Points to note before you register domain names

Domain names on the internet often define the nature of websites. The most obvious example would be that of Google; if you can’t count the number of times you have said, “Let’s Google it.” or your fingers tend to type in G-O-O-G-L-E as soon as you activate your internet browser might give you some idea about how important a domain name is. There are no easy ways to get a catchy domain name. Thinking long and hard and drawing up a list of names in order of priority and ticking them off is still the most popular way, although there are people who settle for what their registrar recommends. In fact there are a lot of things that a registrar may recommend through your “Terms of services” agreement that may at times be detrimental to you. However, here are a few tips that would hold you in good stead as you attempt to register domain names for your website.

Check

Before you move to register domain names with a registrar, check with online sites that offer to check for your domain names across the internet for free. This would save a lot of time and the registrar would not have to spend time recommending more to you. Often, registrars would attempt to hide certain domain names (that you have suggested) because they actually prefer to sell them to a higher bidder.

Fees

Registrars would want to protect their business in any way. Quite understandable, since that is what most businesses tend to do anyway. However, these registrars are dealing with a product that is not of their making. They don’t make but register domain names. So, they bring out a few tricks into the terms of service to ensure that they can get the maximum out of you even if you decide to transfer your domain to another registrar. This is against ICANN rules, but since most people don’t bother to read their terms of service, they often don’t notice this “transfer fee”. Another factor that plays in this regard would be the “ignorance of law” factor. The registrar would know that they are breaking the law by including this into the agreement but do you? Now you do.

Whois

Every time you register domain names with a registrar, you are required to update a publicly accessible registry known as Whois. The registrar is duty-bound to provide you with the ability to change the Whois records yourself. Instead, some may register it cheaply and charge you with a hefty amount. Some may even impose restrictions to prevent you from moving to another registrar. Registrars may also try and provide you “privacy protection” by registering for you in their name. According to Whois policy, whomsoever’s name is written along with the domain name is the true legal owner of the domain name. If you signed on the dotted line for this feature, you end up with nothing.

These are a few ways that unscrupulous minds may take advantage of your ignorance to cheat you off your money. It is imperative that you understand the ways by which you could be cheated and be smart to read the fine print. Get clarifications wherever necessary and always go for a trusted registrar even if this may mean shelling out a bit more cash.  

 

Surftown is a Scandinavian-based company with international coverage. One of the first hosting companies to quit overselling.

Points to note before you register domain names