“I wonder if that’s available” GoDaddy.com Domain lookup via Twitter

We have many ways to quickly check on domain name availability on the desktop with our Vista and OSX programs as well as within your browser using Google IG or Facebook pages, but for the most part these are challenging to stick in your pocket. So how could we make that a bit more mobile, and subtle enough, to use at lunch?

This is a way to solve a problem quite a few people I’ve met at events and conferences wanted a solution for. I have not had a week go by were the question “I wonder if that’s available” wasn’t asked in connection with a domain name that came up in conversation Tthe next couple of minutes were spent just trying to get the question into their phone, never mind let alone geting an answer.

The time taken to access the browser, connect (really slow on some models) open the Go Daddy site and type in the domain on a phone without a “real” keyboard and I’ll wait here until you get back. You could do that or. Send us a tweet!

D domaincheck thedomainnameyouwanttocheck.com

What is it?

A way to check on the availability of domain names using the popular service Twitter.

How do I get it?

Go to http://twitter.com/domaincheck and follow us. If you are not already, log in to Twitter. Alternately, you can send a tweet to follow domaincheck from your mobile device* or Twitter client. We’ll automatically follow you to allow direct messaging between us.

How do I use it?

Anytime you want to check the availability of a domain name, just send a tweet to domaincheck in this format:

D coolexample.net, where “coolexample” is the domain you want to check and “net” is the extension. Do not include the www. prefix before your domain name.

Any top-level domain (TLD) that we sell should work, just keep it to under 63 valid characters - only letters, numbers, or hyphens are allowed.. We’ll send our reply as a direct message and an email, in case the SMS fails to reach you.

If the domain is available, we’ll send you a shortened link to the lookup page to register your new domain, or you can call to claim it with the supplied number.

If your domain is not available, try another. You can keep trying until you find your perfect domain.

Should you type in anything other than a domain name, we’ll be devastated, practically inconsolable. Luckily, we are prepared for such an occasion. Go to (http://help.godaddy.com/article/4848) “Working with Go Daddy Domain Check for Twitter” for more information.

What else do I need to know ? know?

This is not public. It is a private message, but please take care to direct message domaincheck, rather than use @domaincheck or typing in a domain and tweeting it to the whole Twitter world, and possibly giving up your brilliant idea.

NOTE: Anything other than a direct message will not work. If you have not already, you may need to turn on direct messaging for your Twitter account.

We can only check a single domain name per tweet. Send as many as you like, but keep it to one per tweet.

You may have to switch on Direct Text Emails within your twitter account if you haven’t done so already.

*Standard message rates may apply – check with your carrier.