.co.uk domain - privacy concerns

[James Fabian]

Hi Guys,

I would like to start a UK based e-commerce business and would much prefer a .co.uk domain name as 1) more domain name availability 2) my site will rank better in UK Google results.

When registering a UK domain, it is a Nominet requirement to provide real details and allow your WHOIS information to be publicly visible if you are conducting any kind of commercial/money making business.

Now, I really do want a .co.uk, and although I have absolutely zero issue with Nominet having my real details, I would prefer that not any tom, dick or harry can whois my site and find out where I live/who i am.

Now I'll pre-empt and answer the question that's coming - I have nothing to hide. However just as I would not walk up to every random stranger in the street and tell them all my personal details, I do not wish to do this online either.

The other reason is because I do not want nosy friends/family/colleagues googling me and finding out about my other business (which they will be able to do if all my details are shown in whois information).

What can I do to have a .co.uk domain and remain anonymous to the general public? Again, I have no problem with Nominet/the law/government per se knowing of my real details, I would just prefer for certain people in my life to not know anything about it.

Any constructive advice would be much appreciated so i can finally get this ball rolling

Thanks

 

[wayzgoose]

So you're not going to put your contact details on your web site?

 

[James Fabian]

Of course. I will have a contact form, with different drop down menus to describe the nature of the query and it will be sent to an e-mail address like contact AT domainname.co.uk or customerservice AT domainname.co.uk.

The product I plan on selling isn't a complicated one that requires people to contact and ask loads of questions. However, yes, people will be able to easily contact me - i just do not wish to give out personal contact details for all the reasons stated in my first post.

 

[JamieM]

Just opt out of whois when you register the domain. You aren't supposed to as a trading business but you won't be the first and you won't be the last.

Alternatively use a virtual office address.

 

[finleydesign]

As above have said that is the whole point, if you are conducting business and you expect people to pay you money, you can't hide your details, thats the whole reason it was brought in

 

[arnydnxluk]

Don't opt out, someone will simply report the domain in future and your details will be revealed. The correct solution here is to use a virtual office address for your business which will forward any mail onto you and in some cases even allow you to use their offices for meetings.

 

[Alan]

You can use domain privacy. Some registrars charge a small amount for this.

 

[Raw Rob]

You need to put your address on your website. So, as mentioned, some kind of virtual office address might be suitable for you.

From http://www.out-law.com/page-7594

The following is the minimum information that must be on any company's website (from OUT-LAW's guide, The UK's E-commerce Regulations).

• The name, geographic address and email address of the service provider. The name of the organisation with which the customer is contracting must be given. This might differ from the trading name. Any such difference should be explained – e.g. "XYZ.com is the trading name of XYZ Enterprises Limited."

It is not sufficient to include a 'contact us' form without also providing an email address and geographic address somewhere easily accessible on the site. A PO Box is unlikely to suffice as a geographic address; but a registered office address would. If the business is a company, the registered office address must be included.

 

[ABCV]

This is very possible, you can use WHOIS protection. This should work with .UK domains and many registrars allow this now.

 

[Ian J]

This is very possible, you can use WHOIS protection. This should work with .UK domains and many registrars allow this now.

Not according to Nominet as only non trading individuals are allowed to opt out (I've just checked).

If I wish to buy something from a website that isn't a well known brand I always check it out with Nominet and if the address is withheld I will always a) not buy and b) report it to Nominet.

I would also not buy from any website that appears to be using an accommodationaddress as I work on the basis that if the company is trying to hide something I won't trust them with my money

 

[arnydnxluk]

I would also not buy from any website that appears to be using an accommodationaddress as I work on the basis that if the company is trying to hide something I won't trust them with my money

I'm personally happy to deal with any business using a virtual office address, it's pretty common. For those who like to do their research, we have other ways to determine if a business can be trusted, such as its reputation and age. I don't see why someone who operates their business from home should have to give up their privacy and put their family at any kind of potential risk.

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

and put their family at any kind of potential risk.

Like what?

 

[fisicx]

I don't see why someone who operates their business from home should have to give up their privacy and put their family at any kind of potential risk.

Like Scott said, what potential risk?

 

[Ian J]

Like what?

A machete wielding madman who selects his victims from Nominet

 

[ZeroDouble]

I'm personally happy to deal with any business using a virtual office address, it's pretty common. For those who like to do their research, we have other ways to determine if a business can be trusted, such as its reputation and age. I don't see why someone who operates their business from home should have to give up their privacy and put their family at any kind of potential risk.

Have to agree with this, I can't think of a single good reason to have your home address associated with any business you run - online or offline. With so many other options available to you, I just can't see the logic in doing so.

 

[Newchodge]

I would never do business with an organisation/individual that I could not identify.

The law requires that limited companies show their registered number and registered address on all media, including the website.

It also requires that sole traders/partnerships show their actual, as opposed to trading, name and business address.

If those aren't present you won't get much business.

 

[paulears]

No good getting upset by the address issue - right or wrong, lots of people will not buy from people they cannot be sure of, while others don't care. Having my address isn't an issue for me and while our kind of business doesn't appeal to domestic consumers having our address visible hasn't ever caused any grief.

It's down to trust isn't it. You don't trust the public to know where you are, but expect them to trust you with their money? You know their details, but they don't know yours? isn't that a bit unbalanced?

Of course if you are selling diamonds, and keep loads in stock, security could be a valid reason. I note plenty of companies use their accountants address.

 

[ABCV]

@Ian J you may not be aware but WHOIS privacy service is now allowed on .UK domains, note this is different than WHOIS Opt-Out. I beleive this has been avilable since the beginning of 2016, however not many registrars are offering this just yet. For more information and/or confirmation please search for "Privacy Service Framework". As I said this is still a relatively new feature and many registrars are yet to capitalise on this.

 

[Newchodge]

The issue is not about WHOIS, whatever the OP thinks. The issue is about breaching UK trading standards by failing to advertise your proper name and address on your website.

 

[ABCV]

The issue is not about WHOIS, whatever the OP thinks. The issue is about breaching UK trading standards by failing to advertise your proper name and address on your website.

Well I personally don't mind if a domain WHOIS privacy protection is enabled as long as the company's address is mentioned on the website. In fact, many insurance providers / review sites and other accreditation authority(ies) require full address posted on a website as a legal requirement, note that this does not include WHOIS information.

However I understand the argument "why do they want to hide behind a proxy?"

 

[FrontierMan]

If you are going to take payment by Credit/Debit cards, other than by PayPal, then WorldPay or whoever you are going to use will insist that your Registered Address appears on your website

 

[Bradley Holmes]

Part of the appeal of a .uk based name is that there is a level of trust built into the system.
If I see a business running under a .co.uk, I know Nominet has done some basic verification of the domain owner,
I think that trust is part of the reason UK consumers prefer to deal with websites that are running .co.uks.

As others have said its perfectly fine to use a virtual office address.
You can also use your solicitor´s or accountant´s address as long as you are contactable via that address.