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By Stephen Pope
Everyone likes a bargain. It's even wise to keep one's costs
down. On the other hand, you can be so cheap that you cut your
own throat.
Here are two ways to register a domain name for free and some
reasons why you might not want to.
1. You Must Have Your Own Top Level Domain (TLD) Name
Your business website should definitely have its own top level
domain (TLD) name. This means a name like yourcompany.com. It
doesn't mean a subdomain of someone else's domain name, such
as
yourcompany.someisp.net.
Sometimes persons hesitate to register a proper domain name
because of cost, lack of knowledge, or indecision. However,
paying the nominal fee charged by the domain registrar for
your
own domain name can reap rich dividends.
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or Internet address like
(ignoring the http part) someisp.net/hosting-accounts/yourco/,
or yourcompany.someisp.net, just doesn't look as professional
as yourcompany.com. It might be free (as in included with your
web space) but it just doesn't cut it.
Consider: If you put your URL on your letterheads, business
cards, signs, et cetera, which Internet address looks more
professional?
If you mention your URL on your radio advertising or to a
customer over the phone, which one will be easier to remember?
As well, what if your web host goes out of business or you
decide that you want to change to another provider. Now, you
need to notify everyone that you have now changed to
yourcompany.someotherisp.net. You will also need to change all
your stationery, signs, and advertising to reflect the change.
On the other hand, the domain name yourcompany.com, could be
transferred from one web host to another simply by informing
your domain name registrar of the change.
So, to avoid losing business and incurring unnecessary
additional costs, be sure you have your own top level domain
name.
2. Should You Get a Free Top Level Domain?
It is possible to get a free top level domain from Dot TK
(@www.dot.tk). (You may also get paid dot tk (.tk) domains
from
them.) However, there can be disadvantages to using a free top
level domain name.
Here are some of the restrictions noted on the Dot TK website.
You may register no more than three free domain names.
The ownership of the free domain remains with Dot TK. This
means that you can't sell it. (Of course, if you pay for the
domain you do own it and can transfer it to a new owner.)
Also, if you don't have 25 visitors come to your home page
within a ninety day period, your free domain name registration
is cancelled.
You need to have existing web content somewhere so that your
dot tk name can be forwarded to it.
There may well be other disadvantages.
Apparently, Dot TK uses frames to show your website. This
being
the case, you may have issues with navigation (bookmarking or
finding specific pages) and search engine friendliness.
Therefore, for serious business use, consider carefully the
true cost of free domain names.
About The Author: J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope
Consulting
Inc., has been helping clients to earn maximum business
profits
for over twenty-five years. For more information about domain
names and other Work at Home Small Business Ideas, visit
www.yenommarketinginc.com/domain-names.html
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