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Chapter 4 - Domain

Ah the Domain Name. Having your own domain name is a sign of professionalism and class on the Internet.

Getting your own domain name is VERY easy. It's MANAGING that domain name and not getting TRICKED by renewal letters in the mail that's the toughy.

Most hosting providers provide you with a FREE domain name registration for ONE-year if you purchase a hosting package with them.

Domain Name Registration

Domain Name Registration is like a car registration -> You have to renew it every year. The prices for the registration ranges from $5 a year to $25 a year. Why the difference?? It comes down to how much control you have over your domain name.

I prefer having COMPLETE control over my domain name. I like to have access to the control panel to update my name and address when necessary. I like have the ability to "point" my nameservers to whoever I'm currently hosting with. (namesevers are covered below)

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Domain Name Control

I am very protective and possessive over my domain name. But I have 5 domains I own and I protect them like they are my babies. I would be devestated if someone took over my domain name if I forgot to renew it.

You know you have control over your domain name if you get a username and password into your domain account. In that control panel, you should be able to:

1) update your name,
2) update your contact information,
3) renew your registration, and
4) edit the nameserver (hosting provider IP).

If you don't have access to any of above information for your domain name registration, you should seriously consider changing the company that's holding your domain name registration.

I've always used Tera-Byte.com as my domain name registration management company. Sure the renewal fee is around $12 a year, but having absolute control and access to my domain names is worth the investment.

Now Tera-Byte.com is NOT where my domain name is TRULY registered. They are simply the 3rd party that gives me access to my registration. (Tera-Byte.com helps me manage my domain registrations.) Tera-Byte.com reports all domain name registrations to the registrar named TUCOWS, who in return reports it the the WHOIS Database of domain registrations.

Just know that in the long run, if you're registration is inside the WHOIS Database you're set. And if YOU have CONTROL over your domain registration, then you're REALLY set! ^_^

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Other Domain Registration Companies

What happens if you used Insiderhosting or DreamHost's domain name registration process?? Well then you will have to find out how to get access to your domain registration control panel.

Before you make any purchases, you should always make sure to contact the sales desk and ask ALL the questions you have before buying.

You should ask WHO really has control of you domain registration. And if you need to make changes to your domain registration, HOW can you go about doing it.

If they tell you that you have to email them the changes that you need, you should definitely think twice. This happened to me one time when I went to a $5/year deal. It was cheap, but I almost lost my domain registration because it expired and I no way to pay to renew except through them. Of course, I quickly paid and renewed but because it was a manuel process, the person who was supposed to have reported it to the WHOIS database didn't say that I paid.

A few months later, I MOVED my registration to Tera-Byte.com and that's when they notified me that my registration was still expired. I emailed the previous company to ask them why my registration didn't update, and they gave me the cold shoulder saying that they no longer had any of my information because I wasn't their client. So you can imagine the position I was stuck in. The previous company was so cold that they threatend to sue me for defamation if I complained about their poor customer service!!!

So be REALLY careful about who controls your domain name registration.

If they don't allow you to have control of your own registration control, then you should think twice before going with that company. Remember, you get what you pay for.

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Editing the nameservers????

Yes, this is important. Domain registration is one part of the equation to owning your own website. The second part is your hosting provider package.

If you look up Designcove.com in the WHOIS Database, you will see:

Domain Name: DESIGNCOVE.COM
Registrar: TUCOWS INC.
Name Server: NS1.DREAMHOST.COM

The name server tells you who is the hosting provider for Designcove.com. Currently it's with DreamHost. You should always have full control over the name server of your website. This way you can switch hosting companies whenever you like without having to worry about who controls your domain registration. ~_^

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Domain Registration Scams!!

Just like every aspect of life, someone is always out to scam you if you don't watch your back. I've gotten plenty of letters in the main from "domain registration companies" warning me that my domain registration is going to expire if I don't QUICKLY renew it through them.

DON'T FALL FOR THOSE EVIL TRICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those letters in the mail usually charges $25 to $50 for a easy and simple domain registration renewal. Which is a RIP OFF! But the worst part is still yet to come. If you actually send them the check and they renew it, THEY will have control of your domain name! Basically in order for them to renew your domain registration, you will have to transfer full control to their company.

So be careful and don't fall for those scams. If you are happy with your current company, there's no point in transferring control to an unknown company.

Plus do you really want to do business with a company that's willing to stoop to deception to get your business?? Why renew a domain registration when it's not time yet?

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If you are STILL reading, then you are ready to DESIGN your website!

Next Chapter -> Chapter 5 "Printing"

Lasted Updated: April 24, 2007