Register Your Own Domain – ALWAYS!

For those that are new to the web, internet, websites etc. it can be indeed overwhelming and confusing.

Information overload. What do you believe and what to discard as rubbish?

One of those very important scenarios is Domain Registration. Many hosting sites, webmasters, web designers offer registering the domain for you, or provide free domains when you host your site with them.

My honest opinion; don’t let anyone register the domain under their name or company name, not even your best friend. If you wish to register a domain do so under your own name or under your company name, and if you are having someone design a site for you and they have included domain registration as part of the package; kindly have them do so under your or your company name not under theirs.

I have known cases where webmasters and designers have caused heartache and frustration to individuals by registering domains under their names and not been around to renew them, causing the actual owners to lose the domain name. In a specific case the web designing company actually held their client at a ransom when they decide to go elsewhere by billing them huge amount for the domain name. Unfortunately they had no choice and had to pay up for fear of losing the domain.

I am not saying that all of them are unscrupulous or have bad intention, but things happen in life. What if the individual passed away or the company closed down, what happens to your domain name? So my firm advise is to register you own domain, if you don’t know how then visit Register Your Domains and Get Cheap Hosting.

You also have situations where hosting companies will give free domains if you host with them. Here again, I am of the firm belief that you should pay for your domain registration, even if you have to register elsewhere and host with them. If you honestly feel that you are getting a fair deal from them, then please get it in writing that the domain is registered under your name, in fact make sure that you have documents that indicate that it is so. Ensure that you are the one that is registering the domain and not their company. Also, find out what happens if you decide to leave them and host with another company after your term is up,; do you get to take your domain with you or do you have to pay for it? Some companies give you a free domain at the onset when you host with them, but when you decide to leave they will charge you a nominal fee for the domain name. So in reality you are not getting a free domain, it is only free for as long as you stay hosted with them. The moment you leave they will charge you, so find out what that charge will be before you sign up.

If you were to start a new business would you go to your local government and have your friend or another company register your business under their names? No, of course you would not. Cause you know what the implications can be. It is the same with Domain Registration; it belongs to you and don’t let anyone take it away from you.

Here it is in short; Always Register Your Own Domains, if you are given a free domain by a hosting company make sure it is registered under your name and what is the cost if any when you leave them.

You have been warned!