Domain vs Hosting?

[ODHA]

I just finished the book and have an idea that I want to run with. With that said, I want to register a Domain name but am not ready to set up a site yet. I understand that the hosting can be different from the company that you register with.

Question:
1) Should I just register with someone like Domains in Seconds or GoDaddy then worry about hosting when I am ready? Eventhough they offer hosting as part of the registration package.

2) How do I go about moving the Domain to a host if I decide to use a different company from the one I registered with. Are there any fees that I need to look out for when I go to do this?

3) Would it be a good idea to register both the .com and .net versions. Are any of the other .??? worth grabbing also? [Located in the US so the country specific ones don't apply]

Thanks in advance for the input.

[TimW]

I've registered the .com and .net versions of all my websites. I see no need for .info, .tv, etc. Waste of time, IMO.

Register them now, worry about hosting later.

"Moving" the domain to another registrar can be a PITA. What I think you're discussing is merely where the DNS (Domain Name Server) points. So, yes, GoDaddy can be the "registrar" of a company when it's hosted elsewhere (which is exactly what I do).

[webgal]

Don't host with godaddy. There are better hosts.

[Ali]

Why don't you want to get hosting in the deal? Getting an all in one package is much less hassle, especially if you don't come from a technical background.

I've been using bluehost (http://www.bluehost.com/track/najafali/forum) for about three years and I've rarely had problems with them. Their support have always been helpful and polite, even when it was me that made the foulup!

[webgal]

Why don't you want to get hosting in the deal? Getting an all in one package is much less hassle, especially if you don't come from a technical background.

I've been using bluehost for about three years and I've rarely had problems with them. Their support have always been helpful and polite, even when it was me that made the foulup!

I've not used blue host but am about to do a WP website for a client and I like their one-button WP updates. Thanks for that endorsement, Ali. And I always rather get the package. I hate when you have to keep up with two expiration dates on the same site. Multiply that times 10 and you have a nightmare to keep up with.

[Mike Rhodes]

@ODHA
there are some smart comments here & worth listening to
webgal is right when she says not GoDaddy
(if you're already stuck with godaddy (http://websavvy.com.au/moving-domains-from-godaddy-%E2%80%93-cheatsheet/) them maybe this will help)

I'd also agree that getting a package is the way to go if this is your first online foray. I've not used BlueHost, but I'd also prefer to follow a recommendation from a fellow 4HWWer than finding one on Google!

I've got a few domains so I use HostingZoom - up to 50 domains for $5 a month. But there is a learning curve - be warned.

As always the Golden Rule is to only do the bits of the puzzle that you excel at & outsource the rest. You really can't beat hiring experts - especially early on - and concentrating on the parts that only you can do.
I got a huge smack-in-the-head moment the other day... spent 2 hours creating a (very gorgeous!) graphic for a site.... why!!! coz I was feeling cheap. WRONG!
Head over to rentacoder, elance, guru or getafreelancer (excellent) and have it done in 1-2 days for $10-20
really... it's a no-brainer.
sorry - end of rant

Oh - last one.
A surprising number of people I've talked to via this forum have never heard of Seth Godin. Please do yourself a favour & read his blog, buy his books, listen to his books - whatever works for you. He really is the absolute best marketer for the 21st century & it all pretty much boils down to marketing when you think about it.
So on the subject of 'being the best in the world' (or not) here's a good place to start reading Seth: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/the_dip/2007/04/the_seven_reaso.html

Enjoy!
Mike

[webgal]

Mike is right about that clause in the godaddy contract that prevents you from moving it if you've made a change in the last __ days. That stinks. I've used over 20 hosts and godaddy is by far the worst. It offers virtually nothing in comparison with the ones I use. Stats are terrible, you have to login for every little thing and they always throw in your face new things to buy while you struggle to find the things that you have already bought.

I_Job. I don't mean to be rude and if you're used to them and like them then go with it. But I can't stand them and cringe when a client has an account there because it's always a nightmare.

[chop]

I'll throw out a recommendation for Media Temple. I bounced around with 3 or 4 different one in the early 2000s when I had my web des. biz...I found MT at the end and have been using them since for my sites, one of which is ecommerce.....tech support that doesn't sleep and can always be talked to in person.

When starting new sites these days, I buy and host with Media Temple.

[JFrenzel]

Sweet,
Thanks for the recomm. I just got them a few days ago for my personal blog. It is actually whom Tim uses. He has a virtual dedicated server.

Jose

[kamakiri]

I have seen a few people say don't use godaddy here no, Why? They seem to be esy to use and I have never had a problem in the past with them. Did you guys have any real reasons not to use them?

[webgal]

Well, I have used over 19 hosts. I also just purchased a dedicated server for a client. So I'm not on a maiden voyage here.

