Registering Domains

[Nuwanda]

Hola,

I have two domains that I'd like to register and need a host. I already used the domain site from the book for a few other domains. I have heard that when you register a domain through a host it causes a challenge if you want to switch hosts.

I plan on having my site developed and want to have as many options as possible for delivering a knowledge based product.

1. Should I buy the domains independent of the host?
2. Whether yes or no, which hosts offers the most flexibility and features for the price?

Thank you!

[sub8hr]

Don't know about flexibility, but you'll generally get a better price if you buy together. Also depends what you're going to use it for. You'll need a more robust solution for an online store, but for a basic web page or blog you'll design yourself I've had domain reg and hosting packages as low as $15 total for an entire year.

[sadu]

I find that you will be changing hosts a lot more often than you will be changing domain registrars. As sites get bigger and busier, you might want to migrate them to a dedicated server, or relocate the site closer to the target market for performance reasons.
Also you will probably get shoddy service at some stage from a host, and will move based on that. I have used dozens of hosts in the past, and some work out, some don't.

Because of this, I find it better to register domains separately to the host - I use 2 domain registrars (one for .com domains and one for .nz domains), and lots of different web hosts. Having all my domains kept together greatly reduces the risk of having one accidentally expire on you. It's worth paying a bit more for domain registration for the convenience of having them all in one place.

I would highly recommend godaddy.com for a .com domain registrar. Cheap, large, and reliable. The only downside is that the site is crawling with advertising and tries to sell you a whole lot of crap you don't need. If you can ignore all that, it's great!
There are much better places to go for hosting - dreamhost.com is hard to beat on features, price and service. You can host unlimited domains on their cheap account, and it comes with lots of bandwidth etc.

However, I manage about 100 domains, so my requirements will be different to someone who just needs 2 domains - so in your case it might be less hassle to register them in the one place. (Dreamhost give you a free domain name with every account)

[Nuwanda]

Thanks Sub8hr and Sadu - that makes sense and is most helpful.

Pardon the ignorance here, but is it easy to move your domain from GoDaddy? Or does never need to move, simply a matter of having GoDaddy point the domain to my current host? My worry with buying the domain from GoDaddy or 1and1 is that there is some gotcha down the road that makes it inconvenient to use another host. But if I understand you correctly, you have plenty of domains with GoDaddy and have never had issues pointing your domains to other hosts.


I find that you will be changing hosts a lot more often than you will be changing domain registrars. As sites get bigger and busier, you might want to migrate them to a dedicated server, or relocate the site closer to the target market for performance reasons.
Also you will probably get shoddy service at some stage from a host, and will move based on that. I have used dozens of hosts in the past, and some work out, some don't.

Because of this, I find it better to register domains separately to the host - I use 2 domain registrars (one for .com domains and one for .nz domains), and lots of different web hosts. Having all my domains kept together greatly reduces the risk of having one accidentally expire on you. It's worth paying a bit more for domain registration for the convenience of having them all in one place.

I would highly recommend godaddy.com for a .com domain registrar. Cheap, large, and reliable. The only downside is that the site is crawling with advertising and tries to sell you a whole lot of crap you don't need. If you can ignore all that, it's great!
There are much better places to go for hosting - dreamhost.com is hard to beat on features, price and service. You can host unlimited domains on their cheap account, and it comes with lots of bandwidth etc.

However, I manage about 100 domains, so my requirements will be different to someone who just needs 2 domains - so in your case it might be less hassle to register them in the one place. (Dreamhost give you a free domain name with every account)

[sub8hr]

Domains and hosting are separate. You can keep your domain registered with GoDaddy and use anyone else's hosting. Cancel, swap, move around, shouldn't matter.

[froldt]

I am going to be using www.below5host.com (not an affiliate link) for the first version of my upcoming website. They have a $1.99/month (payable a year's all at once) plan that more than meets my needs. I can upgrade to other packages as my needs require it, staying w/in the same hosting company.

It's cheaper to register my domain elsewhere, so I'm going to use either 1and1 or godaddy to register. I've heard a number of people say that if you register and host with different companies, it's easier to move around if needed. I won't be moving around and am only doing so due to pricing, but it's still something to keep in mind.

[sadu]

If you want to have a good long-term setup, register separate from your host.

Especially if you are choosing your host based on pricing - getting $1.99 hosting means there's a good chance they all go home in the weekend, that sort of thing. I don't mind a bit of slack support with hosting (if it's cheap) but your domains are waaaay too important to tolerate mickey mouse systems or service. Especially once your site starts making money, those domain names are your gold.

Keep your domains with the big guys, you can point them at whatever webhost you need at the time.

[froldt]

Especially if you are choosing your host based on pricing - getting $1.99 hosting means there's a good chance they all go home in the weekend, that sort of thing. I don't mind a bit of slack support with hosting (if it's cheap) but your domains are waaaay too important to tolerate mickey mouse systems or service. Especially once your site starts making money, those domain names are your gold.

I am familiar with the company (know some of the tech support guys) so I trust their support. They have better response times than many other companies. As for price-point, they have other "companies" that offer larger packages, so it is very easy to upgrade to a larger package and remain with the same people in the background.

However, speaking in general terms, I would still split up my domain and hosting, just as sadu mentions. I will retain the flexibility to move around as needed. Putting both eggs in one basket means you're more likely to be stuck with that basket.

[Nuwanda]

Thanks a bunch. I registered the domains just to have them and then will look more seriously at a host as my focus narrows on my first muse. I bought the private status and not sure exactly how that works. I'd like to avoid my personal info coming up from a whois query.

[Portto]

When you register a domain through your host do you still own it legally (ie if you wanted to sell it) or does the hosting company technically own it?

My hosting company charges me 7.99 per domain name, while godaddy charges 10.69 for the same one, so I am very tempted to just buy it through my hosting company as long as I still own it.

[Ace4mula]

You will own it. Remember you can get discounts by using coupon codes. Try www.retailmenot.com