How to Buy a Domain Name - Comments Page 1

If you choose GoDaddy be warned...the website they offer you to buy is beyond most normal individuals skill. I found that it's far too complicated and full of "what-if's" and "buts". Stay clear of this "offer" unless you're a genius in website building!

We have had success with Netfirms for registration (best pricing I could find). For Canadian companies like us, it is sometimes cheaper ( depending on the specials they are running) to register thru Netfirms.com rather than Netfirms.ca
They are the same company, so no difference that I could see other than price - I paid 1/2 on the .com site!

Go Daddy is fine EXCEPT - renewing is an nightmare, it is almost impossible to do something without being bombarded with offers, adjustments, add-ons and nightmares. In other words it is almost impossible to renew by saying renew and pay the bill.

I will go somewhere else next time as I ended up doing the renew over the phone with godaddy

One other comment - beware of free registration offers when you sign up for hosting. Many companies offer one year of free registration when you sign up, but you have to watch what the renewal rate is. As well, you have to make sure that the domain is registered to you and not the hosting company - so you don't lose it if you move to another host.

When I'm looking for a new domain name I simply type it in the URL including the .com. If it does not come up then there is a good chance it is available. We have found that some of the sites where you check for DNs will grab a name if it's worth holding for ransom. Be ready to buy if you find what you want.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've heard this rumor since 1994, and I tend to think it's just that. I wouldn't say it's NEVER happened, but not something I would worry about.

Another thing about GoDaddy that everybody should be aware of. They usually offer "specials" on domain name prices for the first year but these prices usually increase significantly for subsequent years.

One registrar that many people use is Name Cheap.com
They offer "WhoIs Guard" free for the first year and then it's about $3. a year after that.

For the newbies, "WhoIs Guard" will keep spammers from looking up your email address and then sending you endless ads for male enhancement products; invites to Russian dating sites; and offers for Canadian pharmaceutical products.

People can still contact you via your WhoIs info, but they must use a rotating email address that is auto-updated every month.

This means the spammers have to constantly run "WhoIs" searches to make sure their contact info is correct. And they don't like to do that.

After I got "WhoIs Guard" protection added to my domain, the spam emails dropped to zero in less than two months. So in my opinion this service is a "must have" feature.

Especially on a personal (just-for-fun) web site where people don't need to know who you are or where you live, or your home phone number!

Another thing to be aware of is that your registration info must be accurate and you must keep it up to date. Otherwise your domain name can be legally revoked for containing false information.

I have never heard of this happening to anyone, but it is the law and as such everyone should be aware of it.

As for domain hosting... hosting companies are not equal and you get what you pay for. If you are running a business site then you should be more concerned with reliability than with price.

$2. a month seems great until the Server goes offline and you can't get tech support until tomorrow or, if it's a Friday evening, until Monday.

Not everyone offers 24/7 tech support by phone. Some places only offer it Mon. - Fri but on the weekends you have to submit a ticket by email.

Also be sure to read the A.U.P before you buy domain hosting. All of these companies impose restrictions on what type of content they will allow you to host.

If you violate their T.O.S your account can be permanently suspended with the total loss of all your data! So be sure to keep backups of everything on your web site (.gif, .jpg, .mp3, etc. files AND the HTML code that displays them) in case you lose your domain.

I've used namecheap.com, They seem to provide a good service and offer alternatives.

I have gotten a few domains with GoDaddy. There website is overwhelming, but I have had no issues purchasing or renewing with them.

I've used three registrars. My favorite is aitdomains.com

GoDaddy's CEO likes to go on African Safari's and seems to enjoy shooting and killing endangered wild animals, like elephants. He "justifies" his sport as helping with the elephant "over-population", said to be 60-100,000 which is really "human OVER population" said to be 7,000,000,000. I, for one, have decided that I will not fuel his fun. Shame on him. http://mashable.com/2011/04/01/bob-parsons-elephant-story/

EDITOR'S NOTE: I have no problem with decisions like this. But it also lays a burden on you to similarly research the owner and/or executives of all other companies that you do business with. Does the CEO of a competing company beat his wife, drive a Hummer, kick the dog, or donate to causes you disagree with? You'll probably never know.

I use register.com - GREAT customer service! Very easy to register your website online.

For hosting, I've used XO Communications for about 11 years now and have NEVER had an issue with my website being down. GREAT customer service too!

Both are more expensive than others out there (for the services I have), but I don't mind paying more for the service - product and customer (which is sadly lacking in so many companies these days) - that they provide, as my business depends on my website.

PS Bob - thanks for your column - it's great! :D

WARNING about GO DADDY tricks.About to register a Domain name? When You check your choice of name, people like GO DADDY can beat you to it. WHY? To INFLATE the price with no intention to using it. I choose zambalesprovince.com A few days later as l went to select and pay for the domain name it was taken. CURIOUS l went to see who had it - GO DADDY had taken it NOT to use it but to massively increased the Price.
HOW CAN THEY GET TO KNOW... TO RIP YOU OFF? Is nothing private you do on the internet.
Well GO DADDY can got and stick the domain where the sun don't shine they get nothing from me...they have what is called parked the domain name...what TURDS they are. If you doubt my word go and look at zambalesprovince.com my case rests.