Sorry, one more IT question - domains

Sorry, one more IT question - domains

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Hi

Sorry to pose yet another IT related question, but before I go looking for a suitable IT forum, I thought I'd run this by you guys first.  It's 3.55am and I can't be bothered to change this web page I left open on my pc.

I am all geared up now to setting up my practice but want to buy my domain name.  When looking on a domain name site, they mentioned about transferring domain names to them.  I wondered why?  Does it matter where the domain name is registered, eg which company sells me it?

So for instance, if I buy a domain name from, say, Domain Monster, can I still host my website with, say, BT or another website hosting co?

I've noticed that some companies sell their domain names much cheaper than others, but I thought these were all available to any.  So, if I wanted to buy InsomniacAccountant.com, .co.uk etc can I find it available on all the domain name sellers sites?  Does it matter at all?

thanks

Eve

Replies (11)

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By Figurate
01st Jul 2011 09:10

In theory...
you can buy your domain name from anyone and have it hosted by someone else.
But it depends on who you buy your domain name from - some make it easier than others to set up hosting elsewhere.
Some hosting services will offer a package deal or discount if you buy your domain name/transfer your domain name to them.
Also, beware of some domain name sellers charging high fees to transfer your domain name elsewhere.

It's probably worth shopping around a bit, to see if you can get a package or combination to suit you.

Louise

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By cverrier
01st Jul 2011 09:16

Nope - It doesn't matter

When you register your domain name, it all goes to the same place anyway.  There is a central registration body for the different top-level domains (For '.co.uk' there is an organisation called Nominet, for example).

When you register a domain, you go through a middleman called a 'Registrar' who then does all the techy stuff, including talking to Nominet and 'publishing' the new domain on the internet (DNS entries, etc).

You own the domain, so you are free to move it to a different registrar, and there are well established procedures for doing this that typically take no more than 24 hours to complete.

You are also free to select anybody to host your web-site, it doesn't have to be the registrar you've picked.  Once you have your web-site up and running, you then ask the registrar to point your domain to the web-site, and you'll be operational within a few hours.

There are lots of registrars, all offering different bells & whistles - you pays your money and takes your pick!

 

 

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By Richard Willis
01st Jul 2011 09:56

Try UK2.net

They will both sell you the name and host it for you.  I have used them for years; they are cheap but may not be the cheapest and I have NEVER had any problem with them.  They are based in London (beware of others which may be based abroad!).

I have no connection with them except as a client!

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By Eve 2206
01st Jul 2011 11:47

Thanks for your answers - I'll check out UK2.net and a few others.  I will be getting a techie person to build the web site so I'll ask him to take care of the stuff needed to get it hosted as well.

All this just goes over my head I'm afraid!!

cheers

Eve

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By mm01
01st Jul 2011 13:14

Try one.com

Simple and reasonably priced.  Used them for years and have had no problems.  You can buy the domain and hosting as a package.

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By paul.k2
01st Jul 2011 13:36

Don't get to hung up on this..

Hi Eve,

 I work in IT. The single most important thing is to secure the domain you want. UK2.net is a very good choice of company to do this. 1&1 are also very popular. I have used both. I tend to stick with 1&1 now, but it s more for convenience.

From memory UK2.net does not provide telephone support, but 1&1 do, though it is offshore.

I would ring your desgner and ask who they would like/need to host your website. If that company proivides registration services then I would reguister it with the same company.

Transfers are simple enough , but its just one more thing to do. As long as you stick with someone like UK2.net or 1&1, I am not sure the cost differences are that important in the grand schme of things.

If you are offered a choice, look at what other services the company will provide. For example 1&1 have some e-mail services etc that are useful for small start-ups.

One other suggestion, don't just register the .co.uk version of your name. Get the .com if you can. I would also consider slight differences in spelling.

e.g. I had a client called Acme. They registered acme.com and acme.co.uk. Another company regsitered acmes.com. Someone who did not watch what they were typing could end up on the wrong site. Both were in the same line of business, but in different jurisdictions. It caused some confusion, but they were legitimate businesses so no harm done. The same could not be said for acmes.co.uk.

