After a consistently poor service from our web host we are in the process of changing providers. This process is a bit of a headache and not one that I'd like to do again in a hurry.

My question is, would anyone recommend having a third party to control the registrations of domains and host their DNS (not the hosting provider).

This would mean that if you ever need to leave your web host you do not need to transfer domains, just change the DNS records. This seems to me to me only a good thing, removing ties that somewhat keep you under the thumb of a web host.

Are there any disadvantages that I may have overlooked?

I have done this with both Network Solutions (before they turned all evil), which is the registrar of my main domain, and godaddy, which is the registrar of about thirty other domains. The affiliated sites are all hosted on a dedicated server through another company. The Network Solutions system is a bit easier, I think, for managing DNS settings, although GoDaddy has a pretty powerful DNS manager of their own. The control panel is just a bit daunting, as they hide the advanced DNS settings through several menus.

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The best way to learn anything, is to question everything.

I do this now myself and it is no problem at all.

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KBK Marketing | Search Marketing Blog | Cheap Web Hosting

Using our hosting you are free to host your domain with us or can simply point your custom nameservers of your domain to our server.
We do not restrict you or charge you if you want to move your domains from us.

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Managed Dedicated server || Reseller Hosting

I manage several dedicated servers and provide several DNS related services. Your registrar is going to handle pointing your name servers to a specific location and (usually speaking) local DNS is going to handle the rest.

I personally recommend using godaddy.com as your registrar and rely on them to feed the global DNS servers. Network Solutions is a real pain.

As long as you are with a trusted registrar you should will be able to host your sites anywhere you'd like and move them easily as needed.

Keep in mind it can take 24-72 hours for propagation of your Name Server info. I've seen it take that long with Network Solutions and a few other registrars. My experience with godaddy.com has been excellent, with propagation take\ing less than 2-3 hours; in some cases, just a few minutes.

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I use Country IP Blocks as added security for my networks and servers.

I have just been helping a friend of mine escape from their old host where the host had also been the domain registrar, however the host was only a reseller and domains were registered all over the place.

One of the first things we did was to get all the domains transferred to, in this case, GoDaddy. Once the domains are there it's trivial to set the name server records of each domain to the values supplied by the host.

For our own web hosting clients we generally tell them to register their own domain names and just update the name server records with our name servers.

As far as I'm concerned having your domain names under your control is a must as no matter what happens to your hosting you can, assuming you have backups, get back on line within 48 hours. The host/designer can never hold your domain name to ransom or otherwise dictate to you.

The only downside is if you need technical support with a DNS issue you may have to deal with both the registrar and host support, but to be honest this so seldom occurs it's not worth worrying about, I think it's cropped up once for us in as long as I can remember.

As for the time for propagation if you have control of the domain and it's a controlled move between hosts then there are ways to reduce the time to near zero where both old and new servers will respond. If it's a forced move then you need to allow the 24-48 hours as already stated.

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Absolutely. I gave up having my web hosts --and at one time even my ISP-- register and maintain domain names for me. I want total control over my domain names, admin contact info, DNS, the whole nine yards. Go with services that specialize in domain names. Like GoDaddy for example.

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I think inevitably, sooner or later most companies will come to realize that total DNS control should be in the customer's hands, not only as a service to the customer but in the best interest of everyone.

That said, I don't think a third party is necessary if the registrar gives you full DNS control, in which case you could change hosting providers any time, at your own discretion.

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Domain Name Registration and Website Hosting :: DesignerTrade

I would definitely recommend having the domain name registration different from the webhost. I had a bad experience a couple of years back trying to move back my domain name registation from an extremely bad host. Would definitely recommend GoDaddy. Price is good and DNS management is pretty good. Don't know about Network Solutions. Have never used them. I currently have my 20+ domains registered with GoDaddy (one with Yahoo Domains) and they are hosted on 3 different servers. Saves me a lot of headache when I want to switch a domain between from one webhost to another.

I am a 3rd party reseller of domains and have a site set up at webslive.com
I don't push it too much though. the main reason I got involved is just so I could get domains for my clients at a reasonable price. Currently I mostly manage domains for my clients. I only charge $8.95 per .com's
it's a great system, if you want to have full control of all your dns needs, you might want to check it out. it's also only $8.95 to transfer your domain renewing it for a year.

