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Get Your Own Domain Name

Registering your own Web address doesn't work the way it used to. We walk you through the process.

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Your domain can't have a Web or e-mail presence unless it's hosted--though your registrar may provide some hosting services for a Web presence and e-mail account at a reasonable cost (or gratis). Once you know which domain registrar you'll have, figure out exactly what you need to attach to your domain. Then pick an appropriate host.

If you want a Web presence but don't care about e-mail boxes and don't have much of a budget, there's no shortage of free domain hosting services. They provide 20 to 25MB of space at no cost, but they also stick their ads on each of your Web pages--acceptable if all you aim to do is show off pictures of your new kid, for instance. Freeservers, Web1000, and WebJump are three such hosts that place no limit on bandwidth (meaning there's no limit to the number of times your pages get served to visitors).

If you have from $6 to $20 per month to burn, you can get a budget Web and e-mail hosting service that doesn't slap ads on all your Web pages. Such a deal might be perfect for a small business looking to establish a simple online foothold. Freeservers provides an upgrade from its free service for a mere $5.95 per month (though it doesn't provide e-mail boxes, just a forwarding service). For full-fledged Web hosting, including FTP dropboxes (for uploading files for your Web site) and a few e-mail boxes, you'll be looking at $30 or so a month.

If you want e-mail but don't care much about a Web presence, some domain registrars can take care of your needs cheaply or for free. ENom will forward up to ten e-mail addresses in your new domain. Names4ever offers two free Web-based e-mail boxes. Register.com will give you that many Web/POP3 boxes for $29 per year.

Shop around. Don't jump at the first reasonable host for your Web domain. There could be a better deal with more services or lower charges. Head to WebHosters.com, an independent site that provides a comprehensive search form to help you pinpoint exactly the services you want--and the price you're willing to pay.

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