In another case a software house registered a domain name very similar to their competitors, but when you clicked on it, it took you to the rival company.

Again I would not get too stressed about it, but for the sake of a few pounds, secure the domains closest to yours. Your desginer should be able to help you point them all to the one site. A bit like these guys. Regardless of which domain you use they all end up at www.jnwine.com

www.jnwine.com

www.jnwines.co.uk

www.jnwine.ie

Paul

www.kellysolutions.co.uk

 

 

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By Richard Willis
01st Jul 2011 15:43

A word of warning re Web Designers hosting

With UK2.net, as an example, it is very easy to manage your own site and domains.  If you DO allow your designer to arrange all that make VERY sure that their contract designates that the IP in the design belongs to you, AND that you can access the hosting portal and that they will not change the password.

I have seen many instances where owners have fallen out with their web design people, only to find that they either claim to own the design or otherwise will not hand over either the files or the access codes to the hosts.

Oh, and P.S., check out how much they will charge for amendments/updates!  Often, once the site is built, if you have access to the host amendments are simply a matter of adding, deleting, or altering script which can easily be done in house.  If they charge an extortionate amount per amendment do not go there!

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By Eve 2206
02nd Jul 2011 01:49

Great advice

Hi

Thanks for all the advice here - loads of stuff I just wouldn't have thought about.  All I need to do now is think of a name!! I've been trying for two months but someone always has it already.  And the point made about similar names is a great idea.  I considered at some point having a name similar to one already taken but then thought that if someone else already had it, I need something completely different.

So I will look at names eg the Acme example, and will purchase the .com, .co.uk, and the .co for mine and maybe a similar one or two.  If I go to 1&1 etc then the cost shouldn't be too horrific.

Thanks again

Eve

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By David160
03rd Jul 2011 17:19

Nominet

You can check the domain details for .uk, (others such as .us .com etc. are handled by others) at www.nominet.org.uk. Put the address (except www.) in the “who is” box on the right. Your company name should appear as registrant. Make sure your postal address is up to date, as you have to renew registration every few years, and they need an address to remind you. Registrars normally do this, but have been known to fail. If you, or the registrar, fail to renew on time anyone else can register it in their name and take over your right to use the address. The rules are on the nominet website.

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By David160
03rd Jul 2011 17:26

Copyright

Make sure that you have permission from the copyright holder to use any pictures or text you include in your website. It is not unknown for some website designers to take text or pictures without permission off the internet and put them into your website, telling you that they or you have permission. There are many websites which have pictures to sell, eg. Getty Images at http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/ There are others. If you do not have copyright permission the holder can sue you for damages, it does not matter that you hired a website designer, you have to pay damages as the pictures or text etc. were on your website. Getty Images are particularly sharp about protecting their copyright.

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By Kryton
06th Jul 2011 21:14

Registrar

I always recommend that companies purchase their own domain names - because then they are in total control of their domains and you tend to save a fortune. If your hosting company goes bust - they you can still change where your domain is. If your designer goes bust - you can still control your domain.

Trouble is, they are not really easy to understand. It is easy enough to register a domain - I always use fasthosts.co.uk and would recommend them based on: Comprehensive Interface, Automatic renewal of your domain name, Easy registration of multiple domain names (e.g. .co.uk, .co, .net.,com), free DNS service based in the UK (unlike 1and1), website and mail hosting if you want it (although I would not recommend it!)

As the list of features begins to suggest, the hosting of a domain is not simple, and unless you are confident looking into it, I would register the domain and then let your IT guru or web designer configure it! You can always change your password after they have done it.

One word of caution - just because your website designer can create a beautiful web design, doesn't mean they understand anything about domains! I have fixed many domain messes made by web designers. This is not true of them all I hasten to add, before I get abusive mail!

Kryton

www.selestial.com

 

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