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Tony V Get Paid To Blog Even If you don't Blog

Hi Mark,
My name is Tom and I am the owner of TRK Hosting. You can always change your dns at your registrar, provided your hosting provider is reputable and gives you access to the domain registration. I say reputable because so many "companies" do not give you this info even though you OWN your domain or they hold your domain hostage outright. Bad service is not uncommon in this industry either, especially large companies tend to forget how they got that way or simply do not care.
I invite you to check out TRK Hosting. Here, you own your domain and you can do with it what you like, you have full registrar login details when you register or transfer a domain.
As far as hosting service is concerned, once a client and you won't regret it.

Tom
TRK Hosting
Webhosting dedicated virtual provider including reselling domain registration dedicated servers web design host Hosting Plans

This is very important believe me from past bad experiences. Keep your hosting and domain provider separate. It will save you alot of grief in the long run!

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The Graphics Shoppe~2000+ Commercial Use Graphics!
http://thegraphicsshoppeclub.com

This is exactly what happend to me after being with my webhost for almost 5 Years. I ended up having to get a new domain and move my website after he disapeared into cyberspace with no warning.
Maemae

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The Graphics Shoppe~2000+ Commercial Use Graphics!
http://thegraphicsshoppeclub.com

I can't tell you how many times I've had clients call me for help when they want to move their websites and learn that they are stuck because their hosting people actually registered the domain name under their (the hosting company) name, not the client's name!

Sometimes threatening a lawsuit can help, sometimes you have to decide whether to follow through or start over with a new domain.

The moral of the story is ALWAYS HANDLE YOUR OWN DOMAIN NAMES. GoDaddy.com is absolutely the best place to do this. If you need help changing the DNS to point to a new hosting server, you can setup a user account for your web person to do this for you. It will not allow them to transfer the domain, merely repoint the DNS to the new hosting server for you. Be careful when registering domain names, to try and use an email address that is not tied to the domain you are registering, but is a permanent address that you will keep. Otherwise, you'll find yourself having to prove who you are through snail mail.

- Hank Castello
Database & Server-Side Programming / Consulting for Website Designers and Developers.
Business Class Web Hosting for Small Businesses

Not only would I recommend against it, I would STRONGLY urge everyone to use a private registration service. Control of your intellectual property (your biggest asset) should not be underestimated. There are more issues as stake than simply migrating a website. What if they go out of business? What if they don't define you as the "Registrant"? What if they don't pay their bills and the domain expires?

It has been a mess I tried to go above him but they keep telling me to contact the reseller host that I was using. It is registered in my name but they will not let me have access to change the nameservers and the reseller company that I found he was using after doing research will not help me at all. I would really like to have access to change the nameservers because I still have customers visiting my old domain and would like to redirect them. He has disapeared though with no way of contacting him and his website is gone.

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The Graphics Shoppe~2000+ Commercial Use Graphics!
http://thegraphicsshoppeclub.com

I think the initial question is in referrence to hosting companies that offer a "free domain name" with hosting. Usually, the name is registered in the users name, with the admin e-mail address (the key here) in the hosting company's name.

If a user sets up a website, advertises it and then turns out that they are not happy with the hosting service, there could be a potential problem with cancelling the hosting account because the host's e-mail address is on the domain name account.

sidenote: in order to own, or transfer a domain name, the admin e-mail address has to approve the transaction.

I have always advised my clients to have seperate domain names and hosting. We provide both through our website.

I am both a host and an owner of websites.

I use my own dns...but i still have a service i have used for maybe 4 years or so now.

DNS Made Easy

back when EVERY registrar took 48 hours to update, i used this company. As they refresh ever 15 minutes...so for me, if i needed to switch registrars, servers (or even hosts)...i could do it on the fly.

I never had a problem with their services, and its very reasonably priced.

I believe i pay around 30 bucks a year for the service and can do up to 50 different domains.

(I don't work for them and am not an affiliate....i just am a happy long term customer with them)

We recommend that our clients manage their own domains.

We provide the interface and they are free to host with us or with any other hosting company.

