Hello there,

Am new to the whole website business and such. Currently just reading and learning about some code, seo, and other basic stuff. My question is, from a getting the word out perspective, what are the negatives from using free domains such as .cc and .nr?

Sorry for the english.

The domain really doesn't matter as long as you own it and have permanent control over it.

.com is the most common, so it's recommended as it's easiest for people to remember. But the other TLD's are alright, there's nothing wrong with them.

.com's are only 7 bucks so I usually spring for those.

actually there a lot of cheap domains out there.....but the free ones do the job 2.....

I think that search engines don't like free domains but they are OK if you want to make your URL short! Buy a real domain - .com or .net! It costs around 7 bucks per year!

You are working on the web site and web site is associated with domain name and if the domain name was given for free to you that might be taken from you.
So if you are serious about that, better spend $10 for that and work over and be sure that the domain name you are using won't be lost.

SE do not know if that free 3d level domain name is free or paid and that will not effect the SEO of the web site you will have on the domain name.

Originally Posted by ~ServerPoint~

You are working on the web site and web site is associated with domain name and if the domain name was given for free to you that might be taken from you.

That's a little scary, but a keen point. I'm also new to all this, but from what I understand .com is the most competitive, even with .net and .info becoming more used. So a possible con of free domain names is that they may not get as much traffic. When you think about it it's really not that much money to purchase when you consider the monthly charge.

The cons in free domains is they take it away from you anytime.

Free domains... >> You Basically Get What You Pay For >>>>>

It does suck for most things, but not always the other things if that made any sense

Originally Posted by ~ServerPoint~

You are working on the web site and web site is associated with domain name and if the domain name was given for free to you that might be taken from you.
So if you are serious about that, better spend $10 for that and work over and be sure that the domain name you are using won't be lost.

I agree. Free domains are free yet can also be taken freely away from you. So imagine you have established a good site and ranked will with this free domain but came one day the provider gone out of business. And so were you right? So better secure a tld rather than sticking to the uncertainty of free domains or subdomains. However, for me, free domains are good for experiments and other stuffs.

Most people, as average web users, are more likely to view .com sites as the authority site mostly because .com is king. Thats in the sense if they are visiting your website for the first time they will view your site in a better light.

Most people, as average web users, are more likely to view .com sites as the authority site mostly because .com is king. Thats in the sense if they are visiting your website for the first time they will view your site in a better light.

Haven't you seen bad web sites with .COM.
As for me that is not a figure at all.

Originally Posted by regmac

I agree. Free domains are free yet can also be taken freely away from you.

So can TLD's if your hosting illegal or even questionable content

Originally Posted by regmac

So imagine you have established a good site and ranked will with this free domain but came one day the provider gone out of business. And so were you right?

This is true for any Hosting company...Even 'Regular' ( Paid ) Hosts

Originally Posted by regmac

So better secure a tld rather than sticking to the uncertainty of free domains or subdomains. However, for me, free domains are good for experiments and other stuffs.

I agree here, that it's better to secure a TLD, but a good one, not just Any one...

Why not pay a few bucks for your .com website? Those free stuffs come with a lot of baggage that you don't need. Buying your own space that you can control is better, I think.

This is true for any Hosting company...Even 'Regular' ( Paid ) Hosts

^ I'm not so sure about this. I think you mean if the registrar goes under. If you own a TLD and the host you have goes under, hopefully you will have backed up your files and you are ok still. You could just get a new host and the TLD will be safe with your registrar. But don't quote me on it, and I've never really thought about what would happen if the registrar itself went out of business.

As others have said cbnz, .cc and .nr will generally leave a negative impression. Not all visitors, but some. Also, search engine rankings may suffer. Although many people tell me its not true, and no one has any proof, I truly believe that freebie domains like that and even cheap domains like .infos get less credibility in the search engines. Considering the cheap price of domains I would just buy one if it is a serious business project. If it is just a site for you to practice code on and to share with friends and associates, have a blast with the free domain.