Domain registrations, versus hosting, how to transfer
I’ve had a couple of questions lately about domain registration versus hosting accounts, so I thought I’d answer them here. It doesn’t matter where you register a domain, you can host the actual Web site for that domain anywhere. It seems a lot of folks have registered with Network Solutions, but have yet to get a Web hosting account, and have then discovered that when they go to their domain name (enter their address in a browser’s URL address bar), there is a directory of other businesses like theirs. Network Solutions has parked their own paid directory on that spot, pending the domain being hosted. [See a previous post for more info on that practice, as well as my take on why not to use Network Solutions.]
When you register a domain, you own that name for the duration of the contract and have the right to renew it when the contract is due to expire (usually after a year, but some people buy 2-10 year registrations). When you actually purchase Web hosting, you let the domain registrar know where your Web site is by giving them DNS information. DNS, variously described as Domain Name Server or Services, Domain Name System, is server software that translates your domain name into an IP (Internet Protocol) address. When you get hosted, you’ll get an IP address for your site, but your hosting company will actually send you a domain name server name or two that resolves to that IP, usually something like NS1.HOSTINGCOMPANYSERVER.COM. For example: NS1.NETSOL.COM.
All you will need to do to have Web visitors find your Web site after that is to give your registrar (if it is different from your hosting company) that DNS information, i.e., the one or two NS1.HOSTINGCOMPANYSERVER.COM names you are given by a Web hosting service when you host with them. This is something that you have to do by logging into the account where you registered the domain and entering the new server names. It takes the Web a day or two to recognize the new address, and then your site will be “live” on the Web.
You can also transfer your domain name. So if you don’t want to host where you registered, and you want everything to be handled by one vendor, you can initiate a domain name transfer with the hosting company that you choose. They’ll need something called an authentication key or authorization key to prove that you are indeed the owner of the domain. (Imagine what would happen if people could transfer domains they did not own.) You should have been sent an email with that key when you registered the domain.
Garlic D’Zign Web hosting offers an option to purchase a DNS-only service. That allows you to essentially park your domain name on their servers until you are ready to host (anywhere), and it’s just $10 a year. That eliminates the problem of having big vendors like Network Solutions put their stuff on your yet-to-be-hosted domain name. Their hosting prices are very competitive, and they offer domain registration as well as domain transfers. I’ve just sent a new client their way, even though I am a hosting reseller myself. I have to maintain a balance between Web design and the time it takes to manage hosting services, and I like what I see in their product and service offerings. Your Webmaster can manage your server regardless of where it is hosted, so I can still serve my clients Web needs without selling them server space.
If you are looking to register a domain name, you can check its availability in a variety of places, but you might just as well look it up where you intend to buy it. Here are some examples:
Garlic D’Zign’s lookup is at: http://www.garlicdzign.com/check.php
Blue Host’s is at: http://www.bluehost.com/sign_up_now.html
Lunar Pages is at: http://www.lunarpages.com/index.php
If you plan to manage your own server (set up email accounts, set up your own directories for your Web files, upload/download files, do backups, create databases, check visitor statistics, add free tools to your site (e.g. blogs, calendars, surveys, guestbooks, forums, etc.), choose a hosting and registration company that offers an easy-to-use server administration interface. I like CPanel for server administration with Fantastico for those added tools. AcornHost.com is a good hosting service with CPanel and Fantastico, but you have to register your domain elsewhere (they refer you to NameCheap.com for that). I have a few clients with AcornHost and they’ve never had a moment of trouble. They are especially good for non-profits.
Whatever you do, save the information (usually sent to you in email) about your accounts with registrars or hosting companies. Put usernames, passwords, and the domain authentication key in a safe place. Note expiration dates on your calendar for next year. Even with auto-renewal or email notifications, you’ll want to be sure your registration and/or hosting service doesn’t expire. Even if you have someone else manage your server, you should always have this important information on file. If you have to switch Webmasters, transfer domain names, or re-host somewhere else, you’ll save yourself and/or your new Webmaster a lot of trouble later on.