I know that some hosting companies try to use the domains to hold customers hostage but that makes no sense to us.

Who would want to hold a disgruntled customer hostage and just make matters worse?

Clive

Tell me about it, it's the most common issue we face when taking on new clients who are disgruntled with their current host.
Providing you are named as the domain owner transfer the domain to another registrar such as GoDaddy, they are quite helpful in helping to sort out these transfers if you talk to them.

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I agree with jawn_tech. We currently do exactly what you are talking about with a third party DNS but that is because we are a web development firm with redundant co-location facilities and the third party monitors all sites and automatically rolls the web to a backup if there is a problem. However, we tell our customers to either register their own domain or we do it for them IN THEIR NAME and give them the username and password.

Like our customers, you do not have to go so far as a third party DNS, since I assume you do not have multiple web servers out there. Just register with a quality registrar (GoDaddy is good) and then all you have to do is go in and change your name servers if you want your hosting company to handle the DNS or use the "Complete DNS Control"
feature and and route to the hosting server's IP address yourself. Either way, you retain control and can move away at any time.

By the way, since the big registrars and ISPs update name servers within 15 minutes now instead of the old 48 hours, if you are not experienced with DNS let the hosting company deal with it since you can change to another company's name servers PDQ.

There are some very good reasons for keeping your hosting and domain names separate.

What happens if your host goes out of business?

More common, the host service degrades over time.

It's quite common for us to get a new website client who has their hosting and domain in the same place, it can be a nightmare to sort out. Also many web companies go bust leaving the client in no mans land.

I now get the client to buy their domain name directly, so they always own it, and control it.

Something that I think is VERY important, whoever you choose to manage your domains.......I good control panel! It'll save you a lot of future hassle.

One more tip, try calling the tech support of the company your are thinking of using, before you use them. That way you'll find out how good their customer support is. Sales lines are always answered and staffed well, tech support can be different.

Oh, and no telephone number, don't use them.

Hope this helps,

Robert

If the domain name is registered in your name. Have you tried going to godady and transfering the domain name to them?

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* SLMR v2.0 * Have many Nice days

I have tried transfering the domain to bravenet but they cannot do anything without the nameservers being switched over. Godaddy could help switch? Thanks for your help.

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The Graphics Shoppe~2000+ Commercial Use Graphics!
http://thegraphicsshoppeclub.com

GoDaddy can help you transfer the domain to them, once there you can update name servers to those of your host.

There's no need to change name servers just to move the domain to a new registrar name server changes are only for changing web hosting companies.

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maemae - pm me the old domain, i will see what i can find out about it for you

This is what you do, BUT you have to have access to the OLD registration to release it for transfer. I took over a non-profit hosting service that had purchased registration for users. I had to have access to the OLD registrar to move the domains to my account on GoDaddy.

I use DirectNic.com, they let you change the nameserver settings any time, and easily.

They also offer redirect of a URL (frames or no frames) to any subdirectory on any of your sites. This is really good if you have a main site, with multiple products... you can get the name www.product1.com, and point that url to product#1, and so on. That way, you can market or guide customers to a particular product page via it's own URL.

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You only need the authorisation code from the loosing registrar, maemae already knows who they are so while they will not give control panel access to modify name server they will almost always give the authorisation code providing your details are on the domain name and those details are current.

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No way would I give control of a domain and website to a single third party entity. For all practical purposes, access is equivalent to ownership. Right now I'm involved in a battle to hold onto one of my best domains. The email address I used when I registered it (ten years ago) has been defunct for several years, and I am no longer located at the same address I gave when I registered this domain.
The domain - which is up for renewal in a couple of months - was passed from the company I registered it with to Network Solutions. I can't renew it because my contact details have changed; and NS have rejected proof of identity (eg, a copy of my passport) as proof of my ownership of the domain. In effect, the domain is now owned by the entity that has access to the whois - ie, Network Solutions.
In real terms, ownership comes down to contact and access details, not to personal identity. Which means that any third party having control of these details can hijack the domain (or go out of business and pass control to a different company).

