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Domain registrations, versus hosting, how to transfer
November 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
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.
Sparkling Dawg named Best of Livingston 2007 for Web Services
November 2, 2007 | 1 Comment
Sparkling Dawg has been named “Best of Livingston 2007″ for Web Services in the Livingston Weekly and KPRK Radio poll. What makes Sparkling Dawg successful is that we provide end-to-end Web services, from graphics, Web site and blog design, implementation and maintenance, to service-oriented hosting.
Thank you to the clients, customers, and non-profits whom the Dawg has served. You are the best clients a business could hope for, and you make the work fun and rewarding.
Yet another reason to avoid NetworkSolutions.com
October 16, 2007 | 1 Comment
In addition to the other reasons to shun NetworkSolutions.com, here’s a fresh one. If you register a domain name with your hosting company and don’t use it, don’t provide an index page of your own, or don’t point it to another domain, the hosting service posts a default Web page. These usually have the host logo and a notice that the site is under construction. If you have a similar situation with Network Solutions (i.e., have not yet “assigned [the domain] to your hosting account” to use their typically incorrect parallel universe of terminology), they display a page that contains a big promo for Network Solutions’ products/services at the bottom, and a looks-like-a-real-Web-page but is actually a paid directory of businesses similar to yours at the top. Unless visitors to the page have pop-ups blocked, they will also see a pop-up window with more directory listings for businesses like yours. In other words, you have paid for domain registration, you are their hosting customer, and Network Solutions uses your unused Web space to put up a page that looks like a legitimate Web site, advertises your competitors and themselves, and includes an annoying popup. And they are making money from it.
I can’t emphasize strongly enough that Network Solutions cares more about selling themselves than serving you. If you are stuck with them for the duration of a contract, consider these options: see if you can terminate the hosting account and get your money back, or get into their arcane Hosting Control Panel and either do it yourself or have your Webmaster make sure that an unused domain name is “assigned to your hosting account,” and either point the domain to the top level directory of your active site or to a custom home page. If you don’t occupy your own Web real estate with Network Solutions, they will squat on it and rent it out.
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More info:
“Registrars also use domain monetization for “parking” customer domains. Godaddy is an example. Registrants at Godaddy are given a parked page. It’s quite obvious that this side of the business is likely much more profitable than the miniscule margins that domains registrations receive. Seemingly a major conflict of interest, virtually all the major registrars monetize names on some level and many have utilized the loopholes to acquire more traffic through retaining expiring names for themselves.”
[Network Solutions is doing just that.]
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/internet/network_solutions.htm
(old, but still true, comments from NS customers)
http://consumeraffairs.com/news03/ftc_nsi.html
Network Solutions Settles FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Charges
Vintage yellow robot: finding or selling stock images
September 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I’ve noticed over the months that a number of visitors have come to this site as a result of a Google Image search for “vintage robot” or “vintage toy robot.” I’ve used the robot image in one place or another on Sparkling Dawg for well over a year, most recently in the “Search Engine Optimization” post. I also use it on my spam tips site: ctrl-zweb.com.
Here’s where I found this image: iStockphoto.com. If I’m not using one of my stock photographs, or creating a new illustration, I often use iStockphoto to save time and client expense. It’s free to join, and then you pay whatever amount you want in credits. Each image download is a certain amount of credits. Most of my downloads are for Web use, so they are low-resolution and just 1 credit. A high-resolution vector illustration can be 5 credits. With bulk credits, downloaded images only cost from a little over a dollar for web sizes to about 6 dollars for vector illustrations. In addition to photos and illustrations, you can get Flash animations and video. iStockphoto’s catalog is pretty large, the images are always high-quality, and downloads are straightforward and reliable. You can also download a watermarked low-res comp to see if the image will work in your project before you buy it. Compared to other services, I find iStockphoto to be a much more affordable alternative for good quality images. Their Web site is attractive and easy to use, too.
iStockphoto will also sell your work, but I can’t vouch for how favorably they compare to other services for commissions. I do know their standards are high, and judging by the extent of their catalog, lots of folks are selling through them.
If you want to find the source of the vintage robot above, his catalog number is #403291. A search at iStockphoto for “vintage robot” will include him and many other excellent alternatives.