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Domain Name
Rip Off
Do you really own your domain
name or is it technically someone else's?
A domain name is something along
the lines of yourbusiness.co.uk or .com If you don't yet have
one for your business chances are you will in the future. But
purchasing and using one can be a minefield.
When you register a domain name
you have to go through an agent because every name/address
has to have an active IP address associated with it, it has
to point to a server somewhere.
There are a few options open
to you when you register a domain name. You could simply have
it parked for later use or if you currently have a web site
then you could go for a full hosting account and web server
space.
Either way you have to be careful
about what you are signing up to. Firstly you need to know
that the domain name will be registered in your name. An obvious
necessity you may think, but thousands of domain names have
been registered in the names of the registering agents and
not their clients.
If you currently have a .uk domain
registered then check here: http://nnh.co.uk/net/services/domain-search/index.html See
if you really own it. If the name stated is not your own then
gather the receipts together proving that you paid for this
registration, and contact the agent you used, demand this be
rectified. If they ask for payment refuse as this domain SHOULD
have been registered in your name in the first instance.
If in the future you had to prove
that this domain was owned by you, it could prove difficult.
Even the relevant domain registration body's (Network Solutions
.com - Nominet .uk) are unlikely to listen to your pleas for
help as YOU ARE NOT THE REGISTERED OWNER.
And if you consider the fact
that your chosen name may in the future be worth a considerable
amount of money, I recommend you check and rectify now.
Secondly, exactly what are the
costs for registration? A .com domain will cost you $70 USD
and a .UK £80 GBP +VAT for the first two years. There
may also be costs above this from the agent for processing
or hosting services.
Have you seen advertisements
for .uk domains at £9.99 or even free? Well it is possible
to obtain a domain cheaper than the governing registration
body fee. How is this possible? This is possible because the
agent is buying in bulk, e-paper work, so the charges from
the registration body are dramatically reduced.
Great you may think, but not
all may be rosy. Remember YOU GET NOTHING FOR NOTHING. The
Internet is not always the free lunch it is made out to be.
You will be tied into a contract
with the agent, as they will be your administrative contact
with the governing body. They will be invoiced and then they
will invoice you. Read the small print, exactly how much are
they going to charge for these services? Also remember your
domain has to be stored somewhere. You may be happy with their
hosting and support but if not, how much is it going to cost
you to move that domain name in the future.
Always read the small print and
then read it again! Thirdly, moving your domain name. As already
stated you may be happy but if not what is their attitude to
domain name moving. Will they be helpful and co-operative,
answer your e-mail requests will they answer the telephone
- some don't.
When you register a domain name
you will receive a certificate from the relevant domain registration
body. If not then you are cutting corners that could cost you
more in the end.
Three questions to ask:
1. Will the name be registered in my name?
2. What are the full costs and are there any hidden costs if I move the domain
name?
3. How easy is it to transfer the domain to another host and are they willing
to help with this?
About the teacher:
Publisher: http://nnh.co.uk
Copyright © NNH, nnh.co.uk
More articles like this and links to great Internet
resources can be found at: http://www.nnh.co.uk
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