.info

They're free now, but for how long?

[grelmar]

My hosting service/domain registering service is so desperate to get people into the .info game, that they're giving away 1 year registration and hosting for them.

Anyone have any clue what these domains are going to cost to re-register? On whim, I picked up a couple of domains for "screwing around" purposes. Was wondering if I should invest much time in developping these sites if they're going to end up costing a small fortune to renew once the free year wears off.

Was also considering picking up a few more and trying to re-sell once the freebie offers stop at the end of the year.

[dmorison]

Just look around at registrars that aren't offering the "free" deal and see what their prices are.

You are quite right to question this because the tactic of course is that you get "hooked" on the domain (i.e. create a successfull website) and are then forced to pay to renew your registration at the end of the free year.

I think you'll find that .com/.net/.org and most country TLD's are cheaper than .info so it will be false economy in the long run.

[gpmgroup]

They just revert to normal prices at the end of your year.

The free registration is nearly over and only available from some registrars, but I understand Afilias has applied to ICANN to be allowed to offer first year registration for $.75 + ($.25 ICANN Fee) at wholesale for the whole of 2005.

The price for renewals is set by the individual registrar company, if they are expensive you can always move to a cheaper one.

[cyberair]

.info registration prices are the same as .com, .net and .org. The same places that offer cheap .com registrations offer cheap .info registrations.

I have been taking advantage of this offer and in the way realized how many perfect domains there are still available in the .info network. Now that content is once again king, I find no other domain extension more suitable than the .info.

[grelmar]

I decided to take the risk and go with it on a few domains that are just experiments anyway.

If, they don't do anything by the end of the year, then I'll be happy to just let them expire.

I'm also using it as a cool way to give out unique Xmas gifts. "Brotherinlawsname.info" etc strikes me as a funkier thing to give away than just a card.

[aumit]

i got some too..

i think of it this way, if i can make a successful site that makes me some money,, at the end of the year even if the registrar charges me $20 for the next, i wont mind..

also better idea perhaps is as someone advised to transfer that domain to another registrar: that charges sane prices..

ps. are we allowed to name the registrars that are still offering the free service? if so, someone please do.. cause i only got 5 of em, want more..

and free domain+free hosting sounds spectacular! :)

thanks

[submitx]

dotster was giving away 25, but its over now. I got some myself. Godaddy is selling them for $1.95.

[aumit]

thanks submitx,,

i got my first five from dotster too..

and after some research i found hostway is giving em out for free... and mydomain's deal just ended like 2 days ago or so..

if anyone else knows of any other, please let us know .. thanks

[reborn]

If you understand French, try indom.com
Free, no credit card info, valid until 31st of December I think..

[aumit]

thanks a lot reborn,

we jourpal petit frances :)

[jarboy]

Just checking before I register it - that French one does register it in your name and not theirs so you can move it after a year, yes? I don't want to register and then discover I'm stuck:-)

[Gorilla]

It seems all of the free/low priced .info domain offers are now gone. Anyone have any information indicating the offers will resume? Is the registrar still offering first year registrations for a low price/free to the resellers?

[grelmar]

The offer at the company I use expired last night at the stroke of New Years - Supposedly, there are a couple of companies out there that are getting extensions, but I don't know who they are.

[Oldiary]

planetdomain
you can register free

but i think it will just free for one year

[edited by: engine at 8:52 pm (utc) on Jan. 4, 2005]

[swoop]

planetdomain is no longer free, or anywhere close to free :(