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

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

New Mobile Apps

We now have an iPhone and Android app! They’re free to download but do different things.

The iPhone allows for the creation of a phone sized photo album. of 12 prints while the Android app allows users to orders 6×4 and 7×5 prints for home delivery.

15% Off Everything

Even though we have lots of offers on lots of products we didn’t like to leave any holes. So, we have a 15% off everything code just to cover that off. This isn’t listed on the site and will be exclusive to you guys. This will now be a long running code with no end date.

JESPHOTO15 – 15% off everything

20% Off Photo Skins! Only at Snapfish.com!
Expires: Nov 30 2009.
Coupon code: PHOTOSKINS20
Click on the discount link below and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Have fun.

Discount Link: 20% Off Photo Skins!

If you are a new customer, you can get 50 free prints. Don’t forget to pick up your daily free gift too. This special gift promotion expires on January 31 2010.

Special Gift Promotion: Click here and get your FREE Gift of the Day