Nombray lets you cybersquat your online identity

Nombray is a new site that lets you buy vanity domains for your name. The service is aimed at people with very little experience setting up a Web site, letting them "squat" the page while funneling any traffic to third-party services they're already using.

On Nombray's home page, you simply type in your first and last name, and the site will search to see which coordinating domains have been taken and which are still available. From there, you're able to claim available domains for $20 a pop, which gets you a free year of hosting and a page designer with which you can link to various social-networking profiles, such as those for Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. These sites, along with any other URLs you plug in, will show up like tabs on the top of the page, and visitors can simply click on them to flip between profiles while the Nombray navigation frame remains.

If you've already purchased a domain through another service (like GoDaddy or Domain.com) you can simply link up to it and have Nombray host the page for $10 a year. This offers a little less than a service like WordPress Premium, which charges $15 a year for custom domain registration and hosting (along with a pretty swell blogging platform). I do, however, like that Nombray keeps a frame on the top of the page so your visitors can quickly toggle between activities--it's a nice touch.

Nombray hosts a page for users with top links to their various social-networking profiles, blogs, or Web sites. It also searches the Web to show if domains using their name are available.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

[ccccarter]

Nothing but marketing. Essentially it's just rebranding the sale of domain services.

[ChrisLunt]

On the contrary. I started the company because I wanted to manage my personal brand as part of starting a new company. I looked around to see what the best people did, and I'm building out a service that uses all of those best practices. The domain name is just part of it, and as you can see, we offer the service for $10/year if you already own your domain.

[EnriqueAllen]

ccccarter, you're right that Nombray helps individuals market themselves better online. Let's face it: your first impression is made on the web for more people than ever before. Many people don't have the time or skills to set up their own website and/or their identity is scattered around communities like Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, blogs...

When buy a domain from GoDaddy et al, do they provide you with a web presence you are proud of? NO. They offer you a free page full of ads that you still have to customize. Nombray at least will give you a site you can refer someone to and improves your page rank over time.

[EnriqueAllen]

Meant to say "When you buy a domain..." but cnet won't let me edit lol

[andrewcsfan]

Is it too popular, not able to open the page. May have to try later

[ChrisLunt]

We also got mentioned on Lifehacker, and we were flooded. We beefed up our environment and I invite you to drop by.

[JeanAnnVK]

I am wondering what the difference is between this and something like Chi.mp. They offer a free domain and website that can contain as much or as little of your online activity as you like.