Thinking of registering a domain with the hot keywords “web hosting?” Sure you are. I can read your mind. Well, I was bored today and thought I’d search and see what web hosting domains were available. So, to start my quest, I visited Godaddy and typed in webhosting .com into the search…

Looks like I’m about 15 years too late on that one. Some clever soul reserved webhosting.com back in January 1993 when I was in the fetal stages of Internet growth. Can’t say I’m surprised. If you are, I’ve got some .info’s over in Iceland that I’d like to sell you:). Have you noticed that just about any occurence of the word webhosting + any valuable keyword has been registered by domainers, SEO’s or individual businesses?

But what I really wanted to see was what results the Godaddy domain suggestion tool would offer as alternatives. Here’s what came up:

Is this sad or what?

Some of the premium domain names aren’t that bad but look how expensive they are!

The additional domains, those at regular prices, are the worst of the crop, wouldn’t you say? I mean, who wants to start a web site called “Web Hosting Store” or “Net Life Hosting.” Also, maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t it seem strange to have the word online and hosting together in the same domain name?

So what’s a web hosting sitebuilder to do? I know you’re out there so please speak up and liberate us from the prospect of buying a bad domain.

Domain Squatter Wants To Give His Domains To Google In Exchange For A Job

Creative minds write not a normal application, they will ensure that you will be attentive to them!

That’s the first line of an open letter posted on adwordsgoogle.de, docsgoogle.de and six other domain names. The sites’ owner and letter’s author, German IT guy Sebastian Klein, wants to give his domains to Google in exchange for a job.

What’s better than desperate pleas? Desperate pleas in hilariously broken English! We can only hope Klein is using some bad translation engine to create the English version of his letter. He might have done well to hire a proofreader.

read more at PickyDomains or Digg

Will Google Buy GoDaddy?

There has been a bit of buzz about the possiblity of accredited registrar, Google (oh and search engine giant too), buying Godaddy. Could this be possible? Looks Like Google might be lining up to Buy GoDaddy Inc the worlds largest domain registrar, a move that some speculate might help Google remove spam from search engine results. GoDaddy has applied for several patents in the past months. GoDaddy may be trying to attract Google as a buyer.

Read about it here and Here | via digg

The 100 Oldest Currently Registered .COM Domains



The list appears a bit dated (ha, ha, ha), but it is rather interesting to see who jumped on the web early. I was surprised to see domains this old. It won’t be long and we’ll have the attention of antique collectors.read more about this | digg.com story

Have you ever wondered what the world’s longest domain name is? How long can a domain be? It’s limited. It seems that a domain can be no longer than 63 characters minus the top level domain suffix.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochuchaf.org.uk

thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com

Since the limit is on what precedes to top level domain name, breaking the tie is a matter of who has the longest TLD. In this case it’s .org.uk.

Congratulations!

Someone also attempted to create the longest blogspot domain:

read more | digg story

I am starting to see more web hosts advertising services as “environmentally friendly.” I am not sure whether this type of thing comes from west coast environmental consciousness or company marketing departments. Perhaps some of both.

Last year we reported on a solar-powered web hosting company, AISO.Net, has chosen data storage and virtualization software firm, Sirius Computer Solutions, to enhance its data center and reduce electricity usage by providing a high end, scalable infrastructure solution for its dedicated and shared web hosting clients. AISO.Net says that they are:

a reliable and responsible green web hosting company. We have made a strong commitment to help fight pollution and preserving our natural resources. Solar panels run our data center and office, not energy credits.

There is also wind powered hosting from sustainable.

Green Hosting claims they are Canada’s “first Internet hosting service powered 100% by green energy.”

When I was growing up in a small, rural, american farm town, we were just thankful to have electricity because it wasn’t all that long ago that folks were using candles. We didn’t obsess over the actual electrons consumed to power our electrical devices which were usually black and white televisions, radios that would pick up one station and shop tools out back. Not that I miss the cliches of “affordable” and “dependable,” but all this has me wondering if we are getting a little overfocused on the minutiae, major on the minors, you know. Do you think environmental web hosting is a waste of time or does it make sense?

More on the subject of green web hosting…

This could be interesting. Google now allows you to create a personalized start page for your Google Apps for Your Domain hosting! This link is to a screenshot review of the service and setup at Boles University.

read more | digg story

The simple ZoneEdit free dns service allows you to safely administrate DNS, mail and web with dynamic DNS support allowing cable modem, dsl, and dial up users to run web sites on your home pc. ZoneEdit can also be used to run web sites on your home pc. It is similar to XName free dns hosting service.

HostingFu has written a great ZoneEdit Review explaining more.

ZoneEdit.com has led a long history in free DNS hosting service. It is reliable, feature rich and free for the first 5 zones you hosted with them. They do quite a bit more than simply returning you the DNS records.

read more about ZoneEdit | digg story

Donyell returns with yet another outstanding article that explains why your own domain name is important.

With society becoming more and more technology savvy it always surprises me when a business owner wants to jump into running business without having the basics.

10 years ago having a domain name was something to do if you wanted your company to have an upper edge. But now, in 2006, it’s not optional.

Every company big or small should have its own domain name. This should be especially obvious if your company is Internet based, however every company can benefit.

Having your own domain name gives you a certain look of creditability. I’ll give you an example. Who would you rather do business with? An accountant that charges $150/hour whose email address is accountz4u@yahoo.com or an account who charges $150/hour whose email address is Billy@AccountingService.com?

If you think it doesn’t matter, then think again. With all the scams and fraud going on people are getting a lot more careful about who they make online purchases with. Do you want the first thing they see to be your free email address?

This brings me to the point that your company doesn’t have to have a website in order to use a domain name. You can benefit from just using the email account.

Having an email address with your company’s name not only gives you a greater look of creditability, but it also allows you to brand your business. With each and every email you send, your company’s name will be seen.

If you don’t currently have a website, one day you might change your mind and decide to put one up. A lot of people are price shopping and gathering information from their computer before they even pick up a phone book or call directory assistance.

You think you don’t need a domain name because you can have a website that’s free? Big mistake.

Don’t just put up a website on angelfire or geocities because it’s free. Ask yourself, would I trust my personal and credit card information with a company whose website address is www.freewebsitehosting.com/folders/business/sallyscomputers? How creditable is that? Also consider what would look better on a business card. That long web address or www.sallyscomputers.com.

But you don’t have to take my advice. If you don’t want to invest $10 a year for a domain name, don’t worry; your competitor will.