GoDaddy is far the very worst. With a basic package of the hosts I use now, I have ONE login, fantastico deluxe, cPanel (godaddy doesn't have cpanel), lots of MYSQL databases, email accounts that are EASY to set up, great tech support and if I want to move my site today, I can do so. I moved one from GoDaddy and by God it required an act of God. And you have to wait said number of days to do it.

There are simply so many features I get elsewhere as part of the package that godaddy does not offer.

I'll leave it at that. The list goes on.

[webgal]

I had to do a site in January. So it was recent. But I do see your point about different logins. I don't know if that's an option with my accounts or not.

[kamakiri]

GoDaddy is far the very worst. With a basic package of the hosts I use now, I have ONE login, fantastico deluxe, cPanel (godaddy doesn't have cpanel), lots of MYSQL databases, email accounts that are EASY to set up,

There are simply so many features I get elsewhere as part of the package that godaddy does not offer.

I'll leave it at that. The list goes on.

OK, I get the idea here, but I am not even close to sold on it. My emails were simple to set up on godaddy, and even easier to transfer to gmail, and I would never go back to traditional email after using google apps. Fantastico and cPanel? I use those as often as I clean my nostrils with a carrot peeler, which is never.

I really tried to sound not skeptical here (but some sarcasm slipped, sorry.) Do you just not like them because the are the big guys? Many people rip on godaddy, but I have had nothing but good experiences with them. Are there any concrete details I should be aware of on that list you mention?

Here again, please don't think I am trying to be cheeky here. I really do want to know. If this can help me avoid pitfalls down the road, then it is pretty important in my mind. Webgal and others here have ripped on godaddy, but my (and Marcie's it appears) have been good. I see two possibilities here, one is that I am not web savvy enough, and the other is that godaddy isn't that bad. Getting an education on either topic will help me in the future, and that is why I push the question again.

[ChiTowner]

I've also read lot of negative opinions about GoDaddy. Check out the customer reviews at:

http://www.webhostingjury.com/reviews/Go_Daddy

Compare their scores against other service providers and GoDaddy wouldn't be (and wasn't for me) the first place to go to:

http://www.webhostingjury.com/

If you're going to install a blog, shopping cart or other popular content management systems (e.g. joomla) then you'll want Fantastico. Installing Wordpress is literally a 2 minute job. Otherwise, you're left with manually uploading files and creating databases etc etc

Hope that helps
Debbie

[machin]

I have a few things to add.

I use GoDaddy as a registrar but not my hosting provider.

I also use namecheap as a registrar and I have accounts (but no domains) with a few other registrars. I don't like GoDaddy's limits on domain transfers. This morning I had 3 domains pushed to my account (free transfer from another godaddy account), I now have to keep the domain names at godaddy for 60 days before I can transfer them to another registrar. My only other complaint about godaddy is the continually bombardment to buy other products, but I can live with that. I chose namecheap for my recent domain names because they were offering free privacy setup for the contact information. When you decide to register, do a search for the registrar's promo codes. The majority have specials going all the time to save a bit of money or add some extra feature.

For my hosting, I've been using hostdepartment lately, their service has been good. They don't have cpanel or fantastico but they do have some similar programs.

For wordpress, if you discount the ftp time, it takes 2 minutes even if you do manually set up the databases. I think you will be better off learning to manually set up wordpress than using fantastico. Either that or hire someone to do it. I've had fantastico fail on installing joomla and drupal, corrupting a database in the process. Since then, manual installs only and no more problems.

[badhank]

1)Get the name first, the rest u can sort out with a 0-2 day wait time max. If the name is gone then the name is gone for at least a year. You can register at one place, host ur dns (where the names get looked up) at another, and you site on another.
for example:
my .com names are registered to godaddy
my .ca names are registered to namespro.ca
i host my own dns server on a business internet connection
i have 2 web servers that host the sites that the dns points to on the same connection.

2) If you want to move who has the name registered, they i dont know a lot about that, just read the godaddy has a 60 day waiting period to move to another registrar.
This does not prevent you from using another dns host (altho its already free with registration, so theres no point unless u host ur own) and ur site can be anywhere

3)Some ppl register everything, other do just the .com
i do the .com and .ca since im in canada

[webgal]

OK, I get the idea here, but I am not even close to sold on it. My emails were simple to set up on godaddy, and even easier to transfer to gmail, and I would never go back to traditional email after using google apps. Fantastico and cPanel? I use those as often as I clean my nostrils with a carrot peeler, which is never.

I really tried to sound not skeptical here (but some sarcasm slipped, sorry.) Do you just not like them because the are the big guys? Many people rip on godaddy, but I have had nothing but good experiences with them. Are there any concrete details I should be aware of on that list you mention?

