Your domain name is a prime asset of your business. While social media sites ebb and flow, your website domain and email accounts should be a key part of your brand; as important as name, physical locations and logo.
Who should own domain names?
At the risk of turning away business, we recommend that you should own your own domain names. As well as owning your own domain name you need to keep accurate records so you know where it is registered and renewal is being managed properly.
We do offer domain name registration and can advise on variations on domain names, search on your behalf and the best Top Level Domains (TLDs) such as .co.uk
Note: A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of a domain that comes after the dot, for example, com, org or net.
Where ownership lies does not affect greatly setting up associated web services such as web hosting, emails SSL certificates etc.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
As long as we can access the domain name control panel and edit various settings such as the Nameservers and DNS settings we can use our excellent web hosting services and email for your business.
Note: Nameservers are part of a large database called the Domain Name System (DNS), which acts like a directory for devices and the IP addresses attached to them. What nameservers do is use this information to translate domain names into numerical IP addresses – the language our computers understand.
Transferring in and out domain names
If you wish to move or claim a domain then that should be straightforward too. Most professional hosts shouldn’t have a problem with transferring domain names out as they would want full cooperation when claiming domains on their own or on a client’s behalf.
If you are in the UK, then transferring a .uk domain name is usually a simple case of changing the IPS tag of a domain name and the new owner transferring in the domain name. There normally shouldn’t be costs involved.
With other TLDs like .com then the process is a little more complicated. The current registrar needs to unlock the domain and generate an EPP code for the new registrar so they can transfer in the domain.
Note: An EPP code is an authorization key provided by your old registrar and required by your new registrar to complete a registration transfer for a domain name. You must contact the old registrar to obtain this.
Buying old domain names
Sometimes an old domain could be relevant to your business. There are various websites such as Sedo, Go Daddy Auctions and Expired Domains where you can buy old domain names.
As with any secondhand product, check the history and don’t overpay for domain names no matter how tempting they seem.
Useful tools and services
Nominet – is a non-profit organisation that looks after .uk domain names. They provide a telephone helpline and generally are very helpful – https://www.nominet.uk/
What’s my DNS – check the progress of where the domain is pointing including the A record, Nameservers etc – https://www.whatsmydns.net
Various Who Is services – just Google Who Is type in a domain name to check basic facts such as registrar, nameserver etc.
Get in touch with Dinesh on 07941 686113 if you need help on web design, web hosting, SEO services, domain names or email marketing.
