24 July 2009
Protecting your online presence by ensuring your domain name is yours for the keeping.

Your domain name is one of the most important aspects of your online presence but it's amazing how many companies rely on their web designer to purchase this and register it on their behalf. With the vast majority of web design companies this is not an issue and they will register a domain in your name (as it should be done) but there is the odd company out there who will register a domain under thier own name and then hold your company to ransom should you try to move elsewhere.

We have had to deal with several clients who have had this issue and while it's not always impossible to get your domain back it is time and effort wasted on something that can easily be avoided.

So how can you protect yourself and your company from this 'tactic'?

1) If you are unsure how to buy a domain or have one included as part of your package, do a little background checking on the company first. By using http://www.domaintools.com/registrant-search/ you can get an idea of how many domains a company has in its name.

2) Look at their portfolio and look up the whois information of domains in their portfolio. If all the clients seem to be registered under the webdesign companies name rather than the client then it may be something to worry about.

3) If a domain is part of your package, ensure that you have it written into the contract that the domain WILL be registered in your name. Should it come down to a dispulte later you will then have written evidence that you should be the legal owner (believe me, this can be a lifesaver!)

Remember, a domain can cost pennies, a company selling you back your domain can ask whatever they want. For the sake of buying it yourself you could save yourself a whole lot of stress at a later date. If in doubt, buy it yourself.