Vanity domain names. Would you want one?

[Rathji]

I recently realized that through use of third level domain names, I could create a vanity domain name for myself at the cost of about $35 a year. I do currently maintain a .ca address that I use for many things, and would have no problems changing that address.

My question is, if you could do this, would you? If not, what would be the reason.

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, this is where you combine a country suffix and the domain name for something clever, like ma.tt or del.icio.us, see more examples here

[photon]

I would for sure, having your own domain name is handy even if it just means you never need to change your email address again (gmail is great, but what if gmail decides to do something I'm against and want to switch? 1000x worse than moving)

https://domai.nr/ is a good tool I've used before to find those domains. Have to be careful doing domain lookups, there's been a few times I've used some tool to see if a domain was available and then went back a few days later and it'd been registered.

[CaramonLS]

Maybe it is just me, but when I see a really strange domain name or domain extension, I think 'scam'.

[CubicleGeek]

If I didn't already have my .com, I would. No point having two imo.

[Hack&Lube]

I've wanted to do this for years but my desired vanity name very closely coincides with one of the most notorious countries and havens for bad internet traffic and I my domain would probably be untrusted and/or blocked by many places.

[photon]

The ones I figure out almost always seem to be from countries that charge hundreds per year.

[northcrunk]

I have my name in .ca and .com but it might be cool to hold on to some of the funnier domain names for re-sale

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by photon

The ones I figure out almost always seem to be from countries that charge hundreds per year.

I have been thinking about this for a long time. Unfortunately, my ideal name is in the same boat, which is why I have never gone for it. My second choice, which is a 3rd level domain is already owned.

I have figured out a workaround, using a prefix, but it kind of makes email addresses awkward.

I am also considering hold out to see if the gTLDs will work for me.

[Buff]

I have a friend who registered the last few letters of his first name for a domain name, just so he can have a specialized email address.

For example let's pretend his name is Calgary. His domain would be lgary.ca his email address would be c@lgary.ca. Kinda neat and geeky at the same time.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I recently realized that through use of third level domain names, I could create a vanity domain name for myself at the cost of about $35 a year. I do currently maintain a .ca address that I use for many things, and would have no problems changing that address.

My question is, if you could do this, would you? If not, what would be the reason.

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, this is where you combine a country suffix and the domain name for something clever, like ma.tt or del.icio.us, see more examples here

I would do it.

And from the link above, I have to say Will.i.am kind of worked out. He managed to get a domain name that matches exactly the way his brand is spelled, brilliant.