Domain name registration blues

Registering domain names is easy, the choice of service providers bewilderingly large and the potential for regretting one's actions later - humungous. Let me explain, there are hundreds nay thousands of domain name registration agents only too willing to help you part with your money. And the vast majority provide a reasonable service. However, there are some very well known companies, large ones, with the marketing muscle to offer what appear to be some very financially attractive (OK, I mean cheap) deals. Unfortunately, these often come with a sting in the tail. For example, to name a few names, Easily will 'switch off' your name servers usually within thirty minutes of you transferring your domain name elsewhere, leaving your website suspended in cyberspace "with no-where to go". Another example is UK2. Their systems are fraught with the potential for delays in the transfer process simply because they make it unduly complicated, not to mention the appalling avenues of communication the company uses, or more accurately doesn't. And finally, Iomart - a £50.00 transfer away charge. Although having spoken to Nominet on the subject they inform me it is not uncommon for companies to charge as much as £100.00. Moral of the story? Check out your domain name registration company and their terms and conditions before placing your business with them, otherwise you will almost certainly live to regret it. Moving on, if you do decide to register your own domain name make sure the contact email address you use is ALWAYS kept up-to-date with your domain name registration agent. Failure to do so can mean losing your domain name. Why? Well, for instance, when your domain name is due for renewal the majority of domain name registration agents will notify you by email. And if you don't receive the email because you have changed your email address without informing the company you only have yourself to blame. Bye bye domain name. Finally a word about the legal registrant - that is the person who legally owns the domain. There are many potential problems here. Ignorant or unethical agents (these could be friends, web developers, graphic designers...) who you have asked to register your domain name on your behalf. What happens far too often is that these people register the domain name not in your name, or the name of your organisation, but in their own name. I have truly lost count of the number of poor unfortunates who have fallen victim to this scenario. In short, if someone else is registering your domain name for you, inform them in writing of the EXACT name of the legal registrant. That way you have documentary evidence of your instructions. Also, having paid for the domain name insist on an invoice/bill that states that you are paying for the domain name. What often happens is an agent may be providing hosting services as well and just lumps all services, say, under one description such as "virtual Server". Insist that somewhere in the description it mentions the specific domain name. That way you have proof that you purchased the domain name and Nominet in the case of .uk domains will accept such an invoice/receipt as proof of ownership and will change the legal registrant's name to correct any anomalies. But at the end of the day, if in doubt seek out the advice of a reputable professional. This is by no means an exhaustive guide as to what can go wrong, but highlights a few of the more common problems. It's your domain - look after it!