WHMCS | Availability search
Search Providers
The way domain availability searches are performed in WHMCS is defined in Configuration () > Setup > Domain Pricing.
Three methods are available:
- WHMCS NameSpinning
Searches are performed by WHMCS, which also returns relevant domain name suggestions across a wide range of TLDs. It falls back to the standard WHOIS method if a TLD is not supported.
- Standard Whois
Searches are performed using WHOIS servers directly. This is the default method used by WHMCS installations. The search is fast but unreliable because:
- A domain in redemption or quarantine status may no longer be listed in WHOIS, even though the domain is still unavailable.
- Reserved/blocked domains by the registry are often not published in WHOIS.
- Some countries do not provide WHOIS services or respond very slowly.
- Some countries have quota restrictions (number of requests per minute, hour, or day) or IP restrictions.
- Syntax is often not handled by WHOIS servers.
- Domain registrars
Searches are performed by a registrar module that implements its own rules.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and unfortunately, only one method can be defined at a time for the application.
