In the June edition of PC World magazine they gave five ways to "maintain reign over your domain".  Who knew?  You figure you're ready to get your company website started... you purchase the domain name, hosting company and up, up and away you go... now what?

Apparently there are some shady registrars.  Did you know there are over 500 registrars competing for your business?  Many bundle site hosting, email, URL forwarding, etc.  Although these registrars are approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, some are not safe to use.

When I got my first domain name, I used RegisterFly... a teacher of mine suggested it.  I had nothing but problems with them constantly charging me after I renewed for 10 years... I finally moved it over to someone else.  LUCKY I DID!  Apparently, as PC World states, "RegisterFly was still offering its services online, eve thoug it permanently lost the domains of thousands of customers and was unable to process the domain transfer requests of other customers due to mismanagement by a former CEO."  GASP!!!

See other registrars here:  find.pcworld.com/56810

Some tips that were given were to 1) make sure that your name appears on the official WhoIs database record for your domain.  Untrustworthy registrars may sell you a domain but enters its own name in the domains database record.  I've seen this when working with clients and having to help them transfer over domains or hosting accounts.  It's quite scary to think that you have to keep a close eye on these companies.  2) Lock your domain.  Apparently a request must go through if the domain owner fails to respond to the request within 5 days.  Don't go on vacation!!!  Sheesh.  If anyone makes a request for your domain name to be transfered while you're away from home, say BYE-BYE company website.  Shifty registrars could hijack your domain...be careful.  3) Block squatters.  Dishonest registrars can use your search criteria, that is entered in when looking up to see if a domain name is available, for domain warehouses or domain kiting. 

In other words... USE REPUTABLE SITES when searching for a domain name and acquiring one!

ARTICLE BY:
ANNA DALEA
OWNER OF ERT WEBSITE SOLUTIONS

 

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