Who else wants unique gift ideas for the special event?

Are you looking for something inexpensive, personal, and can be pretty useful? Give a domain name. It can be a great gift by itself or if combined with a online gallery.

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. Less obvious last-minute gift, unlike a lottery ticket.
6. Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
5. Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
4. Domains are cheap; you can register one for a year for as little as $6.95
3. You won’t shoot your eye out with it!
2. It can be passed down from generation to generation like a great framed portrait.
1. You can buy it at 11:59pm on the day before the birthday, wedding, anniversary or any 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 it a Better Gift

But if you truly would like to use the domain name for a web site, e-mail, etc., you will want to have the domain hosted. Owning one with out hosting it is 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.

A domain is so techie that you may want something solid to go along with it. And also the obvious choice may be a set of gorgeous business cards using the new domain particulars on them. VistaPrint will print 250 business cards in color for 20 dollars (or free for new customers, with a small $10 shipping-handling fee).

Where to Buy

You can find about 70 gazillion websites that let you register domain names, and yet another 30 gazillion that will host that name for you. And there is a lot of overlap. There are also plenty of sites that will help you find a hosting company; check out Hosting Comparison and Multiple Domain Hosting.

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. 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

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.

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.CarltonCreek.com
• Small business owner name: www.PaulPhotoshop.com or www.StevenStudio.com
• Use nicknames: www.RockRuppert.com or www.ChefCornwall.com
• Incorporate job: www.LilyaLawyer.com or www.DrDrewCarey.com
• Incorporate a persons interests: www.GolferGwyneth.com
• Incorporate a quirks: www.ScreaminSuzy.com
• Make a statement: www.ILoveLouise.com or www.BewareOfHillary.com
• Name of pet: www.TiggersDad.com