I have more and more clients receiving letters from a small handful of companies who are offering to register for them a domain and provide a hosting service that the probably don't need.These letters often offer a prize or giveaway, and when you read it closely you'll find that the domain is very similar to your current domain, often only on a different top level domain. My domain is "receptive.com.au", and the letters I receive offer me "receptive.net" - as an example.
Firstly, do your homework, it makes sense in some cases that you should own these other domains, if the word is familiar enough that another company might want it, but often, it is a waste of effort to buy it. Secondly, it is much easier to maintain one registrar for all of you domains. (some popular domain registrar's are: Melbourne IT, Planet domain, Go Daddy and We are resellers at http://domains.receptive.com.au)
You should be able to register your alternative named domains, and re-direct them to your main website, for under $25 per year. If you need telephone support, or to get someone to do it for you, it may cost a little more. Some places are even cheaper again. So before you shell out over $200, consider your options before you proceed.
<end soap box>
Brendan Byrne - Tuesday, March 16, 2010
