When the domain name you love on .com is taken—or simply too expensive—a .info address can be a smart, budget-friendly way to claim your space online. Whether you’re starting a classroom resource hub, a family project site, or a growing business, choosing a memorable, trustworthy domain matters. Below, you’ll find an edited, archived version of Grafdom’s 2008 free .info domains offer, followed by an expert guide on when .info shines, how it affects SEO, and the exact steps to register and protect your brand today.
Grafdom’s 2008 Free .info Domains Offer — Archived and Edited for Clarity
Note: The promotion below ran in January 2008 and is no longer active. We’ve preserved the announcement for accuracy and historical context, with light edits for clarity and readability.
Web users seeking their ideal domain but disappointed by the unavailability of .com extensions have a free alternative for a limited time. Grafdom is offering .info domains at no charge for one year.
Dubai, January 15, 2008 — According to recent studies, web users are increasubsingly adopting .info domains as a viable addition or alternative to .com addresses. An industry report stated that nearly 81% of the world’s most valuable brands—including Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Mercedes—maintain .info addresses. Over 2 million .info domains have already been registered worldwide.
“We have continuously striven to offer clients the resources and tools they need to establish their web presence, and this initiative is another example of that commitment to service excellence,” said Alan Willendorf, Grafdom Regional Director, Domain & Hosting Division. “As the availability of .com domains diminishes, it is vital for us to offer enterprises, entrepreneurs, and individuals alternative channels for entering the online world and distinctly positioning their brand identity.”
“For those that already have a .com extension, it’s highly recommended to register the .info as well to avoid future conflicts of interest, as others can acquire it and challenge the brand’s authenticity. Now, at the beginning of a new year, is the perfect time to register with Grafdom, as it is free until January 25th!”
About Grafdom
Grafdom is strategically positioned to pioneer in the regional IT and web industry and build compelling synergies with business partners. It strives to spur innovative concepts in web modules, graphic design, and e‑commerce, and deliver service excellence in areas such as outsourcing, application development, network installation, and system integration. Grafdom has grown exponentially since its early days, adding 3D animation design and print media to its corporate services. The company empowers businesses to expand into seamless online platforms and fortify their brands globally.
- Press Contacts
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Tel: +971 4 345 2435
- Email: press@grafdom.com
- What a .info Domain Is—and When It’s a Smart Choice .info is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created for information-led websites. It’s open to everyone and often more available and affordable than .com. The extension can work especially well for:
- Resource hubs and knowledge bases (school handbooks, parent FAQs, student guides)
- Documentation or support sites separate from a primary .com
- Campaigns, events, and seasonal programs (admissions info, summer camps, festivals)
- Community projects and nonprofits aiming for clarity and trust
- Personal sites where “information-first” positioning fits the content
If your priority is universal familiarity and perceived commercial authority, .com still carries the strongest recognition. If clarity of purpose, availability, and budget lead the decision, .info can be an excellent fit.
.info vs. .com (and Others): Pros, Cons, and Fit
Advantages of .info
- High availability: Easier to find your exact name or a clean, memorable alternative.
- Clear intent: Signals “this is where to get information,” which can boost clicks for help content.
- Cost-effective: Often cheaper to register initially than premium or scarce .com options.
Potential Trade-offs
- User familiarity: Some audiences default to typing .com; plan redirects and reminders.
- Perception: In certain markets, .com feels more “commercial.” Counter this with strong branding and SSL.
- Portfolio management: If brand protection matters, you may buy multiple TLDs (.com, .info, local ccTLD).
When to pair .info with other TLDs
- Own .com for your primary site and .info for support/docs; interlink and differentiate purpose.
- Use .info for campaigns that need clear messaging, while your .com handles transactions.
- Secure both .com and .info to prevent confusion, typosquatting, or brand dilution.
SEO Reality Check: How Google Treats .info
Google evaluates pages—not domain extensions—when ranking. For generic TLDs like .info, the extension itself is not a direct ranking factor. What moves the needle is high-quality content, trustworthy links, strong user experience, and technical health (speed, mobile, HTTPS).
- Relevance and depth: Publish people-first, comprehensive content that matches search intent.
- Authority: Earn reputable links and citations; avoid link schemes regardless of TLD.
- Trust signals: Use SSL, clear navigation, transparent contacts, and accessible policies.
