Cheap Web Domain Name Registration Better Than Free

Cheap web domain name registration is a great idea, but don't fall into the trap of getting the free domain registration offered by many hosts, and don't waste your time trying to find the cheapest domain name registrars.

In the past, if you were of "of no fixed abode" (had no home to go to) a policeman would ask you to be out of the village by sundown, because they didn't like tramps. An html name (or domain) is the modern equivalent. If you don't have one, you are despised as a tramp.

Why to Avoid Free Domain Names

Many hosts offer to register your domain name for free. Stop and think about it for a minute. What do they get out of it? Sure, it slightly increases the chance that you will choose them as hosts, but they have to pay real money to register your domain name, and a cheap host is cutting prices to a minimum.

The secret is that sooner or later your host will change the conditions of your contract to make more money. If you respond by moving to a different host, you will find that your old host owns your domain name. They will usually charge you about ten times the registration fee for one year, to sell it back to you.

Cheapest Register Domain Name

OK, you decide to see if you can register domain names for less than the eight or nine dollars that GoDaddy charges (Members can view video showing you how to register your domain name). After ten hours of searching you find a registrar who will charge you a dollar less. That means that you have earned yourself ten cents per hour of your time. I don't even bother picking up ten cents when I see it lying in the street.

GoDaddy is the registrar that is best known in Internet circles, and they have a name to live up to so they are very helpful. Just one warning! They will keep trying to sell you extras, and will tick boxes saying that you want to buy what they are offering, so make sure that you untick everything that you don't want!

I've been with GoDaddy for many years now, and have always been happy with their service. They even offer you a hosting service which I don't recommend, because other hosts are cheaper. Their support group is very helpful too.

What You Need in an Internet Domain Name

First of all you want to invent a name that includes your best keyword. Then you check if that is available. All the best names are already taken, so you keep trying until you find one that you like.

The easiest way to choose a domain name is with a free service offered at
http://smarthomebiz.com/go/searchit.php In step 1 choose domain names from the drop down list. In step 2 choose to generate both suggestions and availability. In step 3 put in your best keyword.

The same company that offers that free tool also offers cheap web domain name registration and hosting included as just one part of their package. They are great for beginners, and when I eventually left them they didn't try to hang on to my domain name. Click here for more details.