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Domain names disappear fast. That’s why so many people buy domain names before they’re ready to go live with a website. But domain names do not come with web hosts, so unless you have a website ready to upload when you buy your domain name, it won’t have anywhere to go. That’s where domain name parking comes in. Domain name parking allows anyone to reserve (or buy) a domain name for future use and have it redirected to a temporary web page.

Coming Soon Message
While you could simply leave your domain name alone, thus causing a “this page cannot be displayed” message when the domain name is typed into the address bar of your browser, having your domain name “parked” lets others know your website is a work in progress by displaying a “future home of” or “coming soon” message when the domain name is typed in the address bar.

Free Domain Name Placeholders
Some domain name registrars even allow parked domain name pages to be customized with a limited amount of web space and email features.

If your domain name registrar doesn’t give placeholders for the purpose of parking your domain name, you could do a search for "free domain name parking" and find a reputable place to temporarily park your domain name, or you could redirect your domain name to a free web host service like “geocities.com.” Then once your website is designed, you can upload it and have your domain name registrar point to your new website.

Paid Domain Name Parking
If you’ve just started toying with the idea of a website centered around your domain name, you could use a “paid domain name parking” service to make a little extra cash instead of letting your domain name sit dormant for the weeks and/or months it will take to research and build your website.

Basically, you buy a domain name and use a “paid domain name parking” service to host your domain name until you are ready to use it. The “paid domain name parking” service will use a program specifically developed to earn you revenue based on the performance or traffic of your website, or every time someone clicks on a link listed on your web page.

The important thing to keep in mind is the reason you bought the domain name in the first place. You don’t want to do anything that could jeopardize the future reputation of that website, so make sure you read the fine print carefully. Also make sure you fully understand that contract, including but not limited to, how long your domain name must be parked, when and how you’ll get paid, and how that website will be promoted.