Domainr – Review

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By: nb.io

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2010-08-25

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Price: 0.00

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With the proliferation of URL shorteners used in sharing permalinks to posts of general interest on various social networks, most prominently on Twitter, came the demand for clever, short URLs. Soon there were sites accessible by typing in browsers their short, memorable domain names: tr.im, is.gd, and the current leader in the URL shortening arena, bit.ly (which also works under the name and address, j.mp). But clever domain names aren’t used only for link shortening sites. Often they’re key to creating internet brands, whether it’s for a new startup or a simple personal blog. To aid site owners in choosing a good domain name, Domainr came to exist.

Domainr’s name itself is a product of ingenious domain nomenclature, also known as domain hacking. Domainr’s Web site can be visited by typing domai.nr. The .nr there is the little known internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Nauru. Many ccTLDs as well as the more common TLDs, such as .com, .net, and .org, are available to be exploited when vying for a memorable domain hack.

The Domainr Web site is simple and intuitive to use. Simply type a word or phrase on the search bar and Domainr will return several suggestions. Proceed with the registration process if you see a domain name that catches your fancy. For example, if you’re a guy named Benjamin and you’re looking for an appropriate URL for your brand spankin’ new personal blog, you simply type “benjamin” into the search bar and let Domainr work its magic. The most desirable result would have to be “benjam.in”, which uses the ccTLD for India. If this domain name is not yet already taken, then you might as well grab it. 

The same straightforward approach is implemented in the Domainr official iPhone app. You type a search string, make a selection among the results, and see if they can be registered. In the app, tapping a suggestion leads to a page informing you whether the domain name is available or for sale. Here several options are also found: save via email, Wikipedia and IANA.org look-up for TLD info, site visit if the domain is already live, and WHOIS search. If a domain is available and you elect to register, you’ll be taken to the registration page on the built-in browser.

The app is bare-bones, but it works fine. It has a simple interface with no shiny extras but it does have a few relevant features. Heck, even its app icon is a little blurry. But for the domain name hacker in you, the Domainr iPhone app is a good companion.