Domain Names - Advice needed

[pauldm]

Hi,

I have an idea for a web based business that may take a little while to develop. However, I'm keen to get the domain name(s) registered soon so that I know I own them as and when I can move forward.

If I register the domain now but at a later date decide to use a different company's service for hosting, is it easy to transfer the name?

Also, does anyone have any recommended companies where I could register the domain (and potentially bolt on the hosting services later)

Many thanks

Paul

[crus]

Hi Paul,

you are thinnking along the right lines, you want to have the domains regged in your name, not on behalf of you by a hosting company. Ideally you register with a registrar where you can set dns and email settings then choose to take hosting services with that company or run hosting elsewhere.

Avoid like the plague any hosting company that you have to have the domain with!

[plug] http://reg.urlportfolio.com

D

[corrected spelling]

[i'm_not_a_farmer!]

Hi Paul

I've just done exactly that... It was very easy to transfer the hosting. I initially bought my domain name though www.telivo.com opted for a webmail hosting service so that I could start contacting suppliers etc with my email address.

I then transfered my hosting to the company that built my website with no hassle at all - they guided me through the process and it was easy peasey.

Although I havent used them myself, http://www.supanames.co.uk/ were recommended to me as a hosting company.

Hope this helps
John

[Alpha]

<<moved>>

[healthymedia]

You're right to grab your name as soon as you can. Some domain registration companies allow you to point your domain to a different hosting company for free, some charge and some just don't like doing it.

Personally, I use Easily (www.easily.co.uk) for registering domains, as you have complete control over the DNS and Name Server records, allowing you to host all, or part, of the site wherever you like. I don't have any personal connection with Easily, I've just ended up using them for about 20 clients now without any problems.

Hope this helps.

David

[pauldm]

Thanks for the advice. I'll get the name registered ASAP.

[4dhosting]

A lot of good advice in this thread :)

I'd agree that you should always get the domain registered in your own name and not the Hosting/Domain Registrar's - That way if something does happen you can go directly to Nominet/ICANN who can normally transfer it elsewhere.

Bit of a plug (But since others have already done it) we run a domain registration site at http://www.4dreg.com which allows you to register your own domains, have full control of them, use our free web/email forwarding, free DNS zone file hosting and optional 'ID Protect' services for hiding your data in the WHOIS output.

You can also add one of our hosting packages through the 4DREG site (Although you're not required to have the domain with us to use our hosting and you're not required to use our hosting if you register the domain through us).

/End Plug :)

[Astaroth]

Nothing really to add.... if you chose a decent domain registering service like those mentioned above or http://www.123-reg.co.uk then you can alter the details of where the domain points to with them and therefore if you choose to change webhost or such then you just make the alteration yourself and no need to "move" the domain itself.

[lyndonw]

Personally I never buy my domains from a hosting company and never move them to one either.

I would choose a domain registrar that allows you full control over your domain, including the ability to change the name servers.

Then when required, you simply configure your domain to use the hosting companies name servers.

Ive had a problem in the past where a host who was "holding" one of my domains disappeared and I lost the domain.

[crus]

I am glad to welcome Paul as a customer.

Thanks Paul.

Let me know if there is anything you need.

D