I found a domain hack using my name with a .ooo extension that I really like, but I'm worried that some company firewalls or security filters might block uncommon top-level domains. Could an employer have trouble viewing my portfolio, and are there any other drawbacks I should consider before using it?
4 Answers
It’s probably fine for the website itself, especially if the domain looks legitimate and is easy to understand. Most people will click a portfolio link rather than type it manually. You can also point the domain to hosting such as GitHub Pages or Vercel and add a more conventional domain later if you change your mind.
The bigger concern is usually email rather than the site. Some corporate mail systems and firewalls block or heavily filter uncommon extensions because they’re frequently used for spam or phishing. If you use the domain for contact forms or email, having a conventional backup address and portfolio link would be sensible.
A practical compromise is to use the .ooo address for the portfolio and keep a regular domain for email or any forms that employers need to access.
Newly registered domains can be blocked temporarily by security systems, sometimes for the first few weeks or while they appear parked. Register it well before you start applying, test it from different networks, and include another link to your work so visitors have a fallback.
I hadn’t considered newly registered domains being blocked. I’ll set it up early and test it from a few different connections.
Also check the renewal price carefully. Some unusual extensions have low introductory prices but become expensive after the first year or two. If the name is memorable and you really like it, use it, but make sure you’re comfortable with the long-term cost and consider owning a standard extension as insurance.
That’s reassuring. I like the domain hack, so I may use it initially and keep the option of adding a standard domain later.