Check and Register Available URLs for Free with the Domain Check

The most important requirement for your own online presence is an available URL. The Hosttest Domain Check allows you to check hundreds of international domain extensions for free within seconds, helping you find available URLs for your web presence and register them at affordable rates.

What Is a URL?

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used to access information on the internet or local networks. It is often synonymous with a domain name. Whether users are checking the availability of an available domain or an available URL, the process serves the same purpose: finding a suitable internet address for their web presence. The Hosttest Domain Check is a convenient tool that retrieves the desired information from the internet in less than a second.

What Is the Difference Between a Domain and a URL?

For most people, there is no clear distinction between a URL and a domain, and the terms are often used interchangeably. A domain is an internet address composed of a name and a Top-Level Domain (TLD) in the format Name.TLD. A URL, on the other hand, is a complete network address that may also include the protocol, call information, or, in some cases, a username and password. Examples of URLs include:

• https://Name.TLD/Page
• https://Name.TLD/index.html?p5=A&p2=B#resource
• ftp://user:password@Name.TLD

When using a domain check, this distinction is irrelevant because the process focuses solely on checking the availability of a domain, with protocols and other details excluded.

How to Check a URL Using the Domain Check

The Domain Check determines whether your desired internet address is already taken or still available for registration. It systematically searches various databases for entries matching the specified URL. While some older TLDs like .com, .net, or .org are managed by independent institutions, most are overseen by organizations such as DENIC, the non-profit organization responsible for Germany’s .de domain. The Domain Check combines the desired name with multiple TLDs, connects to their respective databases, and compares pricing across providers to identify the most affordable option. The URL check is straightforward: simply enter your desired name into the search field. The results are displayed clearly and typically include:

• Combination of the name with different TLDs
• Availability of the domain for each extension
• Costs from one or more service providers
• Suggestions for alternatives to the desired domain (e.g., Name24 or Name-online)

For maximum reach, it’s advisable to choose a URL with multiple available TLDs and register several domains simultaneously. This protects your desired name from being used by competitors and ensures visitors reach your web presence, whether they enter domainname.de or domainname.com in their browser.

How Much Does It Cost to Register an Available URL?

Once users check and confirm an available URL, they can register it and renew it periodically, typically annually. The cost of a domain depends primarily on the chosen TLD. Newly introduced domains like .berlin or .shop, known as Sponsored Domains (sTLDs), are managed by non-profit organizations, consortia, or commercial providers. Pricing is determined by the organization responsible for maintaining the sTLD’s infrastructure, leading to significant price differences—ranging from a few euros per month to several thousand euros per year. Classic domain extensions like .com or .net are generally more affordable than exotic ones like .io or .me, often used for modern web projects.

When users check and reserve a URL via the Domain Check, the offer usually doesn’t include hosting. Additional services like managed hosting or web space must be booked separately. After registering a domain, the ongoing cost of a .de URL can be as low as a few euros per month. However, costs can rise depending on the hosting package, software, and use of multiple TLDs. Expenses can be minimized by comparing TLD options using the Domain Check and conducting a web hosting comparison.

Many web hosting providers offer special packages that combine domain names with web space at discounted rates. For beginners without an existing web hosting package, this is often the most cost-effective way to secure an available URL and establish their web presence.