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Kate Lennon
Links Manager

Firstly like everyone else, I find keeping domain registration and hosting with two different providers best. At its simplest, it can be really hard to find any company that is red hot at both! I notice several references to various domain registrars so far. Personally, I find 123-reg the best UK registrar (although I also use them for other domain extensions). Not only are they reasonably priced but there domain management tools are comprehensive and easy to use. Even their framed forwarding for real cheapo hosting does not include any advertising - to all intents and purposes invisible to all but the cognoscenti.

Most domain registrars allow the reseller (hosting company) to provide a login for you to manage your domain so it really doesn't matter. You just need to be smart.

1) Always make sure the owner and admin contact information is set with your current information. If you let an old Email address expire, it's really your fault.
2) Ask the host to setup an account for you to have access to your domain. Most good domain registrars have this.

There are some advantages to having the hosting company manage your domain:

1) Let them handle the technical details when needed and you dont need to go back and forth between your domain support and hosting company support

2) Most hosting companies provide you with a free domain name when you host with them so you save money.

3) In most cases, your domain is renewed automatically by the hosting company so you dont have to worry about it.

My company, ClickSoft, automatically renew's domain names so you will never have to worry about losing it. As long as our customer's continue to host with us, their domain is paid.

Alot of our customer's don't even know it costs money to register a domain! They simply pay us to handle those details - worry free.

Let me pile on here. Never use the same company you use to host to also register your domain! I agree with many here that GoDaddy is an excellent registrar. They're inexpensive, they offer many features and they have great customer service.

Don't allow yourself to be tempted by "free" domain offers from web hosts. Read the fine print (terms of service) before you register a domain. They want to "bundle" you. It makes it easier for them to trap you. If the hosting service sucks, you may not be able (allowed) to point to a new host.

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DrTandem's San Diego Web Page Design, drtandem.com

Great advice folks!

I teach Web Marketing and Design at a local adult learning center. Most of my students are small business folk trying to figure out what having a web site means. I spend about a half hour telling them horror story after horror story about domain registrations gone bad - from my own experiences with clients. I always end it with the moral: "Register your own domain name. Don't let anyone else do it. Don't let it get into anyone else's account."

Personally, I won't register a domain name for anyone. I will sit there and hold their hand while they do it, but I won't put my hands on it.

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http://thecomputergal.com

Worst I've ever seen is a domain refuse to accept updates to the name server records, client asked us about it we tell them what to ask the registrar problem solved.

There's two things mentioned in this thread one is to use a registrar such as GoDaddy but point the domain to the hosts name servers, this is what I'd recommend as now the host can look after the details of IP allocation and updates, sub-domains etc.

The other thing that's been mentioned is to use a 3rd party such as DNS Made Easy and bypass the hosts name servers, a service such as this does give greater control and allows for automatic fail over but also requires much more knowledge as you are responsible for updates to DNS information. Also any changes the host makes will be delayed until you update your records.

So registrar + using the hosts name servers isn't going to be generating any major issues.
How much do they charge for you to get control of the domain and move it else where when you're not happy with their hosting?

A few years back I came across a case with a free domain, if memory serves it was £80 to have the "free" domain released early.

For the cost of a domain through GoDaddy/123-Reg.co.uk etc it's just not worth the risk.

If you're short on money look for the GoDaddy discount codes.
The registrar sends you a reminder email, you pay the bill, not exactly rocket science and for a little extra time you get peace of mind.

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I'm based in europe, uk to be precise. i always keep hosting and domains separate. I have used Domain Name Registration - .EU Registrar - European and UK Domain Names - Europe-DNS's domain registration and advanced dns features for many years. It's good for me primarily because it's so easy to use and quick to modify dns as and when i need to.

I actually had to move host a while back and this made it so much easier. Just applied the new host profile to all domains (after adding the domains and xfering the data on the new host ) and that was it. simple.

Yes. You can simply register your domain names with any of the registrar available in the internet.

As for me, I am using namecheap for many years now and they do give good service. I am also hosting for some companies and do not have problems like what you are facing. Well, it will really depend on whether you find yourself a good hosting provider. Nevertheless, it is good to register yourself with a registrar instead of hosting provider. I don't mean all hosting providers are bad but at times you might encounter them as I had before. So now I am doing my own hosting for my clients.

