As you are probably already know, dot com, dot net, and dot org domain names (and some other domain known types) are generally sold on a first come, first served basis - that is to say that the first person to identify a previously unregistered domain name, can simply go a domain registrar, pay the registration fee, and get that domain for themselves. The domain is then no longer available for anybody else, unless the original owner chooses to sell it or transfer the domain to somebody else, or the domain owner stops paying the annual renewal fees. In the case of non-payment of renewal fees, the domain goes through a gradual multi-step expiration process, before becoming available to the public to register again.

There are a few exceptions to the above general rules. For example, in cases where a person has registered a domain name that infringes a trademark holder's rights (known as "cybersquatting"), the trademark holder may be able to get hold of the domain, but for the most part, the only way to obtain a previously register domain name is either to buy it from its current owner, or wait until the current owner fails to renew it, and then buy it once it becomes available to the public again.

However, even if you know a domain is going to expire (you can discover this either by watching the domain information for particular domain names of interest, or by watching lists of about-to-expire domain names), it may not be that easy to obtain it. The problem, is if an expiring domain name is any good, or if the expiring name has many incoming links leading to it (which a new owner will inherit), there can be a bunch of people waiting to register it as soon as it becomes available again - and only one of them will win this race.

There are basically three methods you can use to participate in this race:

1. You can manually watch the domain status, and try to manually register it when it becomes available again. Of course, your odds may not be very good with this method.

2. You can use a computer program, such as the "Expired Domain Express Software" to help you. Basically you set the software to automatically monitor the status of your chosen domain, and register it as quickly as possible after the domain becomes available.

3. You can use a back-order service. Basically you pay somebody else to monitor the domain, and register it for you as soon as it becomes available.

Most people try to obtain expiring domain names, use a back-ordering service (option 3 in the list above). The advantage is that the best such services can usually apply more and better resources (in terms of specialist software, network connection speed, etc.) than you might be able to apply yourself, and thus can help increase your chances of obtaining a desired domain name. However there are a couple of points you should be aware of, when using a domain back-ordering service:

* Back-ordering services generally can not guarantee that you will obtain your desired name. A good question to ask is what happens to any fees that you've already paid, in the event that they don't obtain your desired name? Fortunately, many back-ordering services will allow you to apply such fees to other purchases - but check with the service you use.

* Back-ordering services can sometimes use various means to inflate the price, even if they do obtain a desired domain name. For example, if two users both want the same expired domain name, the back-order service might set up an auction between them. So, make sure you read and understand the rules of any back-ordering service that you intend to use.

Finally it is worth mentioning probably the best way to obtain a truly desirable expiring domain name: combine multiple approaches to getting the name - for example, try to obtain it using multiple back-ordering services at the same time, as well as perhaps using software such as "Expired Domain Express Software". If you're prepared to spend the money, this approach may help you maximize your chances of obtained the expiring domain name of your heart's desire.