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Five Common Domain Registration Mistakes – Which One Do You Want to Avoid?

A domain name is the identity of your website and loosing the online identity can cause severe and costly damage.

However, do not make these mistakes when registering your domain name.

Click here to download the full report on how to avoid domain registration mistakes.

Mistake #1: Not Registering a Domain Yourself

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.

There are various ways to keep your domain name safe.

Mistake #3: Paying Too Much for a Domain

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.

What else should you know about domain registration? There are tons of strategies about domain registration that we want to share, but we would not be able to fit them all here. Download the reports and guides; and to subscribe to the newsletter below.

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:

10. No instructions in Chinese to fumble through. No assembly required.
9. It is easier to find a good domain name than an iPhone 5.
8. It’s surely hypoallergenic.
7. Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
6. No chance of receiver getting the same gift (domain) from somebody else.
5. Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
4. May increase in value over time like a good real estate.
3. The $6.95 domain can be passed down from generation to generation like a great story.
2. Does not take any space in the house.
1. 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:

Best Domain Registrar:

• Netfirms for the cheapest .COM domain registration
• Godaddy for cheap $1.99 .INFO domains

Best Domain Hosting:

• 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
• Name of pet: www.MollysDad.com

Who else wants some unusual gift ideas for the holidays?

Our favorite gift idea, if the Someone You Love does not already have one, is a domain name.

Surprise somebody! Pick up a gift now from a web domain registration service.

Here are the top ten reasons to give a domain name as a present:

10. It is easier to find a good domain name than an iPhone 5.
9. It’s hypoallergenic.
8. No assembly required. (No instructions in foreign languages to fumble through.)
7. Save a tie! Your dad will be ecstatic when he doesn’t see that rectangular box under the tree.
6. Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
5. Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
4. No matter how hard he tries, the Grinch can’t steal a domain name.
3. It can be passed down from generation to generation like a great story.
2. You won’t shoot your eye out with it!
1. 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:

Best Domain Registration:

• Namecheap
  
• Netfirms for the cheapest .COM domain registration
  
• Godaddy for cheap $1.99 .INFO domains
  

Best Domain Hosting:

• 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
• Name of pet: www.DorothysDad.com

Just in time for the holidays, Go Daddy Photo Album is available for just $1/mo with a 12-month plan — that’s 50% OFF the standard price. With Go Daddy Photo Album, you can give your photos a holiday scrapbook feel with over 100 gallery themes to choose from. Plus, you can create private galleries for family and friends so their personal photos aren’t exposed to the whole world. Best of all, since the photos are hosted at their own domain, there’s no need to set up an account or log in!

This offer is only valid from Friday to Monday (November 27-30, 2009) — so be sure to get your online Photo Album today!

Black Friday Special: Photo Album for 50% OFF!

Even if you missed this promotion, would you agree that their $1.69/month price is still very reasonable? Because with Go Daddy Photo Album, you can:

* Store and manage photos and images in one place.
* Improve your photos with easy-to-use photo editing features. And, if you aren’t happy with the edits you’ve made, you can restore your image to its original state
* Share your photos with anyone – without requiring them to provide an email address or log in.
* Keep sensitive photos or images private with password-protected galleries.
* Purchase high-quality prints and T-Shirts directly from the photo gallery – available to you and your visitors. Includes 10 FREE 4×6 prints!**
* Entertain your visitors with custom photo slideshows.
* RSS Feeds
* Choose from over 100 themes for your photo gallery – perfect whether you’re welcoming a new baby or adding photos from the big game.
* Post your photos to Quick Blogcast – fast – with “Blog This Photo.”
* Display your photos on other Web sites! Create a custom photo badge with your choice of layout, color and more and use the HTML code we provide you to show your photos on other Web sites.
* Create a multimedia slideshow of your favorite photos with the ‘Montage’ feature (see example). Arrange your photos, add fun transitions, and add music!

Get your online photo album now!