When the Domain Name You Want Is Already Taken

"I want to use my company's name, plus dot-com, for my Web site. But that name is already taken. It will expire later this year. Is it possible for me to reserve it so nobody else can get it or renew it? I currently have my company name with a dot-biz domain, but would rather have the more memorable dot-com. —H.J., Cleveland

You're right to conclude that a dot-com extension is typically where customers will look for your company online. While you can use the dot-net or dot-biz extensions with your business name, they are not as memorable, says Michael Weiss, CEO of imagistic, a digital marketing and technology company in Westlake Village, Calif."