Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) manages the domain name registration with delegation to national registries such as DENIC of Germany and AFNIC for France. In the United States, the National Science Foundation granted the Network Solutions, Incorporated sole responsibility to manage domain registration. But after NSI lost the domain name registration monopoly, numerous registrars and resellers joined the industry.
So from who should you register the domain name?
Across the bar, no two domain name registrars are alike. These registrars differ in interface, management and control system, additional services offered, price, etc. You may have registered on a domain on a registrar for an overprice or the services lack the preference and features you need. If you are not happy with the registrar, you can either drop the domain name or shell out some amount to transfer the domain to another registrar when the registration expires.
Factors in Selecting Domain Registrar
There are several factors to consider when selecting the domain name registrar. Whether you want to register a new domain or transfer the registration of an existing domain, take a look at these factors, but don't forget to consider particular issues you have.
- Management. How efficient and simple do you manage the information associated with the domain? Control panel interface allows you to change nameservers and contact information by simply logging in and manipulating the dashboard.
- Services. What are the additional services offered by the registrar? Popular services offered are domain redirection capabilities, site building tools, and email services.
- Price. How much you must pay for .com, .net, .org or .me domain registration? Price per registrar varies greatly ranging between $10 to $15. Aside from the price factor, other services, testimonials, and customer support must be taken into account when comparing prices.
- Support. Can you reach customer support easily when things go wrong? Prior registering, check the help or FAQ section of the registrar to know how easy it is to make a ticket or send an email for technical help.
- Payment and Renewal. What are your payment options? How easy is it to renew domain registration? With most registrars offering credit-card and Paypal payments, it is easy to automatically renew domain ownership when registration expires.
- Control of the Domain. How much control do you have on the domain? Most registrars and resellers allow full control of the domain name by listing administrative, technical, and billing contact on the contact information. Even with private registration, make sure you have full control of the domain, and not the registrar.
- ICANN Accreditation/Reseller Licenses. Is the registrar or reseller licensed or accredited with Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers or ICANN? ICANN oversees Internet-related activities and tasks, including domain names registration, to ensure the operational stability of the online infrastructure.
Tips in Registering Domains
Everyone wants to make most of their domains. To do that, you have to keep things right when registering domain names on registrars or resellers. Is public registration better than private registration? Will I get more benefits when I register domain outside of my web host?
Public or Private Registration
ICANN requires registrars to disclose the contact information of the registrant through the Whois Database. When the registrant uses false information, a violation is made and termination of registration is expected. But most registrants don't want their names, addresses, and contact information made public. This is why most registrars offer Private Registration service. Instead of disclosing registrant's information publicly and be a subject of spamming, the Whois Database lists the proxy's information.
What are the drawbacks of private registration?
Privately registering your domain triggers search engines that you may practice black-hat SEO or a spammer. It may even get your site blacklisted if other red flags are met. Also, it will be hard to be added to human-reviewed web directories. On the other hand, if ever there are interested parties or companies to buy your domain, or you want to sell the domain, contacting you is difficult. As a result, you rely on resellers or the registrar to meddle with the sales.
Register with Your Web Host or on Separate Registrar
Unknowingly, most would register their domains on their web host because it is cheaper, more convenient, and perhaps, easier. Let's get back to the basic. Your domain name is your virtual and online identity. Without the domain name, you are completely alienated from online presence. This is why you should avoid registering your domain name on your web host.
Bad things happen, sometimes. Your web host servers may be too slow or have some serious problems that can't be addressed in short time. And it prompts you to change the web servers. If you registered the domain name on your web host, you have to transfer to another registrar to eliminate the problem. But the old registrar, which is your web host, must approve the transfer and that may take days or weeks. Such a bother – and loss to your website's credibility.
Look at this another possible situation. You ask the web host-registrar for approval of domain name transfer. However, the message you've got is worded like this: “Sorry, but the domain name is not registered in your name, but on our name.” You own the website, but only on face value. What you can do about it? Subscribe to their redirection service and still renew the domain registration.
When you register the domain name on registrar separate from your web host, it is easy to replace the web host and change your host servers. You don't have to ask for approval or wait for the web host's actions on your complaints. As long as you have a backup of your website, you can easily build one using another web host.
You see, the game of domain name registration can be tricky and nasty. If you don't open your eyes closely to these realities, you'll become a tree lost in the forest, or the other way around.
Recommended Domain Registrars
When it's time to register a domain, which domain registrar should you choose? Who has the best combination of management, service, features, control, customer support and pricing? Let's take a look at the top three recommended registrars.
Since its foundation last 2000, Namecheap is considered one of the biggest domain registrars. Accredited with ICANN, Namecheap is based in Los Angeles, USA. Namecheap offers easy buying and selling of domains, competitive pricing, and straightforward packages. There are no hidden charges and you will definitely own the domain with additional features such as Whois Privacy Guard, email forwarding, and management system. Compared to other domain registrars, Namecheap offers affordable prices varying from $3.99 to $11.98 per year. More than 20 top-level domains including popular ones and newer TLDs such as .me and .pe. Paypal payment is accepted, another plus for Namecheap. You may find other registrars offering lower fees, but they fail on service satisfaction.
Although, Namecheap does not provide phone support system, its email and live chat support system is reliable and real-time. Namecheap is tagged as having the best customer service leading the industry. Live chat offers a convenient way for clients to resolve issues fast and easy. Aside from the Whois Privacy Guard, other Namecheap security features are Grant Modification Rights, Registrar Lock, and Security Notifications.
Offering all major top-level domains (TLDs), along with more than 25 Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs), at competitive and affordable prices varying from $2.99 to $199 per year, Domain.com remains one of the biggest and most trusted domain registrars. There are several packages available at Domain.com such as Private Registration, Bulk Registration, Domain Renewals, Domain Transfer, Domain Services, and Premium Domains. Transferring a domain to another registrar takes only 5 to 7 days with fees as low as $8.29.
When you register a domain, you are eligible to enjoy extra free services and features. Transfer Lock secures the domain from unwarranted transfer without your knowledge. Adding security, NameSafe locks the domain from any edit of contact information, server updates, or transfers without authorization through e-mail. The URL Forwarding feature, using Masked or Unmasked URL Forwarding, allows redirection of the domain to another URL, while the Email Forwarding service allows creation of up to 250 email addresses for your domain and you can redirect messages to a valid email address. Another plus is the DNS management which allows you to use Domain.com's nameservers without maintaining a new DNS server.
Currently holding more than 3 million domains, Dotster, which is based in Vancouver, Washington, is one of the largest domain registrars in the world. Although, the price is higher compared to NameCheap.com, Dotster offers good free extras. Email Forwarding, URL Forwarding, DNS Management, and NameSafe are extra features you can get from Dotster. Dotster.com is the holder of Domain.com. This is why some of the features or services are the same.
Almost all major Top-Level Domains (TLDs) and Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are offered by Dotster. Private Registration is just for $8.99 per year, and domain name transfer is available for only $8.29. Dotster also offers premium domain registration if you want to get a better domain name.