Dynadot

discuss Before 1995, you could get a domain name for free

Spaceship Spaceship
Watch
Impact
1,877
Did you know as a domainer that before 1995, you could get a domain name for free?

"1995: Domain name registration is no longer free
Before 1995, anyone who wanted a domain name could register it free of charge. That all changed when the National Science Foundation awarded tech consulting company Network Solutions the ability to charge for registration. Domain prices began at $100 for a two-year registration."

https://mashable.com/2014/03/10/domain-names-history/

You should check out this article and share your comments here.

My opinion is that it is only fair that there is a charge for the domain names. However, the number of extensions that have been introduced is the real issue I believe.
 
0
•••
The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
  • Domain name resources are less and less and more precious
 
1
•••
I had remember when it wasn't cheap and thinking everything was taken back then. If you were 5 years in owning a domain you were owed $500.
 
Last edited:
1
•••
Well I remember when it was cheap and I could literally buy any good 2 word domains for under 100 usd. But it doesn't matter. We have to adapt with time
 
1
•••
Well I remember when it was cheap and I could literally buy any good 2 word domains for under 100 usd. But it doesn't matter. We have to adapt with time
I wasn't buying to resell until sedo and great domains took off.
 
0
•••
but all the good 1worders were never really easy to get or reg anyway right?
 
0
•••
Nothing comes for free in this world..

So its fair to pay 8 to 10 USD renewal fee, thats what keeping the technology sustainable.. At least it has down from 50 USD a year to 10 USD a year :)
 
2
•••
but all the good 1worders were never really easy to get or reg anyway right?
The Germans got in on it really with dot de sales and com on Sedo reselling snapping them all up.
 
0
•••
The Germans got in on it really with dot de sales and com on Sedo reselling snapping them all up.

I see

so in few words was there ever a moment something like sex.com was up for grabs for anyone willing to spend the regfee? I mean it's not like it was auctioned off to high bidder first reg around back there right?
 
0
•••
I see

so in few words was there ever a moment something like sex.com was up for grabs for anyone willing to spend the regfee? I mean it's not like it was auctioned off to high bidder first reg around back there right?
It was stolen i remember. We all would register the f word until got the email to say couldn't have it next day then one day someone had that.
 
Last edited:
0
•••
A lot of great domains were regged for free then when told there would be a fee some dropped names because they were not paying. Was completely different mindset back then. Some of the early adopters thought the net should be totally free.
 
1
•••
There were also single words that were deemed to have a market advantage so were not available to register till one day you found they were.
 
0
•••
A lot of great domains were regged for free then when told there would be a fee some dropped names because they were not paying. Was completely different mindset back then. Some of the early adopters thought the net should be totally free.

A lot of people still feel the internet should be free in respect to all the paywalls and subscriptions models cropping up right now.

I wonder what opinions will be in 50 years
 
2
•••
Did you know as a domainer that before 1995, you could get a domain name for free?

"1995: Domain name registration is no longer free
Before 1995, anyone who wanted a domain name could register it free of charge. That all changed when the National Science Foundation awarded tech consulting company Network Solutions the ability to charge for registration. Domain prices began at $100 for a two-year registration."



My opinion is that it is only fair that there is a charge for the domain names. However, the number of extensions that have been introduced is the real issue I believe.


Infact they were free later than that ,maybe 1997. Some people I know are now living the high life on what they made during those days. It was a once in lifetime opportunity.
 
0
•••
A lot of people still feel the internet should be free in respect to all the paywalls and subscriptions models cropping up right now.

I wonder what opinions will be in 50 years

Very true, those horses left the barn but many still trying to wrangle them back.

There will always be a ton of free content and some places that have to pay a lot of qualified people who will do it behind a paywall.

People want free and that's understandable, on the flipside Journalism certainly has suffered due to that desire.

Some people not wanting to pay $100 for two years cost themselves millions. I knew a guy who told me they had a friend on suicide watch in the early 2000's he saw domain names he picked up in 94 for free and dropped once they cost a fee, selling for big money millions of dollars.
 
Last edited:
2
•••
Back