Registering one's first dot com feels so good. You never forget your first dot com. If you have never registered a dot com for yourself, then it may seem difficult or scary, but only the first time. It has gotten so easy and affordable in the last few years to register domain names. When I go looking for a company to register my dot coms with, I look for several features: I want to be able to do all the management from a user area. I do not want to have to get in touch with "support" to have anything set up for me. Even if you know nothing about anything, it is always better to have the control in your hands. You can always get support to help you anywhere, but it sure is nice to be somewhere you can grow into, and start doing all the management yourself as you learn how. (I set up my own DNS, MX, third level domains, URL forwarding or Name Servers, and email forwarding all by myself, and someday you will too).

The other thing I look for when registering a dot com is URL FORWARDING. This is one of my little tricks: I register a dot com for let's say $35 a year. I can afford $35 a year. Web hosts want to sell you web hosting from anywhere around $100 to thousands a year. DON'T DO IT! If you are here at Free Web Secrets, then you must want to save a buck, so do not buy web hosting at first. Put your site on a free web host and once you have done that, you can URL FORWARD your new dot com to that free web site. Now you are only paying about $35 a year, and not $335 a year or more.

Another piece of advice before you register a domain name: Each domain registration requires that you provide a contact address, email address, and phone number. I suggest getting a local PMB (private mail box) or PO Box at your local post office and use that as the address you put on your public "WhoIs" profile on your domain registration. I also have an email address that I only use for domain registrations. When you register a new domain name, over night your contact information is public, and you will get all kinds of solicitations in the mail, in your email, and so on. You may not want all your personal information made so public. So to keep your email address from attracting SPAM, and your home address from being made public to all your web visitors, get a local private mail box TODAY - you'll be really glad you did.

Register.com is a domain name registration leader, and perfect for those that are new to all this. Very easy to use system. Click the banner below to open up a register search box and check if your dot com is available for registration. Get it if it is available, as someone else may have the same idea and get it first! Once I checked a name that was available, and 3 hours later is was gone when I was ready, so look out! Get your domain name first if you are starting a new project, let the name just sit there waiting until you need it. That way you absolutely know your name is secured, and your branding will be consistent. Click the banner below and check to see if the dot com you want is available:

Another Tip: As soon as you register your dot com - order some Business Cards with your dot com on it along with any other contact information you may want available. Everyone you meet will want one. I suggest getting top notch glossy cards instead of those "cheapo" services that send you thin, flimsy, bubble-jet printed cards. For about 25 bucks you can get 250 super glossy business cards printed professionally. When you are trading cards with a business contact, you don't want to have a lame card representing you. I've included a link to my favorite printer called PS Print. I really suggest their service, as I've had a lot of cards and stickers made by them, and they are all top quality. They make my projects look so pro! Just follow the template instructions at their site when designing your cards. Upload, crop, and preview your job all on line. Check it out - Color Business Cards - Click Here.