# Why do Web address companies charge's differ so much? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2001, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-address-companies-charges-differ-so-much/54589 "2001-02-15T15:20:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-address-companies-charges-differ-so-much/54589/1 "2001-02-15T15:20:46Z")
Hello- OK, I’m trying to register two new web addresses, and have tried to do a little price comparison. Boy, what a difference! At Network Solutions, two addresses for two years costs $126…At [UK2.net](http://UK2.net) I can register them for FREE (or for only a few british pounds for added services, but not more than $20). Huh? I’m confused. What scam does [UK2.net](http://UK2.net) use to get money from me? Are there other companies out there like this? I want to park two addresses until we build a business for one of them. Just sit on it for awhile, but then we will use it. So should I pay the $126, or see what happens with the free option? Thanks- -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-address-companies-charges-differ-so-much/54589/2 "2001-02-15T16:05:54Z")
Hi Tomcat. Here is a link that may help you decide who to register with. [Domain Name Buyers Guide](http://www.DomainNameBuyersGuide.com/) They are ranked on price and terms outlined in the contract. I don’t see [UK2.net](http://UK2.net) on the list but you can get some good information on choosing a registrar. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-address-companies-charges-differ-so-much/54589/3 "2001-02-15T16:19:40Z")
Some companies try to make their money with alternative services. I registered my domain name through a British company called **FreeNetName** , and didn’t pay a single penny for the registration or the site hosting. So far I’ve had no problems. **FreeNetName** make their money by also acting as an ISP, and in order to upload to my site I have to be logged in via a dial-up connection to them. However – and here’s the catch – companies that charge bizarrely low prices, or rely on other services, may not last that long. **FreeNetName** have stopped taking on subscribers, and I’m slightly worried now that one day my site will just disappear (and any chance of legally claiming the domain name back). ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-web-address-companies-charges-differ-so-much/54589/4 "2001-02-15T18:32:06Z")
In addition to the issue of these companies going belly-up, there’s one more issue that I’ve read about on other boards (which also have disappeared) that the domain is not _really_ yours. The way I understand it, YMMV, is that once your contract with the registrar is over, the domain reverts to _their_ possession (as they’re the ones who paid applicable registration fees and whatnot). What is supposed to happen at this point is anyone’s guess, but my WAG is that they then try to sell it back to you or use it for their own nefarious schemes. To be on the safe side, I’d register it so I own it outright, but it is a decent hunk of change…