How can one reserve a number of domain names cheaply and easily?

I realize that there are "internet squatters" out there that grab
names and try to sell each to people at extortionate prices--and that
is *not* my goal here.

However, I would like to reserve a good number of names for each of my
clients for whom I commissioning websites.  I don't want to sell the
client on doing a website, sell him or her on a domain name, and then
suffer the embarrassment of having to tell him that the name isn't
actually available.  I'd like to register the names first, before I go
to the client.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

Hello sonnny,

Thank you for your question.


What you are looking to do is called parking. Look at the following
for a description of the process:

http://www.webcom.com/help/dns/parking.shtml

"...Domain Name Parking  


Introduction 

Parked domain names are domains names that are registered with the
InterNIC (and therefore reserved), but are not active for website or
ecommerce service. Parking domain names is useful if you have a domain
name that you would like to reserve, but do not intend to use
immediately. One of the advantages of parking domain names is that
your domain is available when you are ready to use it. If you have a
domain that you do not intend to use for a period of time, you may
want to park it and save on monthly fees.


Domain Parking with BudgetSite, BusinessSite, or WebCommerce Service Plans 

Reserving a New Domain Name 

To reserve a new domain name, all you need to do is use the Register
or Reserve New Domain Name form on the Domain Name Services menu, and
check the "Park this Domain Name" option at the bottom of the form.
Your domain name will be registered with the InterNIC (all InterNIC
fees still apply), and parked at WebCom. Likewise, if you have a
domain name at another provider that you would like to park at WebCom,
simply use the Move Domain Name option from the Domain Name Services
menu, and check the Domain Name Parking checkbox. Once your domain is
registered or moved to WebCom, you can unpark it, update its
registration information with the InterNIC, but you cannot configure
it in any other way.

Parking and Unparking an Existing Domain Name 

If you have a parked domain name that you would like to activate, or
an active domain name that you would like to set to be parked, select
"Park/Unpark a domain " from the Domain Name Services menu. This form
is very simple. Just check the boxes next to the domain that you want
parked, and uncheck the boxes next to the domains that you do not want
parked..."

Now, numerous web hosts and registrars offer this service. They differ
by price and by their level of customer support, though it is really
the same "product".

I have had great service from www.000domains and from Go Daddy,
www.godaddy.com. But you literally have thousands of choices!

000domains is $13.50 per year:
http://www.000domains.com/

Go Daddy is $8.95
http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp

And for a real budget registrar (though I have no persoanl experience
with them) I-Power offers for $2.95!
http://www.ipower.com/

and here:

https://secure.ipower.com/cgi-bin/hosting/domain.cgi

 

Search Strategy:

parking domain names

You can run this search on Google for numerous hits and alternatives


I trust my research has provided you with the answer desired. If a
link above should fail to work or anything require further explanation
or research, please do post a Request for Clarification prior to
rating the answer and closing the question and I will be pleased to
assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

Thank you.  Good answer.

Many people have reserved lots and lots of domains.

The best example can be seen on domain name forums where people
usually buy and sell domains http://www.nameslot.com,
http://www.namepros.com and http://www.dnforum.com are the best
examples of it.