Fad, think of Netfirms as one-stop shop for most common web hosting solutions new Internet users usually come across. They hope that if you buy a domain from them, you would also choose their hosting.

Not to mention that there is limitation to $4.95 pricing: "Pricing is $4.95 for first year. Domain will renew at $9.95 per year thereafter. Limit five $4.95 domain names per customer."

They will make the money on the next few years, plus if you buy hosting from them as well - they make the difference.

I can't recollect hearing a lot of bad reviews about Netfirms, so you might as well give them a chance - they are a good solution for very small sites (whether you want free or paid hosting).