WHOIS Domain Lookup

Learn about the ownership & history of any domain.

What is the WHOIS database?

The WHOlS database is a searchable list of every single domain currently registered in the world. When someone searches for a web address on WHOIS, they’ll find the owner’s contact info, the dates of domain creation and expiration, and the names of the domain’s registrar and hosting services.

The information found in WHOlS can help people contact owners of a website, or keep tabs on a coveted domain that’s set to expire. Accredited registrars, like MODA Technologies.com, are required by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to publish WHOIS data for every newly-registered domain.

How MODA Technologies safeguards your privacy

While “domainers” (people who play the domain aftermarket) often keep their contact details visible to facilitate faster sales, most website owners prefer to keep their personal data out of the public eye. That’s where MODA comes in. As your domain mediator—we’ll provide the public with our info instead of yours and forward along all valid messages. Here’s how we make that happen:

Our WHOIS Privacy is free & automatic

That’s how much we value your right to privacy online. When you register a domain with MODA Technologies, you’re opted into WHOIS Domain Privacy by default. This means your name, phone number, email, and physical address won’t be added to the public WHOIS records. If you prefer to make this information public, it’s easy to turn off WHOIS privacy from within your client dashboard.

We stand guard against fraudsters

Scammers often misuse public records like WHOIS, exploiting any identifying information they can find. We keep your personal phone number, email, and home address out of the wrong hands. With MODA Technologies’s WHOIS protection, you’ll be avoiding the spam, scams, and phishing attempts that overwhelm many domain owners’ inboxes.

We bring in the best

We partner with Anonymize.com to bring you secure WHOIS Privacy, guaranteed. Instead of allowing your private information to be displayed online for all to see, Anonymize securely hides your contact data, while following all ICANN privacy protocols. You retain full ownership of your domain, without advertising your personal information to the world.

We’ve got business owners covered too!

Starting a business? You can trust MODA Technologies to protect your privacy every step of the way. Along with free WHOIS Privacy, a dedicated phone number, and a professional email address, we can now provide you with top-tier registered agent services—and help you keep your name and address off your state’s public records—thanks to our partnership with Registered Agents, Inc..

The domain I want is registered-now what?

Find out who owns the domain

Use our WHOIS Lookup tool at the top of this page to find out who owns the domain you’re after. Just type in the domain name, and we’ll provide you with either the registrant (owner) details, or the name and contact information of their registrar, who can pass your message along.

Visit the site to see if it’s for sale

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the URL itself. If the owner wants to sell the domain name, they might have a landing page with information about how to contact them and the price they’re asking. If not, you’ll probably find a “Contact” or “About” page with a contact form, email address, or another way to reach the owner directly.

Contact the domain owner

Once you have a sure-fire way to contact the owner (or their registrar), craft a message that includes an offer for the domain. In cases like this, prices for domain names can range from a few dollars to thousands, so consider beforehand what your budget is. Then, the ball is in their court—they’ll either accept, counter or reject your offer.

Keep an eye on the expiration date

If the owner doesn’t reply, or if they counter with something outside of your budget, you can always wait them out. The information returned from your WHOIS search will let you know when the domain is set to expire (if the registrant doesn’t renew it). That will put the name back into circulation, which means you’ll be able to register it yourself. Be ready to act quickly.

Adjust your domain name

If you’re willing to try out a different domain name, there are ways to make small changes that can still highlight your vision. Try a different top-level domain (or TLD), like .com and .io, because many TLDs are far less populated than the big ones (.com, .net, .org). You can also make small changes to your domain by adding or removing words, until you land on something that’s available.

Don’t lose hope if your first-choice domain name is already registered to someone. If you’re in it for the long haul, some patience and saved funds could make your dream happen. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to find a domain that will work for you right now to help you get online. Because the best way to get ahead is to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a domain name?

Finding a domain name that fits your brand is the key to your entire online presence. Here are some tips to keep in mind while you hunt for the perfect domain:

Your URL should be catchy, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Keep it short and simple, without any special characters or hyphens.
Explore your top-level domain (TLD) options. The .com extension still reigns supreme for its credibility and memorability, but many shorter .com domains are already spoken for. Don’t overlook other reliable extensions like .net and .org—or industry-specific TLDs such as .io or .tech.
Plan for the future by choosing a name that can grow with your business over time.

What comes with an MODA Technologies domain?

Every MODA Technologies domain includes:

An SSL certificate
A customizable parking page
Optional WHOIS privacy to keep your contact info private
No surprises pricing – your domain will renew at the same price as registration, with no unexpected price hikes.

Should I secure my domain and business name at the same time?

We recommend it—especially if you want your business and domain name to match or be closely aligned. If you have a great name in mind for your business (and the domain is available), it’s best to strike while the iron’s hot.

There are a few ways to secure your business name. If you’re a sole proprietor, you can file DBA (doing business as) paperwork in your state, allowing you to legally operate under your desired company name.

If you just want to reserve your business name until you’re ready to launch, filing a name reservation form will buy you some time—usually up to 90 days.

Or, if you’re ready to form an LLC or corporation, you can lock down your business name by using it on your formation paperwork.

Securing your domain name is easy—use our domain name search at the top of this page to get started. If your first choice is taken, try out variations of your business name, including location words like “nyc” or short verbs like “get” until you find a domain that works. Register your domain with MODA Technologies—and be sure to add web hosting at checkout so you can get online fast.

Tip: When you hire MODA Technologies to start your LLC or corporation, we help you secure your business name and domain name at the same time. Just add a free trial of our Business Launchkit to your cart when you sign up for formation or registered agent service—and get a free domain for a year, plus professional email, web hosting, a business phone line, and more.

How do I start a business from scratch?

Starting a business from scratch might seem intimidating—but it’s actually pretty simple. Just start selling something—anything—and you have a business. But there are a few more steps you’ll want to take to really set yourself up for success. Our How to Start a Business Guide will walk you through all the details. And reach out to our team along the way—we’re always happy to help.

What kind of web hosting do I need for my small business?

Most beginners and small businesses just starting out find that shared web hosting fits the bill. It offers enough bandwidth, storage, and memory for a small-to-medium website—and won’t break the bank. As your business grows, you might need more resources. That’s when many business owners upgrade to VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, which gives you dedicated server space on a shared server. For maximum control and power, we recommend dedicated hosting, which is better for high-traffic websites and businesses needing an enterprise-level solution.

Need help launching your website? Sign up for MODA Technologies’s Registered Agent (RA), LLC, or Incorporation service to get started, and you’ll receive a free trial of our Business Launchkit. This includes shared WordPress hosting, easy-to-use templates, and 24/7 support. We get you online fast—with real human support whenever you need it.

Why do I need a business phone number and email address?

We understand that when you’re starting a business, making sales is the top priority—and we agree.

But even in the early days, the way your business presents itself is also crucial. Using a business phone number and email address for your new venture not only keeps your work and personal lives separate (and helps you protect your privacy), it also tells your customers that they’re dealing with a professional.

With our Business Launchkit—part of our business formation and registered agent service at MODA Technologies—you get everything you need to launch your business, including a domain name, web hosting, business phone number, email address, and more. It’s free for the first 90 days and just $9 per month for each service after that. It’s the fastest (and simplest) way to get lines of communication for your business up and running.

The best part? There are no commitments or contracts. You can cancel anytime, or just keep the parts you need.