DomainSnoop (DomainChecker)

Domain Checker is a simple and user-friendly web tool designed to check the availability of domain names. It supports Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) through Punycode conversion and provides real-time feedback on domain status. With a sleek dark theme and responsive design, it's both visually appealing and easy to use.

Features

• Dark Theme: A sleek black background with high-contrast text for enhanced readability.
• Punycode Support: Automatically converts Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) to Punycode for accurate availability checks.
• DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Utilizes Cloudflare and Google DoH providers to perform reliable DNS queries.
• Caching Mechanism: Stores recent domain checks to reduce redundant network requests and improve performance.
• Responsive Design: Ensures optimal user experience across various devices and screen sizes.
• Real-Time Feedback: Displays loading indicators and results instantly for a smooth user experience.
• Premium Domain Awareness: Highlights the potential premium nature of short or highly sought-after domains (e.g., a.com, abc.com).

Technologies Used

• HTML5: Structure of the web page.
• CSS3: Styling and layout with a dark theme.
• JavaScript: Functionality for domain checking, Punycode conversion, and DNS queries.
• Punycode.js: Library for converting Unicode domain names to Punycode.
• Font Awesome: Icons for visual indicators (e.g., loading spinner, checkmark, cross).

Getting Started

Prerequisites

To use the Domain Checker, you don't need any additional software or installations. It's a fully client-side application built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Installation

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jmitander/domain-checker.git

2. Navigate to the Project Directory:

   cd domain-checker

3. Open the Application:

   • Simply open the index.html file in your preferred web browser.

   • Option 1: Double-click the index.html file.

   • Option 2: Right-click the file and select "Open with" followed by your browser.

   open index.html

   (Note: The open command works on macOS. For Windows, you can use start index.html.)

Usage

1. Enter a Domain Name:

   • In the input field, type the domain name you wish to check (e.g., example.com).

2. Check Availability:

   • Click the Search button.
   • The tool will display a loading spinner while checking the domain's availability.

3. View Results:

   • If the domain is Available, a green checkmark with the message "Available" will appear.
   • If the domain is Taken, a red cross with the message "Taken" will be displayed.
   • In case of errors or invalid inputs, appropriate messages will guide you.

4. Premium Domain Awareness:

   • The tool identifies if the available domain is a short or highly desirable name (e.g., a.com, abc.com).
   • Such domains may have higher registration costs or be considered premium.
   • While the tool doesn't provide pricing, it alerts users to potential premium domains, encouraging them to verify prices with domain registrars.

Handling Premium Domains

Some domains, especially short and memorable ones like a.com, abc.com, or single-letter domains, are considered premium. These domains often have higher registration fees or may already be owned by resellers. If you search for a premium domain and find it available:

1. Verify with Domain Registrars:

   • Visit reputable domain registrars (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains) to check the registration price.
   • Premium domains may have variable pricing based on demand and registrar policies.

2. Consider Similar Alternatives:

   • If the desired premium domain is beyond your budget, consider alternative names or extensions.
   • The tool can be used to check the availability of similar domains quickly.

3. Act Quickly:

   • Premium domains are highly sought after and may be registered by others rapidly.
   • If you find an available premium domain, proceed with registration promptly to secure it.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you'd like to enhance the Domain Checker, follow these steps:

1. Fork the Repository

2. Create a New Branch

   git checkout -b feature/YourFeatureName

3. Commit Your Changes

   git commit -m "Add Your Feature"

4. Push to the Branch

   git push origin feature/YourFeatureName

5. Open a Pull Request

   Describe your changes and submit the pull request for review.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Acknowledgments

• Punycode.js for providing reliable Punycode conversions.
• Font Awesome for the icons used in the application.
• Cloudflare DNS over HTTPS, Google DNS over HTTPS for DNS queries.