Should domain be in my name

[Impressive Creations]

I paid a small company to create 2 websites for me, they turned out to be very poor. I have had a new website created and when the designer went to change some details he found the domains are registered to that company and not myself. I have asked on several occasions to have them transferred to my name but some months later they are still registered to him. What is the normal procedure when companies create websites surely they should be registered in the business owners name. Besides trading standards is there anything else I can do, I want to change my host in the near future but can't do so until the domains are in my name.

I would appreciate any advice

 

[Moneyman]

keep pestering. you can go down a long legal process but unless you owe him money or he is a scam artist he should release it.

just be a pain till he gets round to it. get hosting sorted so he has somewhere to send it. otherwise it will just be in limbo.

 

[crossdaz]

I paid a small company to create 2 websites for me, they turned out to be very poor. I have had a new website created and when the designer went to change some details he found the domains are registered to that company and not myself. I have asked on several occasions to have them transferred to my name but some months later they are still registered to him. What is the normal procedure when companies create websites surely they should be registered in the business owners name. Besides trading standards is there anything else I can do, I want to change my host in the near future but can't do so until the domains are in my name.

I would appreciate any advice

You can contact nominet if it's a UK domain. I'm not sure there is a simple solution though and I'm not sure you have any rights to the domain. If it's your trading name and company name you should be able to drs the domain but it will cost you.

Obviously this guy has you over a barrel at the moment so I'd take precautions such as thinking about starting with a new domain. It's not ideal, I know, but might be your best move?

Are there any variations available such as a hyphenated version a .com or .org.uk?

 

[Impressive Creations]

When he created the site it was part of set up costs he allowed me 3 domain names in with the price. It's a bit frustrating as I just want to end any business relationship with them.

 

[mke]

The answer to your question depends upon the answer to other questions:

What is the tld of your domain(s)? e.g. .co.uk .com .biz .de .eu etc. If it's a .uk NominetUK is always on your side, not on the side of the host or tag holder.

Usually you can depend upon the terms and conditions of the registrar to help you. Most tlds have a single registrar and you can refer to their terms.

However ICANN has authorised several .com registrars so you have to find out which is the responsible registrar for your domain and read their terms.

Either post with specific details or PM me and I'll try to help. By the way, administering domains is not worth the hasle unless you're dealing with loads of them or unless there is other paying business attached. I'm not looking for domain business.

 

[mke]

false post. Mods please delete.

 

[MH-Nick]

If it's a .uk NominetUK is always on your side, not on the side of the host or tag holder.

I wouldn't agree with that. Organisations like Nominet (.uk domains) and ICANN (.com .org etc.. domains) have strict rules to abide by and don't have time to fight battles for every domain dispute like this. End of the day, the domain is legally registered to someone else and you're claiming it as your own. Sorry to be so negative, but as others have suggested, your best bet is to keep pressuring your designer to release it.

 

[Dwebs-Ltd]

I wouldn't agree with that. Organisations like Nominet (.uk domains) and ICANN (.com .org etc.. domains) have strict rules to abide by and don't have time to fight battles for every domain dispute like this. End of the day, the domain is legally registered to someone else and you're claiming it as your own. Sorry to be so negative, but as others have suggested, your best bet is to keep pressuring your designer to release it.

If it is a .uk and you have proof of payment / ownership nominet will transfer it to you and change the registrant info. The only issue is the company / individual who requests the change is legally responsible for the request.

 

[J-Wholesale]

This is a prime example of how every business with any kind of online presence needs to have at the very least a basic understanding of how websites work: what a domain name is, and the relationship between a domain name and your website/hosting company/development company.

Registering your domain name is not and should never be the responsibility of a web design company. That would be like a decorator handling the renting or purchasing of the premises alongside the painting and refurbishment.

 

[Impressive Creations]

I have very limited pc knowledge and relied totally on him, the main site that I use is registered to him at his address the second is registered to him at my address. They are both .co.uk

Thanks for all the replies to date

 

[WordPress Web Designers]

I agree with j-wholesale on this.

However you should approach Nominet (assuming it's a .co.uk) and see where you get. It'll cost £10 to change the registrant name. Here is the page on the nominet website that makes it clear what the rules are.

I wrote a blog post about this and related problems recently. One thing I'd say is if the sites are not much good anyway - are you very attached to the domain names? You could just start again with some new ones if this proves to be a problem to resolve. The sites won't have any value in as much as traffic or subscribers possibly?

Here's my blog post - it goes into other issues that tend to accompany this sort of experience. Hope it helps.

Liz

 

[crossdaz]

I agree with j-wholesale on this.

However you should approach Nominet (assuming it's a .co.uk) and see where you get. It'll cost £10 to change the registrant name. Here is the page on the nominet website that makes it clear what the rules are.

Can I change amazon.co.uk to my name for £10 then?

 

[WordPress Web Designers]

No - don't be silly.

I meant that in conjunction with reading the entire page of the link to Nominet that I gave. If there is a dispute it costs £10 to start the process of change with Nominet - no guarantees whatsoever. You have to read their FAQ, as I've tried to point out.

Sorry my language was so imprecise you felt you had to make that comment. I apologise.

Liz

 

[crossdaz]

No - don't be silly.

He doesn't have any control over the domain and the guy who does has no incentive to cooperate. Hopefully the other guy might just let it drop but if he doesn't you are looking at £750 minimum. Even then there is no guarantee of success.

The best route is to take the other variations and start using one of them. That's if they are still there

 

[WordPress Web Designers]

The point is he needs to educate himself.

As I said in my original reposnse, one way out if the domain registrant is unwilling to co-operate is to forget the domain names and start again. But this time do it with this experience behind him. Everyone makes mistakes. No big deal. Move on.

 

[crossdaz]

The point is he needs to educate himself.

As I said in my original reposnse, one way out if the domain registrant is unwilling to co-operate is to forget the domain names and start again. But this time do it with this experience behind him. Everyone makes mistakes. No big deal. Move on.

I agree with you on that point - let's hope someone takes notice?

 

[Lee_Owen]

Get in touch with nominet, your first port of call. Contact web designer and inform him there was a mistake when he regged the names and that they should be in your name, upon realising their mistake they can be transferred for £10 plus vat, supply contract details etc. the other option if non compliant is to offer cash incentive, i.e. buy them off him.

Other than that, there is Nominet drs, if you feel you have rights to the name, in this case in my view you do, then you can pay £250 for quick decision if they fail to reply or £750 if they do reply. Alternatively you can also complain to Nominet if they are a tag holder/registrar, see registrar list on their site, that may get you somewhere and at no cost.