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You know how a business owner hires someone to create a website for their company and then after a few years, the person (or company) who created the website disappears for whatever reason? The person or company may have moved out of the area; the person might get another job; or they may be out of business.
Then unknowingly, the web domain registration expires and is automatically, electronically gobbled up by opportunistic domain squatters. These domain squatters then register the expired domain in hopes that the original owner will be highly motivated to purchase the domain name at a much higher asking price. Usually, squatters might ask for $200 to $2000. Sometimes, it could even be much more.
So what should you do instead if you have not registered the domain yet? Just go to one of the best domain registration services below and register the domain yourself.
Namecheap – one of the cheapest with free domain privacy for first year.
Godaddy – the most popular and trusted domain registrar.
Did someone else register your domain name for you? A webdesigner or web host perhaps has done it for you. That’s fine, but you’ll want to check a few things. Find out what you should do next.
Mistake #2: Forgot to Renew Domain Name on Time
You are working real hard to beat your online competitors, search the entire internet for your targeted audience, calling all your suppliers bargaining for the lowest cost price so that you can have a much competitive pricing, but be sure you have not missed your domain renewal notice, you should always renew your domain on time to avoid loosing your business.
You only should pay extra for a premium domain name, i.e the domain has been registered by somebody else so they can sell at higher price. A domain name is a domain name. You pay to reserve the name on yearly basis. By paying $35/year instead of $12/year does not give you:
a top placement in Google's search result. You still need to work on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
a website. You still need a website built!
a hosting space. A reliable hosting like Hostgator is recommended and should cost only around $10/month. The Hostgator coupon codes 2012 could save you more for your first invoice.
visitors to your website. You still need to do some marketing and promotion to get visitors.
Mistake #4: Not Aware of Registration Scams
Registering your domain name is usually safe, but as with anything, there are some folks who may try to scam you. Here are two things to watch out for:
You might receive offers (email or snail mail) from other registrars who may lead you to believe that you need to renew your domain name with them. While you can do that (you can transfer registrars at any time), these offers usually are at high prices. Don't fall for it. Know who your registar is. If the notice isn't from your registrar, pitch it in the trash.
"Lock" your domain name. Registrars offer a feature called "domain locking" at no extra cost. It prevents your domain name from being transferred to another registrar unless you authorize the transfer by first "unlocking" the domain. It's a good safeguard, and you can do it online in just a couple steps.
#SOPAsucks
As you may have heard, last month Namecheap took a big stand against SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act proposed in the US. Namecheap leads “Move Your Domain Day” with a special $6.99 transfer and an additional $2 donation to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
Use these amazing Namecheap coupon codes to save more:
Use coupon code HNY12 for discounted registrations and transfers for com/net/org/biz domains.
buy or transfer a .CO domain at Namecheap this month with the same code and enjoy an $11.88 registration price or $21.49 transfer price
limited to 30 domains per account
Use coupon code NEWYEARVPS to get get 10% off a new VPS
Use coupon code 2012ROX for 10% off shared/reseller/business hosting
p.s: We usually do not recommend you to register your domain and get your hosting at the same company. A company will have less control over your website if you do not let them host both your domain and website. If you need a cheap hosting account, try the Hostgator coupon 2012: FTPHOSTING, that lets you try the 4500 website templates and web hosting for only $0.01 for the first month.
Who else wants creative last-minute gift ideas for that special someone?
It is an idea that is a little on the techie side, but is a lot more personal than a camera or cellphone – start with a web domain name. You can can explore endless possibilities based on an initial idea of a personalised domain name, from a pretty website, awesome photo blog, eye-catching online photo album to a custom photography portfolio and online store. It can be a great gift by itself or can be combined with a hosted-Wordpress photo blog to become the greatest surprise gift.
Here are some reasons why it is a good idea:
No instructions in Chinese to fumble through. No assembly required.
It is easier to find a good domain name than an iPhone 5.
It’s surely hypoallergenic.
Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
No chance of receiver getting the same gift (domain) from somebody else.
Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
May increase in value over time like a good real estate.
The $6.95 domain can be passed down from generation to generation like a great story.
Does not take any space in the house.
