The most soul-crushing part of starting a new project isn't the business plan or the first line of code. It's finding a domain name that isn't terrible.
You have that million-dollar idea, that perfect name that pops into your head at 3 AM. It’s catchy, it's short, it’s brilliant. You rush to your computer, heart pounding, and type it into a registrar search bar… only to be met with the digital equivalent of a sad trombone: “myperfectidea.com is taken.” Of course it is. It's probably been parked by some squatter since 1998, patiently waiting for you to come along and offer them your firstborn child for it.
I've been in that loop. You start adding hyphens. You misspell it intentionally. You try adding words like 'get', 'try', 'app' to the front. Each search is a slow, manual, painful process. It's a creativity killer. Well, I recently stumbled across a tool on Product Hunt called Techy Domains, and I gotta say, it feels like someone finally understood our pain.
So, What Exactly is Techy Domains?
Put simply, Techy Domains is a smart domain search engine built for the modern startup founder, indie hacker, or anyone launching something new. Instead of you manually checking every possible variation of your brand name, it does the heavy lifting for you. With one single search, it checks over 18 popular domain formats used by successful tech companies.
Think about it. Instead of searching for `shinyapp.com`, then `getshinyapp.com`, then `shinyapp.io`, then `shinyapp.ai`... you just type in "shinyapp" once, and it checks them all simultaneously. It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas that just makes so much sense.
The Familiar Agony of a Manual Domain Search
I can't be the only one who has a graveyard of notepad files filled with rejected domain names. The process is a rollercoaster of emotion. There's the initial spark of hope, the frantic typing, the crushing disappointment, and then the sad, desperate brainstorming for alternatives.
The biggest issue is that the `.com` TLD (Top-Level Domain) is just so saturated. It’s the Times Square of the internet; every prime spot was taken decades ago. For a new SaaS or tech product, finding a clean, memorable `.com` is like finding a unicorn. This has forced us to get creative, which is where the new wave of domain formats comes in.
How Techy Domains Turns a Chore into a Click
This is where the tool really shines. It’s not just a faster search bar; it’s a smarter one. It understands the patterns and trends that real startups are using right now.
The Magic of Multi-Format Search
When you type your idea into Techy Domains, it doesn't just check the name. It automatically checks a whole suite of variations. This includes:
- Classic TLDs: `.com`, `.co`, `.net`
- Tech-Friendly TLDs: `.io`, `.ai`, `.app`, `.so`, `.dev`
- Prefixes: `getyourname.com`, `tryyourname.com`
- Suffixes: `yournamehq.com`, `yournameos.com`
This immediate feedback across all relevant formats is a massive time-saver. You instantly see what's available and what’s not, letting you move on from dead-end ideas in seconds rather than minutes.
Need a Name? Let the AI Handle Brainstorming
Okay, this feature got me pretty excited. What if you don't even have a name yet? You just have an idea. Techy Domains has an AI brand name generator built right in. You can feed it a description of your project, and it will spit out a list of potential brand names. This is perfect for shaking up your own creative process when you're feeling stuck.
It’s like having a marketing intern who works for free (at first) and never needs a coffee break. The suggestions can range from surprisingly good to… well, creatively abstract. But that’s the point of brainstorming! Even a weird suggestion can spark the perfect idea.
Visit Techy Domains
Spotting Trends Before They're Mainstream
One of the coolest, and maybe most underrated, features is the “Browse all trends” page. It’s not just a search tool; it's an educational resource. It breaks down different domain formats and shows you which successful companies are using them.
For example, it highlights how `.io` became the go-to for tech startups (think Supabase, Stripe), resonating with the 'input/output' concept. It shows how `.ai` is now the obvious choice for anything in the artificial intelligence space. Seeing these real-world examples gives you the confidence to move beyond a `.com`-or-bust mentality. For years, SEOs debated whether non-.com TLDs could rank. Let me tell you, that debate is over. Google has stated that generic TLDs don't affect SEO, and seeing major players adopt these formats proves it in practice.
A Quick Look at the Pricing
This is often the make-or-break question, right? I was pleasantly surprised here. Techy Domains operates on a very fair model.
You can get started with a completely free account. This isn't some crippled trial version either. You get unlimited domain searches and the ability to save your favorites. They even give you 10 AI credits to play with the brand name generator. For most people just starting their search, this is more than enough.
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account | $0 | Unlimited domain searches, unlimited saving, 10 AI credits |
| Additional AI Credits | $9.99 (one-time) | 50 more AI credits, access to the advanced GPT-4 model, ability to save all generated responses |
I love this. It's not another monthly subscription to add to the pile. If you find yourself needing more brainstorming power, you can make a one-time purchase for more credits. It feels respectful of the user, especially the bootstrapped founders it's targeting.
The Good, The Bad, and The Brutally Honest
No tool is perfect, so let’s get down to it. After playing around with it for a while, here’s my honest take.
What I love:
The core value proposition is just fantastic. It saves an incredible amount of time and mental energy. The AI name generator is a brilliant addition for getting past creative blocks, and the trend insights page is a genuinely useful touch. The free tier is also incredibly generous.
What could be better:
Obviously, the 10 AI credits on the free plan will run out pretty fast if you're heavily reliant on it. That’s the business model, so it's not a complaint, just a fact. The advanced GPT-4 model is also behind the paywall, which makes sense. I did notice a tiny visual quirk where some of the website screenshots load with a 'skeleton' effect for a second. It's a minor thing, a nitpick really, and doesn't affect the functionality one bit, but it's there.
So, Who is This Tool For?
Honestly, if you're building anything new on the internet, you should at least give the free version a try. It’s particularly perfect for:
- SaaS Founders: Quickly find a professional-sounding name with a modern TLD like `.io` or `.app`.
- Indie Hackers: Launch your next side project faster without getting bogged down in the domain search.
- App Developers: Snag that perfect `.app` or `.dev` domain.
- Agencies and Freelancers: A great tool to have in your back pocket when helping clients brainstorm brand identities.
My Final Verdict: Your Next Domain is a Click Away
Techy Domains is a fantastic utility. It takes a frustrating, fragmented process and makes it simple, fast, and even a little bit fun. It's a tool that understands its audience and solves a very real, very annoying problem with an elegant solution. It won't build your business for you, but it might just help you find its front door. And for the price of free to get started, you really can’t argue with that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Techy Domains really free to use?
Yes, the core features are completely free. You get unlimited domain searches and 10 AI credits for brand name generation without paying a cent. You only pay if you want to buy more AI credits for heavy use.
How does the AI brand name generation work?
You provide a prompt or a description of your business or idea, and the AI (powered by models like GPT) generates a list of creative and relevant brand names for you to consider. It's a powerful brainstorming tool.
Do I have to buy my domain through Techy Domains?
No. Techy Domains is a search and discovery tool, not a registrar. Once you find a name you like, you can click on it and purchase it through a popular registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. The tool simply helps you find what's available.
What are some of the domain formats it checks?
It checks a wide variety, including standard TLDs like `.com` and `.co`, tech-focused ones like `.io`, `.ai`, `.app`, and `.dev`, and prefixed versions like `getyourname.com`.
Is using a TLD like .io or .ai bad for my website's SEO?
This is a common fear, but the short answer is no. Google has confirmed that its algorithms treat all generic TLDs (gTLDs) like `.com`, `.app`, `.io`, etc., equally. What matters most is the quality of your content and your overall site authority, not the letters after the dot.
