Do I need a Domain name

stphnstevey

Bit of a newbie to website design.

I have found a few FREE hosting companies. Do I need a Domain name to be able to host a website?

Astaroth

Depends on the host, but generally speak no, you dont need a domain to use a website. However if you are talking about a business then a domain name will both be easier for others to remember and also enable you to rank higher with search engines for the key terms in your domain name

stphnstevey

Thanks

What would my website address be if I didn't have a domain name?

Can I add a domain name to my site later on?

Astaroth

It depends on the host, it could be http://www.yourname.yourisp.co.uk or it may be http://www.yourisp.co.uk/something/yourname

What options you have depends on who you are using for the hosting of the website. Some simply dont offer domains (eg some of the free hosts) in which case you will only ever be able to "fake" using a domain name by using frames or simple forwarding. Frames has all the associated problems with them like being unable to bookmark/ favourites for individual pages, search engine problems etc

Given a domain name is so cheap these days I would have thought it isnt worth "the risk" that someone else buys the one you want whilst you wait

stphnstevey

Thanks, great advice.

Where would I get a domain name from?

nickmack

stphnstevey wrote:

Thanks, great advice.

Where would I get a domain name from?

Use the search forum facility with the phrase 'domain names' and see suggestions on previous threads.