Require TLD?

**Peo** · May 28th, 2012, 12:24

Back to Host Talk it is.

**GridVirt** · May 28th, 2012, 19:30

Originally Posted by Schmarvin

I was thinking about something, as I see it happening more and more lately. New hosts starting under a .tk, .co.cc, .uni.cc or other free domain. Do you think these so called hosts should be allowed to run?

I personally don't, as they can't afford a $6 domain. Whats that say about their services that they offer?

What do you guys think? I'd like to hear your opinion on free domain and hosting providers.

If I see a domain like that I don't even bother opening the page and nobody else should either.

**Seraphim** · May 29th, 2012, 16:13

Originally Posted by Schmarvin

I thought it was in "Host Talk."
And it was more-or-less a discussion on opinions. No one can stop a host from running. Just looking to get opinions to see who has what perspective on this subject.

Ah, my bad. I thought it was a discussion of if they should be allowed to advertise here or not, and marked it to be moved to FWS feedback so that it could possibly produce a forum rule change if enough people supported it.

Seems like that wasn't your intention. Although I kind of think it isn't a half bad idea, but these days even the free TLD hosts are becoming few in number as they get squished out by hard times on the internet.

**Schmarvin** · May 29th, 2012, 20:22

Its fine. My problem is they like to think they are the greatest thing out there, post everywhere and try to flame all the reputable hosts to try to get customers.
I mean, run an honest business. Buy a $7 domain at least. You don't need paid hosting or servers. You don't even need a paid billing system at first. But a domain is a must. Hell, back in my E-commerce class, we had to pay for our own domain at least!

**FHN-Eric** · June 3rd, 2012, 06:07

Its fine, but if they go around advertising on forums, they should at least have uptime of 3 months and be able to prove it.

**sarmth** · June 3rd, 2012, 06:55

Originally Posted by Peo

You want it moved to "Free hosting discussions" or "Host Talk"?

As for your question - who should stop them if they are "not allowed to run"?

I agree Peo.

I don't think they should "not be allowed to run", I think that is these people can successfully launch a website hosting company with no money invested, they should receive some level of respect. Perhaps these hosts are more concerned with spending money on infrastructure then they are with domain names.

All in all, I think that while the market is competitive, we should take a neutral approach towards each other and not try to undermine people who just start off in hosting. Perhaps they won't get off the ground, maybe they will. Who can be sure. If you are concerned about whether or not they are legitimate, or they can be trusted, then perhaps you shouldn't buy from them

**wswd** · June 3rd, 2012, 14:03

Sarmth, I think you're missing the point...big time. What kind of legitimate business can't afford $6/year for a domain name? It has nothing to do with spending that $6 on infrastructure (what kind of infrastructure are they going to buy for $6? ROFL!) or anything else. It has to do with trust, and the fact that these folks are not running legitimate businesses.

Would you honestly trust doing business with a "company" that can't afford a $6 in an entire year?

**FHN-Eric** · June 3rd, 2012, 19:03

wswd, you may think that, and i accept you opinion, but I agree with sarmth. How else would the market equilibrium be stable? People see a demand for hosting, the more firms in the industry mean hosts are competing for customers, as a result there is always a promo making this a buyers market. As a company, Im sure you know that free domains arnt good, but at the same time if they want to spend $6 on a reseller account instead of a domain, Im all fine with that, its $6 extra in my pocket.

**wswd** · June 4th, 2012, 00:17

Competention is always good. My point still stands. You have 14 year old kids running illegal businesses out of their basements. They use some free template, and all of the sudden look like a big company. You've done the right thing and became a LLC. How does it make you feel that you're running a legitimate business, spending legitimate money on servers and equipment, paying taxes, etc., and some kid comes along running an illegal business with a free domain name, free reseller account from Youhosting? Doesn't that piss you off a little bit?

Secondly, don't you care about the potential clients? We're plagued in this industry by a lack of regulation. In other businesses, the consumer is protected due to much needed regulation and bureaucracy. You can't open a restaurant, for example, without the appropriate documentation, licenses, etc. When I opened an office for our hosting business, I had to get a business license, permits, etc. Consumers know I'm a real, legitimate business. How many of these hosts using free domains just up and disappear, taking everyones' money with them? I can list probably hundreds that have gone under, in the 16+ years I've been around the industry.

The "market equilibrium" can be plenty stable with legitimate businesses. How do you think the market equilibrium stabilizes itself in any other industry? You really need illegal businesses with no business plans, no investment, etc.? Give me a break.

**geckonetwork** · June 5th, 2012, 23:06

I also agree, they are unable to buy a domain for $10.00 but can afford a server?
How is this possible when you also must pay there WHMCS,cPanel and so on it's probably all nulled! (WHMCS)
I hate it when I see hosts like this, and then they have no heart and rip there customers off!

**buzzhostingUK** · June 11th, 2012, 14:39

It is likely the "Company" is being run by a 10 year old of whom got a reseller account free of charge otherwise if you can afford a server, you certainly can afford a domain name.

**Schmarvin** · June 19th, 2012, 12:59

@buzzhostingUK, true statement. Just don't like the fact that went a lot of them start up, they believe they are the greatest thing in the world and argue about it.