Here again, please don't think I am trying to be cheeky here. I really do want to know. If this can help me avoid pitfalls down the road, then it is pretty important in my mind. Webgal and others here have ripped on godaddy, but my (and Marcie's it appears) have been good. I see two possibilities here, one is that I am not web savvy enough, and the other is that godaddy isn't that bad. Getting an education on either topic will help me in the future, and that is why I push the question again.

Easy email and easy to transfer to gmail? All of them are good with that. I have no problem with any of my hosts with setting these up. That's kindergarten stuff and godaddy better have that. I love fantastico and cpanel is just great to me. I like having 4 different stat programs. I love Awstats. Webalizer is lame and I need info specific to SEO. And I get that.

But K, if you are happy with them and you have an account exec, I'm not going to try and talk you out of them. I don't hate them because they are big. It's just compared to hosts I use, they just don't offer much for the price.

I want a blog. I got to the host, click a button, Wordpress blog on the domain I ordered. There's work to upload a theme and change it but that has nothing to do with the host. I wanted to add a poll to a client's website. I go to fantastico, click a button, instant poll.

I can add it into email to ask a question which is great for one question surveys which is about as much as anyone will answer any way.

I downloaded a database program last week to collect emails and send out a newsletter. Done. I have 30 available email accounts and several mysql databases. If none of those things are important to you, there's not much motivation for you to change. They are not criminals. But since I'm the one who logs in and makes changes, I simply prefer a cpanel and things that make it technically easier.

I think if people are going to do a lot of the work themselves and not hire out, then it is crucial to start with a cpanel at least. Cpanel has videos that offer instruction on all the processes. I think godaddy is only easy once you get the hang of it. It's not well planned to me.


So that's the difference. If you're hiring people, then it doesn't matter. If you're doing things yourself, it's just plain easier with a cpanel host and fantastico (or autoinstall). So I think that's where the difference lies. Let me know if I've answered your question.

[kamakiri]

Thanks Webgal. In retrospect I wasn't even asking the right question.


My list of stuff to learn just grew by a few lines...

[webgal]

It was a good question.

[VinnyC]

Webgal, who do you use for domain registration and hosting? I want to park a url for an idea I have. I've read a bunch of your posts, but I haven't seen you give the name of who you work with.

[webgal]

They're pretty small and I guess I like it that way but I like hostingmatters.com. They do have fantastico and tech support is good. You can't call it's only by email.

However, it depends on what you're looking for. I have some sites planned for bluehost.com for wordpress sites since they have one button update. And I have icdsoft.com for my personal site because the price is right. (icdsoft doesn't have fantastico, though). I have a list I keep and I use HM the most but use particular ones for particular projects.

[padma]

Just another recommendation, I like 1and1 hosting (http://www.1and1.com)

They have a deal right now where you can get 6 months of hosting and 2 free domain names for 14.97, you have the ability to host up to 50 domains with that package. I just started using them after being frustrated with Godaddy and I love them.

[webgal]

Godaddy is extremely frustrating. They just cut off a client's domain, it got sold to someone else and he had to buy it back for $500 through a website. The domain name is goortho.net. So clearly there are companies lying in wait for godaddy domains to expire so they can buy them immediately and put people in a bind. It's clearly automated in 4hww style. No one really wanted that one, they just earmark domains about to expire and count on someone missing the godaddy email which may or may not actually come to alert you of an expired domain name.

[Marcie]

I think people are lying-in-wait for domains to expire from any hosting company, not just godaddy. The expiration itself is controlled by - icann - right? or whoever that big registrar in the sky is...I do think the process is convoluted, though, we should be masters of our domain and it shouldn't just go up on the auction block because we missed an email. There should be a period of time in which the rightful owner can still reclaim their "property".

Sorry if this is a little OT, it's something I think about alot :) For the record, I don't rely on emails to renew my domains, my godaddy home page alerts me to expiring domains and I have most of them on auto-renew so this does not happen :p :D :o

[webgal]

I have auto renew as well. I'm going to check monday to see if this client has auto renew on godaddy.

[dking]

I use Joker.com.

It does not matter who you host with and who you buy the domains from; With joker for example I can buy a domain from them and use the full DNS support to point it wherever I want. As long as you understand the system, you can put it together hoever you like.

[kapogoVP]

very interesting points... i am in the process of building 2 completly diffrent websites and am looking on using bluehost to get the job done, any advice?

[webgal]

To get the job done you mean they build it? Or you are looking to have it hosted through them?

[vgnsh4]

Webgal, who do you use for domain registration and hosting? I want to park a url for an idea I have. I've read a bunch of your posts, but I haven't seen you give the name of who you work with.



I used the site http://www.tucktail.com/ for registering the Domain Name and hosting the website at low cost,I got that service there,they providing GOOD SERVICE.

[nubian626]

anybody use or familiar with register.com?
I have registered domain names .net and .com with them but haven't built my site out with them yet