How Much Does Your Domain Name Really Cost You?

It may surprise you to know that one of the most popular questions I get asked by newcomers to internet marketing is related to buying a domain name.

Now I know if you've been around a little while you're probably thinking "Buying a domain name! How hard is that? Just choose your name, click and buy!" But actually, on reflection, it can be a bit of a minefield out there...

From the minute you arrive at your preferred domain seller you're bombarded with choices, processes and options that are designed to get you spend a deal more than, say, the $4.99 you Originally thought your shiny new domain name was going to cost you.

I decided to pop along to my local domain shop (read click on a bookmark and login) and take a look at exactly what's on offer and whether all these add-ons and extras are totally essential.

* OK, so the first thing I see before I even type in the domain name I want to buy is that there's a "Sale" on certain suffixes like .com .net .org

* I type in my domain name - domain-name-confusion.com - and click the 'next' button and 'fantastic', it's available, but hang on... I can also buy domain-name-confusion.US .NAME .BIZ etc and many more. I can also choose from MYdomain-name-confusion, EASYdomain-name-confusion, domain-name-confusionONLINE, domain-name-confusionSTORE and myriad other combinations

* I decide that no, I'm just going to stick to my original choice of domain-name-confusion.com and so I don't check any of the other boxes. I proceed on to what I think is the checkout but OH NO... again I'm being asked to STOP! Why don't I protect my brand and increase my traffic by buying the .org .net and .info - and I'm even offered a really amazing "special price" to buy the job lot! And what's more there's a special box with a list of compelling reasons why I really should do this

* No thanks, I still want to stick to my original domain-name-confusion.com so I click on the checkout button, AGAIN!

Great! We're onto the summary page where I'm told what I'm ordering.

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