01 Sep 06

Controlling Your Domain Name

In Web Development

Following the painfully lengthy transfer of a client’s domain recently I’d like to offer one quick bit advice to anyone who is planning to start their first site: Make sure you have full control of the domain name. Before ordering a domain name ensure that the registrar has a control panel from which you are able to update contact details and nameservers whenever you wish. Never register a domain through a third party who you don’t fully trust. Would you give your car keys to a stranger? 

Example Scenarios

• Your current hosting plan runs out in two weeks and you opt to move the site elsewhere. If you can’t update the nameservers to point at your new web host then you will no longer be able to use your domain name.
• The domain expires because you were not set as the administrative contact therefore didn’t receive any of the renewal notices.

In the event that you lose a domain name then your brand will be severely damaged, any incoming links that your site had will stop working, you will likely have to move to a new domain name which search engines will not like one bit and, worst of all, all of your visitors will get the impression that you no longer exist.

You don’t need to be an expert (or even close to it) to register your domain and it only takes a minute or two to complete the ordering process, so I really cannot recommend it enough as it can save some serious headaches in the long run.

If you’re not sure which company to register your site with then a couple of the registrars I would recommend are Namecheap and eNom. Registerfly are one to avoid; don’t ask!

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