- Technical SEO: Fast loading, clean internal linking, structured data where appropriate.
Bottom line: A well-built .info can rank as strongly as a .com when the content and experience deserve it.
How to Register a .info Domain Today: Step-by-Step
- Search availability. Brainstorm 3–5 names. Check availability with reputable registrars. Favor short, pronounceable names without tricky hyphens.
- Compare true costs. Review first-year price, renewal price, ICANN fees, privacy protection, and any “free” add-ons that turn into paid renewals.
- Confirm ownership terms. Ensure you’re the registrant, not the registrar or a third party. Read transfer policies and redemption fees.
- Add privacy protection. Enable WHOIS privacy to hide personal contact details where allowed.
- Secure the name. Complete purchase with auto-renew enabled and a strong account password + two-factor authentication.
- Set nameservers and DNS. Point to your host or DNS provider. Create A/AAAA records, CNAME (www), and TXT records (SPF/DMARC) for email deliverability.
- Enable HTTPS. Install an SSL certificate (many hosts provide Let’s Encrypt). Redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
- Create smart redirects. If .info is secondary, 301-redirect it to your primary site or a distinct information hub. Avoid chains and loops.
- Publish helpful content fast. A simple, well-structured landing page beats a “coming soon” page. Add contact info and a clear purpose statement.
- Calendar renewals. Note renewal dates, especially if you manage multiple TLDs. Don’t rely solely on email reminders.
Brand Protection Playbook for Families, Schools, and Small Businesses
- Register the core set: yourbrand.com, yourbrand.info, and your local country code (if relevant).
- Redirect extras to the primary site or dedicated info pages to avoid duplicate content.
- Consider common misspellings or hyphenated variants only if you realistically face confusion or abuse.
- Document ownership: Keep registrant email access current and centralized for your organization.
- Monitor misuse: Set up basic alerts for brand mentions and domain lookalikes; act early to prevent harm.
- Trademark where appropriate: If you operate beyond a hobby or class project, consider formal protection and clear brand guidelines.
Before You Claim a “Free Domain” Offer: Read the Fine Print
Free can be great—but terms vary. Protect your budget and your name with this quick checklist:
- Ownership: You must be listed as the registrant with the right to transfer after any promo period.
- Renewal price: The first year may be free; years 2+ can jump. Compare renewal rates across registrars.
- Bundled hosting or email: Make sure you can keep the domain even if you cancel other services.
- Transfer lock and fees: Check if transfers are restricted or come with steep redemption/restore fees.
- Privacy and data: Confirm WHOIS privacy availability and how your data is used for marketing.
- Cancellation policy: Understand refund windows and what happens if billing fails.
Smart Ways to Use a .info Right Now
School or program hub
Create an easy-to-share address for admissions information, calendars, parent guides, and event FAQs. Keep it updated and mobile-friendly.
- Highlights: One-stop info, printable forms, contact directory
- Tip: Use simple, consistent navigation labels families recognize.
Support and documentation
Separate help articles, tutorials, and policies from your marketing site. This improves clarity and lets you tailor SEO to problem-solving queries.
- Highlights: Searchable guides, how-to videos, feedback form
- Tip: Add schema for FAQs to earn rich results where appropriate.
Campaigns and community initiatives
For fundraisers, festivals, or seasonal programs, a campaignname.info URL is memorable and purpose-driven.
- Highlights: Clear dates, maps, volunteer sign-ups
- Tip: Redirect to your main site after the campaign to preserve link equity.
Practical SEO and Content Tips for Your .info
- Write for humans first: Clear headlines, scannable sections, and plain-language answers.
- Cover the topic completely: Anticipate questions and add visuals, checklists, and examples.
- Keep pages fast: Compress images, limit heavy scripts, and use caching/CDN.
- Earn links naturally: Publish resources others want to cite: guides, datasets, templates.
- Maintain trust: Prominent contact info, accessible policies, and HTTPS on every page.
Summary
.info remains a flexible, credible domain extension—especially for information-led sites, documentation, and campaigns. While Grafdom’s 2008 free .info offer has ended, the strategic reasons to consider .info have only expanded: better availability, budget-friendly pricing, and a clear signal of purpose. With thoughtful SEO, strong content, and smart brand protection, your .info can become a trustworthy destination for families, students, and customers alike.
