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Choose a Domain Name


Pick and register a domain name that feels right for your portfolio

Choosing a domain name can be easy or it can be very difficult. It all depends on what you're trying to do and there are no wrong or right answers. In this task you're going to pick a domain name that feels right for your portfolio. You can have any domain name that is not already registered. You can use sites like domai.nr to check the availabilty of a domain name.

Many people choose to register their own name as the domain name for their portfolio. This approach may not be the most exciting method, but it is very versatile and to the point.
 
You may choose to register a word with specific meaning behind it. Jeremy Keith uses adactio.com for his domain and this may be for its latin meaning or it may simply be because he likes it. 
 
Domain hacking is another popular method for choosing a domain name. In this sense the term hacking refers to the art of combining all the parts of the domain to form an overall word. 
Bit.ly, del.icio.us and foundat.io/n are examples of domain hacking. Typically it costs a little bit more than a .com to register a domain suitable for hacking (there are often more legalities to it as well) so you might want to bear this in mind when selecting a name.
 
Spend the next 20 minutes or so thinking of a domain name and checking its availability. If you find one that you think is perfect for your needs then go ahead and register it. If you can't think of one in this time then don't register one just to finish the task. You can finish this task in your own time. The important part is that you register a domain name that you're happy with.
 
When you've registered your domain name, post it onto the challenge discussion page telling people what your domain name is.

Task Discussion


  • lmk said:

    Hmm. I got names. :)

    on Feb. 16, 2012, 4:08 a.m.
  • Dave Joe said:

    Registered my name, because I believe the site will be a valuable tool to further my career as a web developer.

    http://davidrjoseph.com

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 10:26 p.m.
  • WebDevRobert said:

    I have many domains registered, but for the purposes of this task, lets say I chose to register http://bamajr.com/ for myself. I've had this domain for years, but I'll use it for this task.

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 10:03 a.m.
  • Vamp said:

    Have some ideas, but will not post until they are up ;)

    on Feb. 5, 2012, 2:55 p.m.
  • Malmater said:

    I snagged brotherberago.tk

    I would highly recommend using gandi.net as a registrar for domain names.

    dot.tk is free, gandi.net has better best practices.

    on Feb. 3, 2012, 3:58 p.m.
  • jamiedmattingly said:

    i searched through register.com and found that using my name as a domain jamiedmattingly.com was available but i wont purchase it as i said in previous post i am a cheapskate by nature, hence taking this free class instead of going to college to learn programming

    on Jan. 30, 2012, 2:23 p.m.
  • jamesweaver said:

    I own multiple domain names. My personal favorites are...

    columbus-ohio-web-designer.com

    jameswadeweaver.com

    jwadeweaver.com

    jamesandlauragetmarried.com

    freefornon.com

    and many many many more...

    • BEST-SSL-CERTIFICATE.COM
    • CLOUD-COMPUTING-COMPANIES.IN
    • CLOUD-COMPUTING-SERVICE.COM
    • CLOUD-COMPUTING-SERVICE.NET
    • CLOUD-COMPUTING-SERVICE.ORG
    • CLOUD-COMPUTING-SERVICE.US
    • CLOUD-HOSTING-PROVIDERS.IN
    • CLOUD-HOSTING-PROVIDERS.NET
    • COMPLETEWINEGUIDE.COM
    • DAILYAFFILIATEMARKETER.COM
    • DEDICATEDPCSUPPORT.COM
    • DELUXESSL.COM
    • EDNS-CLIENT-SUBNET.COM
    • FREE-WEBSITES-HOSTING.COM
    • FREE-WORDPRESS-TEMPLATES.IN
    • FREE-WORDPRESS-THEMES.IN
    • INSTANTEMAILER.COM
    • JOOMLASEO.IN
    • NOWRINGTONES.COM
    • ONLINEBACKUP-SERVICE.NET
    • ONLINE-BACKUP-SOLUTIONS.NET
    • PREMIUMSSLSECURITY.COM
    • PREMIUM-WORDPRESS-THEMES.IN
    • PREMIUM-WORDPRESS-THEMES.ORG
    • SECURESSLFORSALE.COM
    • SECURESSLWEBSITE.COM
    • SECUREYOURSITEWITHSSL.COM
    • SSL-CERTIFICATE-PROVIDER.COM
    • SSLFORSALE.COM
    • STANDARDSSLSECURITY.COM
    • VIRTUALSECURESERVER.NET
    • WEBSITE-DIRECTORY-LISTING.COM
    • WHATISSEO.IN
    on Jan. 29, 2012, 5:57 p.m.
  • Sinsedrix said:

    I chose sinsedrix.com since it's my pseudo. You can't see anything yet since I only share hidden urls for my friends. I may do a redirect page toward all accounts/blogs in a second time.

    on Jan. 26, 2012, 5:52 a.m.
  • Tarmo Toikkanen said:

    tarmo.fi

    but I also have stuff like npr.fi, opettajantekijanoikeus.fi, sosiaalinenmediaopetuksessa.fi, lemill.net, lemill.org, opettajantekijänoikeus.fi (yep, there's a special character in that domain name that redirects to an ascii version, but could actually contain different things).

    on Jan. 23, 2012, 3:54 a.m.
  • Pavlos Chris said:

    This is my domain!

    on Jan. 15, 2012, 10:13 a.m.
  • Vladimir Támara Patiño said:

    Some years ago I registered pasosdeJesus.org,it has several subdomains, for example:

    on Jan. 6, 2012, 11:48 p.m.
  • Vita said:

    Because I didn't want to pay any money for the new domain name, I just registered on free web hosting site (www.my-webs.org) and that means my domain name is vitadevil.my-webs.org So far I just put there a file from the Challenge #3 Anyway... hoping to make a lot of changes there very soon and make my actual portfolio...!!! wink

    on Jan. 4, 2012, 11:14 a.m.
  • Joan said:

    So, I to translate to Latin, using Google translate the name of a passerine bird that I love the sound of: nightingale.

    Google gives me these:

    AEDO
    AEDON
    LUSCINIA
    LUSCINIOLA
    PHILOMELA
    LUSCINIUS
     
    I picked the first one. But it's not available at .co.nr so I got it from .co.cc.
     
    So, now I got the domain www.aedo.co.cc. Check it out!
     
    Although, right now, I'm still trying to set it up.
    on Dec. 18, 2011, 9:50 p.m.
  • Joshua S. Williams said:

     

    Hey everyone! You dont need to go out and buy a domain unless you want too. There is a site called Dot.tk that will give you a free yourwebsite.tk and it has DNS support! Check them out first!!!

     

    http://www.dot.tk

    also for your webhosting use: 

    http://www.000webhost.com/

     
    on Dec. 6, 2011, 12:32 p.m.
  • Alex Au said:

    www.wikikumu.org

    on Dec. 1, 2011, 4:11 p.m.
  • Anonym said:

    Well, it was a lot of problems, but I have a new .com and I have been thinking of that for a long time. www.kjelllinski.com is the name and I really need som moore studying to do I think.

    on Nov. 28, 2011, 4:39 p.m.
  • brotherhutch said:

    markdhutchison.ca

    Right now I am using this only for P2PU work.

    on Nov. 13, 2011, 1:11 p.m.
  • Jo Meyertons said:

    This isn't a registered domain, but it is a site with my "brand" on it:

    https://sites.google.com/site/jomeyertonseportfolio/

    Right now I'm focusing on developing a cool site. When I'm closer to done, I'll pick a domain name and register it. For now, a simple Dropbox or Google site works fine. 

    on Nov. 7, 2011, 4:28 p.m.
  • Brylie Oxley said:

    I registered the domain gnumedia.org because I recognise the importance of the free software movement, and I am interested in applying the GNU philosophy in the realm of media & mass communications. I want the domain to showcase tools and productions emerging from the free software and free culture communities.

    on Nov. 5, 2011, 10:57 p.m.
  • Justine Lavoie said:

    About two years ago I chose to use my full name with a .com for my professional portfolio site. About 6 months later I also created heyjustine.com as a more playful blog/sketch site. I think I may eventually combine these two sites into one.

    My process was actually a bit different. I chose hosting first and then I bought my domain names from my host. This seemed to be the path of least resistance for me.

    I think if I ever went into professional freelance web design I think I might choose Media Temple because I have heard some good things about them. I currently use inMotion hosting and I have never had an issue with them after two years. Hope this helps!

    on Nov. 4, 2011, 10:38 a.m.

    Brylie Oxley said:

    I like your website smiley  Great artwork!

    on Nov. 5, 2011, 11:05 p.m. in reply to Justine Lavoie

    Justine Lavoie said:

    Thanks~

    on Nov. 6, 2011, 8:29 a.m. in reply to Brylie Oxley