When creating a website the first thing to do is to get yourself a domain name. The domain name is how people will identify your site and often assist visitors in returning to your website. Think of it as your own little place (or should that be name) on the web. While most serious webmasters choose to purchase .com or .net domain names there are some alternatives that can be found that are completely free. In some cases you can get a free domain name as an incentive for a paid service such as paid hosting package.
Free domain names often come with conditions attached such as forced advertising, required backlink or a paid hosting account. The last point meaning that your domain name could be held to ransom when your hosting is up for renewal or if you want to switch hosting accounts. Absolutely free domain names are often unusual such as co.nr or .tk and may seem slightly more untrustworthy than the more common .com and .net domain names. However, if you are simply building a personal site, a little hobby site or a site you will only need for a short period then a free domain name will be perfectly sufficient.
Tips for choosing a domain name
- Try to pick a catchy name people will remember. Short domain names are good for this.
- If high search engine rankings are your goal try to match your domain name to your keywords.
- Try to avoid using too many “-”’s in your domain names.
- Avoid using a domain name that is already a trademark!
- Stick with .com or .net if possible – people trust these and they look more natural.
- Many of the best domain names are already taken so you may need to think slightly outside the square when choosing your domain name.
If you are considering using a free domain name or accepting one as part of a hosting package then always read the terms and conditions to ensure you don’t get caught out by hidden fees or conditions.