domain registration may seem like something that only businesses would want to get involved with. But a personal domain name can also make a wonderful gift for a loved one.

Your domain name is your own little piece of real estate on the web. Using a free domain name from your internet service provider, or a hosting site like Geocities, can feel and look cheap, even if you're only using it for a personal site. A personal domain name can really improve the look of a website, whether for business or just to display family pictures or your own creativity.

One good option for a gift domain name is using your recipient's name. If they have an unusual name, there's a good choice you'll just be able to register their name as a .com domain. However, if they have a less unusual name, such as "John Smith", you may need to try some other options:

- johnsmith.net or johnsmith.co.uk – there are many alternative top-level domains, and if the website is not going to be used for business purposes, it matters much less which one you use.

- john.smith.name – .name domains make a great gift. What you actually register is a third-level domain under the surname second-level domain. If you register a .name domain, you can also use john@smith.name as your email address – easy to remember for friends and family, and very personalised.

- johnhenrysmith.com or johnhsmith.com – you can always try adding middle names or initials if the name you need isn't available.

- john-smith.com – you could try hyphenating the domain name.

- johnsmithmusic.com or johnsmithjournal.com – if you know what your recipient would like to use their website for, you could add a relevant keyword to the domain name.

A domain name can cost as little as £2.50 per year, and if you want, you can also buy hosting for as little as £3.00 per month. Many domain registrars, including DomainMonster.com, offer a free personal web page with every domain registered.

By Natalie Catchpole