You can buy it at 11:59 p.m. before that special day and still have it in time.
Owning a domain only gives you the rights to the name, e.g., johnandmary.com. It is like a declaration that the name is yours. You can go to any of the web domain registration companies such as Godaddy or Namecheap to purchase a domain name.
More Gifts Ideas
But in case you essentially wish to use the domain name for a website, email, and so on, you have to have the domain hosted. Owning one with no hosting it is actually referred to as “parking” the domain. Less than $10 a month gets you hosting for that domain. We have been using Hostgator for more than 8 years and it has been the best one out of 30+ hosting companies that we have tried. So bottom line, $120 (or less) buys a hosted domain for a year.
Now once you have a domain hosted, you can create a beautiful website based on the templates given at the hosting company. You can also get an online photo album for the domain. You can even help that special someone to start an online business. But you need to get the right hosting service. See the next section about how to choose a good host.
A domain is so “cyber” that you may want something solid to go along with it. And also the apparent option could possibly be a set of beautiful business cards with the new domain particulars on them. VistaPrint will print 250 business cards in color for 20 bucks (or totally free for new clients, with a nominal $10 shipping-handling charge).
Best Places to Buy
There are about 70 gazillion web sites that let you register domain names, and a further 30 gazillion that will host that name for you. And there is certainly plenty of overlap. There are also plenty of sites that will help you find a hosting company; check out Web Hosting Comparison and best hosting services.
If you do not have the time to research for the best domain registration company or web hosting, then here is our recommendations:
Hostgator for most comprehensive DIY hosting including Sitebuilders with 4000+ unique templates, one-click-installer for lots of web applications, shopping cart, forum, and much more. You can easily install the photo gallery application such as 4images, Coppermine, and Piwigo or choose a more popular platform such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal to create an online photo gallery. Click here to try for a penny.
Weebly for simple website builder with beautiful templates. Nothing fancy but straightforward easy-to-use website creation tool. Click here to try for free.
The longer you wait, the higher the chances you will lose the name you want. Go to Godaddy, Netfirms or Namecheap to purchase a domain name now.
Domain Name Suggestions
What do you do if the name you want is taken? Be creative. Change the word order. Use .net, .org, .name, & others. Try synonyms. Here are more ideas:
Use names: www.PamsPlace.com or www.CarlysCreek.com
Small business owner name: www.PeterPawnShop.com or www.SallysStudio.com
Use nicknames: www.RockRhumney.com or www.AwesomeAthur.com
Incorporate job: www.LouiseaLawyer.com or www.DrDawsonCowell.com
Incorporate a persons interests: www.GolferGeorge.com
Incorporate a quirks: www.ScreaminSamantha.com
Make a statement: www.ILoveLucy.com or www.BewareOfChristian.com
Here are the top ten reasons to give a domain name as a present:
It is easier to find a good domain name than an iPhone 5.
It’s hypoallergenic.
No assembly required. (No instructions in foreign languages to fumble through.)
Save a tie! Your dad will be ecstatic when he doesn’t see that rectangular box under the tree.
Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
No matter how hard he tries, the Grinch can’t steal a domain name.
It can be passed down from generation to generation like a great story.
You won’t shoot your eye out with it!
You can buy it at 11:59 p.m. before that special day and still have it in time.
Owning a domain only gives you the rights to the name, e.g., johnandmary.com. It is like a declaration that the name is yours. You can go to any of the web domain registration companies such as Godaddy or Namecheap to purchase a domain name.
Making the Domain More Personal and Useful
But in case you basically choose to use the domain name for a website, e-mail, and so on, you will want to have the domain hosted. Owning 1 without having hosting it really is known as “parking” the domain. Less than $10 a month gets you hosting for that domain. We have been using Hostgator for more than 8 years and it has been the best one out of 30+ hosting companies that we have tried. So bottom line, $120 (or less) buys a hosted domain for a year.
A domain is so intangible that you may want something solid to go along with it. As well as the apparent option might be a set of spanking business cards with the new domain details on them. VistaPrint will print 250 business cards in color for 20 bucks (or absolutely free for new customers, with a under $10 shipping-handling fee).
