To get to a web site a web browser needs some instructions on where to look for it, so a user must enter a hostname. Usually this URL is a word such as a business name or a phrase describing what the site is concerned with, or perhaps a word or phrase that is the site name. When thinking about a domain name be aware of the big difference between buying from a specialist company that sells cheap domain names and free web hosting companies that often offer domain names. Whilst second level domains can be offered by domain name companies the domains offered by free web hosting companies are usually in the form of sub domains.

This means that when typing in the sub domain name the hosting company's domain must be included. This means that the domain name will be longer than usual and probably hard to remember. These reasons are why it can be best for a person to buy an original domain name. There are many cheap domain name companies so finding an affordable one is quite easy.

The price of a cheap domain name can be anything from completely free up to around seven dollars. If the free domain name that is offered is worth anything then the hosting company making this offer will usually only make it available as part of a web hosting bundle - so the 'free' domain name still has a price. The customer will not need to get a web hosting bundle with a paid for domain name. You can pay anything from one dollar up for a paid for domain name.

There is no difference in the registration process for a cheap domain name as for a regularly priced domain name. A customer needs to first check that the required domain name is vacant. The method of doing this is to enter the desired name into a particular text box and then choosing the extension required. The page will then tell them is the domain name is taken or not, if it is then they can purchase it, if not they will have to decide on a different name. Suggested alternatives will often be offered if the desired domain name is already in use.

What are the disadvantages of using cheap domain names? Unfortunately dishonest companies are the biggest one - a person may not receive their domain name at all if they use one of them. What often happens is that the company tells the customer that they have to wait, typically less than a week, for the domain to activate. Unfortunately after waiting a few days the domain is still not active, and it is no use emailing an unscrupulous company as they won't do anything.

A good first step to making sure that a person hasn't found a fraudulent company is to check with the better Business Bureau and find out if the cheap domain name company is registered. The Better Business Bureau makes sure that companies are operating legitimately. A second step to making sure that a business is not fraudulent is to make sure they the cheap domain name company has the usual land based address and phone number. Thirdly, visit some message boards that cater to webmasters and see if the company has a bad reputation there.

Conclusion

A good reason to stay clear is if you are unable to find someone who has dealt with the company you are considering. If you have found a legitimate and reputable cheap domain name company then there is no other shortcoming to using them as a supplier for your discounted domain name. All domain names work in the same way whatever was paid for them, so if a person can take advantage of a company offering cheap domain names then they should.