Early Internet adopters remember when registering domain names was EASY and the cost was FREE.

Just a few years later, the Web invaded our lives like gangbusters, and registering a domain cost money. Still, there was only one place to register at the government-approved company known as Network Solutions.

There is good news in the fact that $70 still is the going rate for an annual fee, but times have changed. Network Solutions needed help and the government finally granted other organizations the same rights as the original provider had. The problem is that now, there is increased competition for domain names in terms of cost.

One provider, iDirections, has announced free domain registrations, but a price will be paid to those who use the free service. Sites must agree to run iDirections' recommended links for various content providers.

Companies who want to register domain names should investigate all the alternatives available before making a decision. Companies like iDirections may indeed be a good place to register if the Web owners are willing to follow the rules.