It is an idea that is a little on the techie side, but is a lot more personal than a camera or cellphone – start with a web domain name. You can can explore endless possibilities based on an initial idea of a personalised domain name, from a pretty website, awesome photo blog, eye-catching online photo album to a custom photography portfolio and online store. It can be a great gift by itself or can be combined with a ready-made photo gallery to become the most amazing personalised gift.

Here are some reasons why it is a good idea:

10. It is easier to find a good domain name than a reasonably priced passive 3D TV.
9. It’s more personal than a camera or smartphone.
8. No assembly required. (No instructions in Chinese to go through.)
7. Less obvious last-minute gift, unlike a lottery ticket.
6. Save a tree — you don’t have to wrap it!
5. Give someone the secret identity they’ve always wanted.
4. Domains are cheap; you can register one for a year for as little as $6.95
3. You won’t shoot your eye out with it!
2. It can be passed down from generation to generation like a great framed portrait.
1. You can buy it at 11:59pm on the day before the birthday, wedding, anniversary or any special day, and still have it in time.

Owning a domain only gives you the rights to the name, e.g., johnandmary.com. It is like a declaration that the name is yours. You can go to any of the web domain registration companies such as Godaddy or Namecheap to purchase a domain name.

Making it a Better Gift

But in case you truly want to use the domain name for a web site, e-mail, and so on, you might want to have the domain hosted. Owning 1 with out hosting it is referred to as “parking” the domain. Less than $10 a month gets you hosting for that domain. We have been using Hostgator for more than 8 years and it has been the best one out of 30+ hosting companies that we have tried. So bottom line, $120 (or less) buys a hosted domain for a year.

Now once you have a domain hosted, you can create a beautiful website based on the templates given at the hosting company. You can also get a web photo gallery for the domain. You can even help that special someone to start an online business. But you need to get the right hosting service. See the next section about how to choose a good host.

A domain is so “cyber” that you may want something solid to go along with it. And also the apparent option could be a set of gorgeous business cards with the new domain details on them. VistaPrint will print 250 business cards in color for 20 dollars (or free of charge for new clients, with a small $10 shipping-handling charge).

Recommended Sites to Use

You will notice about 70 gazillion web sites that let you register domain names, and an additional 30 gazillion that can host that name for you. And there is plenty of overlap. There are also plenty of sites that will help you find a hosting company; check out Hosting Comparison and Multi Domain Hosting.

If you do not have the time to research for the best domain registration company or web hosting, then here is our recommendations:

Best Domain Registrar:

• Netfirms for the cheapest .COM domain registration
• Godaddy for cheap $1.99 .INFO domains

Best Domain Hosting:

• Hostgator for most comprehensive DIY hosting including Sitebuilders with 4000+ unique templates, one-click-installer for lots of web applications, shopping cart, forum, and much more. You can easily install the photo gallery application such as 4images, Coppermine, and Piwigo or choose a more popular platform such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal to create an online photo gallery. Click here to try for a penny.
• Weebly for simple website builder with beautiful templates. Nothing fancy but straightforward easy-to-use website creation tool. Click here to try for free.

The longer you wait, the higher the chances you will lose the name you want.
Go to Godaddy, Netfirms or Namecheap to purchase a domain name now.

Domain Name Suggestions

What do you do if the name you want is taken? Be creative. Change the word order. Use .net, .org, .name, & others. Try synonyms. Here are more ideas:

• Use names: www.PamelasPlace.com or www.CarlsCreek.com
• Small business owner name: www.PaulPlumbing.com or www.SamsPhotoStudio.com
• Incorporate a quirks: www.ScreaminSally.com
• Make a statement: www.ILoveLayla.com or www.BewareOfMichael.com
• Use nicknames: www.RockRhonda.com or www.ChefCarl.com
• Incorporate job: www.LilyaLawyer.com or www.DrDrewCarey.com
• Incorporate a persons interests: www.GolferGunter.com
• Name of pet: www.BuddysDad.com

Photo printing online is easy with Snapfish.

Snapfish is HP’s global digital photo printing service with over 90 million customers in 22 countries world-wide.

They can offer you quality prints of your digital photos and a wide range of personalised photo gifts. Additional prints are just 5p each with our pre-pay option (or 9p as standard) and you can turn your photos into stunning photo gifts from calendars and canvas prints to posters and photo books within minutes!

You can now claim your free printing credits by following these three simple steps:

1. Click here to sign up for a free Snapfish account, or login with your already created account.
2. Upload your photos. New customers receive FREE 6×4″ PHOTO PRINTING CREDITS which are valid for 60 days.
3. Print orders will be delivered straight to your door within 1 – 3 days.

It is easy to print photos for free these days. Just choose photos from these websites or upload from your PC or mobile phone:

50 free prints are 6″x4″ for new customers of Truprint.

Credits will be applied as soon as first photo is uploaded, and will expire after 60 days so hurry.

All coupon codes are one time use only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other Truprint promotion.

Truprint reserves the right to remove this offer at any time without prior notice.

Save 20% off Photo Gifts when you spend $15 at KodakGallery.com

Free Shipping on orders $30 Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/kodak-gallery-photo-gifts-and-free-shipping-offer-for-june/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/free-juno-baby-dvd-and-kodak-gallery-72-hour-sale/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/free-juno-baby-dvd-and-kodak-gallery-72-hour-sale/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:23:58 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=501

Here are some of the best offers from one of our favorite photo printing services.

Exclusive FREE offer of Juno Baby DVD with every purchase at Kodak Gallery + 40 Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/free-juno-baby-dvd-and-kodak-gallery-72-hour-sale/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/kodak-gallery-free-companion-airfare-with-50-purchase/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/kodak-gallery-free-companion-airfare-with-50-purchase/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:27:39 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=376

Spend $50 at Kodak Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/kodak-gallery-free-companion-airfare-with-50-purchase/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/mother%e2%80%99s-day-gifts-from-photobox/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/mother%e2%80%99s-day-gifts-from-photobox/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:10:19 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=362

It’s March, and the sun is shining…surely this mean it’s almost spring?!

PhotoBox officially launched their Mother’s Day shop; jam packed with great gifts ideas to make Mums smile.

Best selling products include: Photo Books, Framed Prints, Personalized Photo cards and Photo Mugs.

Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/mother%e2%80%99s-day-gifts-from-photobox/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-march-2011-promotions/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-march-2011-promotions/#comments Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:03:13 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=345

Excited to avail SeeHere.com latest batch of promotions for March 2011 photo printing services!?
Check out the newest offers from SeeHere.com and give yourself a chance to purchase a great photo gift!
Offers are vali Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-march-2011-promotions/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/photo-books-offer-free-delivery-for-half-term/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/photo-books-offer-free-delivery-for-half-term/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:57:33 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=315

It’s the last day in Feb (thank goodness!) and today is pay day for most people, so this means a BIG shopping weekend is upon us.

Check out Photobox latest offers and learn more about the wonderful world of Photo Booking…

Free Delivery when spend £10

• Offer code – HALFTERMRead more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/photo-books-offer-free-delivery-for-half-term/feed/ 0 http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-february-2011-promotions/ http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-february-2011-promotions/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:37:46 +0000 admin http://www.cheapestphotoprints.org/?p=279

  SeeHere.com is excited to launch their latest batch of promotions for February 2011! Check out the newest offers from SeeHere.com and give yourself the chance to purchase a great photo gift!

  Offers are valid through February 28, 2011.

  *Shipping not included. One usage per promo code. One per person, per household.

  Read more ...]]> http://www.canvasphotoprinting.org/seehere-february-2011-promotions/feed/ 0