finder module through several examples.
Feature 1: Domain Name Generation
In the index.js file, if the domainNames variable is a single word, the module generates variations and checks domain availability based on top-level domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, .org, and others.
For instance, if the word is "KING", the possible variations would be: ["KING", "GKIN", "GIN", "INK", "KIN", "GI", "IN", "KI"].
Note: To optimize the number of requests, the module only selects words longer than three letters. Thus, the valid list becomes: ["KING", "GKIN"].
The results are saved in a .txt file, timestamped for your convenience.
Feature 2: Terminal Output Display
I have incorporated a useful feature that displays domain status results directly in the terminal.
By adding the consoleLog: true option to the domainFinder function, the results are printed in the terminal. By default, consoleLog is set to false.
Feature 3: Specific Word Availability Check
If you wish to check the availability of a series of specific words, you can use the following code:
It is advisable to avoid jumbling letters to form new words when checking multiple domain names to optimize request numbers.
Feature 4: Creating Unique Domain Names
As is common knowledge, many straightforward domain names are often claimed by individuals or corporations. Sometimes, companies reserve names based on user searches.
To create a unique domain, you can merge words, for example:
- Postfix examples: domain + media, domain + coin, domain + hub
- Prefix examples: i + domain, digi + domain
- Combined examples: i + domain + movie, digi + domain + hub
For domains with fewer than four letters, consider using prefixes or postfixes.
Note: As mentioned earlier, if only a single word is given, we utilize jumbled letters with prefixes and postfixes.
A Final Note on Domain Finder Module
I developed the Domain Finder as a Node.js module, which you can find at the following links:
If you find the Domain Finder module useful, I would appreciate your support by clapping and following me on Medium. Your encouragement motivates me to share more valuable content. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Chapter 2: Additional Resources
This video titled "NodeJS Essentials 09: DNS Module" provides further insights on managing DNS within Node.js.
The video "How to Check Domain Name Availability for Website" offers practical tips for verifying domain name availability.