Best Places to Buy
You can find about 92 gazillion websites that let you register domain names, and an additional 92 gazillion that can host that name for you. And there is certainly a lot of overlap. There are also plenty of sites that will help you find a hosting company; check out Cheap Web Hosts and best hosting services.
If you do not have the time to research for the best domain registration company or web hosting, then here is our recommendations:
Hostgator for most comprehensive DIY hosting including Sitebuilders with 4000+ unique templates, one-click-installer for lots of web applications, shopping cart, forum, and much more. Click here to try for a penny.
Weebly for simple website builder with beautiful templates. Nothing fancy but straightforward easy-to-use website creation tool. Click here to try for free.
Domain Name Ideas
What do you do if the name you want is taken? Be creative. Change the word order. Use .net, .org, .name, & others. Try synonyms. Here are more ideas:
Use names: www.PetersPlace.com or www.DawsonsCreek.com
Small business owner name: www.JohnPlumbing.com
Use nicknames: www.RockRobbert.com or www.ChefCornwall.com
Incorporate a persons interests: www.GolferAndrew.com
Incorporate a quirks: www.SreaminJessy.com
Incorporate job: www.JillsALawyer.com or www.DrWilliamStevens.com
Make a statement: www.ILoveLucy.com or www.BewareOfObama.com
Even if you own an online business or a blog, there are many good reasons why you want to officially form a company or incorporate your business.
1. Credibility. Some corporations will take you more seriously when you are “Marcus Wedding Planner, LLC” than when you are “Arthur, the blogger.”
2. Health Insurance. For most insurance companies, individual rates are more expensive than corporate rates.
3. Protection of Your Assets. People who form companies have protection over their personal assets, i.e they are not personally liable. If you were to breach a contract, you could be sued for your assets. If you had a company, the company would be sued but your personal assets may go untouched.
4. It Looks Awesome. Having your own company kind of announces to the world that you’ve arrived. It says that you’re serious, that writing is not your hobby, but your career. You are your business. And it looks good on a business card
How You Can Incorporate Business at an Affordable Cost
Incorporate your business now, form an LLC, or file a DBA. No need to worry because Corpnet can prepare everything for you.
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You know how many new website owners ended up paying top dollars for their website for nothing because nobody visits their site? Promoting your website address online through even the best ppc program and email marketing is costly and time consuming.
Here are what top business owners do when they have a new website – they use traditional marketing intelligently! You can reach your target market through the following offline methods. Print your website address on:
Corporate Literature – business cards, letterhead, envelopes, faxes and invoices
Marketing Materials – your website is often the first place potential customers look for more information
Promotional Items/Giveaways – people love to receive gifts
So would you agree that it is time to print and start marketing offline? Why not save some money while you are at it.
UPrinting.com serves thousands of on-demand business printing and graphic printing orders online daily, using high-quality press printing and a robust yet simple and easy-to-use online ordering system, resulting in high-end printing services and reliable color printing at discount printing costs.
They offer:
customizable offset printing, digital printing and large format printing options
Free File Review
convenient marketing support such as print design services, custom online printing quotes and direct mailing
Here is a marketing secret rarely told by successful online entrepreneur – you should print your website address on all your business cards and give away as many as you can!
Now here is a good place to start – 500 premium business cards for ONLY $9.95$22.95 from PrintRunner.
Snapfish is HP’s global digital photo printing service with over 90 million customers in 22 countries world-wide.
They can offer you quality prints of your digital photos and a wide range of personalised photo gifts. Additional prints are just 5p each with our pre-pay option (or 9p as standard) and you can turn your photos into stunning photo gifts from calendars and canvas prints to posters and photo books within minutes!
You can now claim your free printing credits by following these three simple steps:
We strive to give unbiased and independent reviews or comparisons based on price, company reputation, previous customers satisfaction and our own experiences of using certain products or services. While every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information provided on this site is accurate, no guarantees for the currency or accuracy of information are made.
We may receive compensation from purchases made via links on this site. Some links do not have any affiliation or compensation whatsoever, but are included for their merit to readers.
It can be a great gift by itself or can be combined with a hosted-Wordpress photo blog to become the greatest surprise gift. 
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