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I wholeheartedly recomend keeping domian names and hosting with different companies. Web hosts have an obvious interest to drag their feet when it comes to transferring domain names. I have one client that hosts and registers domain names w/ "visionhead" We wanted to transfer one to a godaddy account it took 3 weeks! The site was down the entire time.

Another client had an account w/ Yahoo web hosting and a domain name. He cancelled the web hosting account when he discovered their e-commerce solution was uber uber lame and now they won't even let us access the domain name in any way to even point the nameservers to another web host. Implying (but not out-right saying) they own the domain not us.

etc. etc.

I recomend godaddy for domain name registration (but not web hosting, they're not exactly top notch n that dept.)

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Take a break and watch some stupid video clips

Portability and choices never hurt any one…!

Although we have all of our domains registered with Daddy – I have my hosting spread across several providers – this allow me to cater the hosting provider to our customers needs…!

…for example there is no need to pay for Windows ASP.NET 3.0 for a static HTML page..!

Over the years we have figured out that each hosting provider has its unique corks. I have yet to find somebody that is strong across the board – but then again Today all we do is .NET oriented so our visibly is some what limited on the other side of the fence…

So long as the Domain Name is registered in your name, and locked so that you and only you have authority over it, you have effective control, regardless of who's hosting your site.

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The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com

Couldn't delete... whoops.

At the end of the day where your domain name resides is neither here nor there as long as it is with a reputable company. What is important is saving time!

Hosts are a dime a dozen and finding a good can be difficult therefore if you have to move you want to do it as quickly as possible. Having your domain with a dns company simply means you login, point the domain in question to your new host and you are done.

That part of the job is then over and doen with quick smart without stuffing around with transfers.

Remember for SEO purposes to register you domain for a minimum of 3 years, 5 if possible.


Cheers, Chris.

"Most domain registrars allow the reseller (hosting company) to provide a login for you to manage your domain so it really doesn't matter. You just need to be smart.
1) Always make sure the owner and admin contact information is set with your current information. If you let an old Email address expire, it's really your fault."

Not so. The domain I'm about to lose (because I can't renew it) was registered using an email address from a company that went out of business (this was a fairly large company that seemed reliable at the time). Now, ten years later, I can't renew this domain (which has a very successful PR5 website running on it that has taken me a decade to develop and promote) because my contact details are not the same as the ones I used when I registered the domain. The company I registered the domain with went out of the registration business and unloaded its existing customers onto Network Solutions. So now, even though the domain is registered in my name, and I can prove my identity, this is useless because I can't access the domain settings to update my contact details, and NS will only send the login info to the (defunct) email address I used when I originally registered the domain. So, in real terms, the domain "belongs" to my contact details, and not to *me*. In other words, access is OWNERSHIP. Which is why it isn't a good idea to use a third party to control the registrations of domains and host their DNS. Things can go badly wrong, no matter how much care you take - as they have in the case I've outlined.

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Kate Lennon
Links Manager

Hmmm.

I recently had a similar situation with Network Solutions, re. a client's account which had been registered in the name of a consultant with whom they no longer do business and could not be contacted. NS allowed, with proof of ownership and ID faxed to them, for a complete change of Registration, including the use of a current e-mail address.

Either I got very lucky; or you, unlucky.

I suggest that you re-contact NS and try to gain their co-operation.

If that fails, you can place a BackOrder for your domain name, so that, when the current registration expires, you stand 1st in line to buy it.

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The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com

Maintaining the domains separate from your hosting is the SMARTEST MOVE any webmaster can take. I have all domains with $9.45 Domain Registrations, PayPal and Credit Cards Accepted - NameAlerts.com and all I have to do is change the DNS redirections.

Also, I wish to post for the sake of those that may have their webistes hosted with Onsmart.net, that they will be closing in March. I have ALL my sites hosted with Onsmart--so its "a good thing" [quoting Martha Stewart], that my addresses are with NameAlerts.

Nanette Zambrana

Why?

Before you answer, please take the time to read all of the earlier posts here, and note that not all agree with your categorical statement.

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The Penn State Ticket Man http://www.pennstateticketman.com
http://www.happyvalleytickets.com http://www.hounddogtours.com

Domain names should not be bound to hosting providers. As a website grows, the required hosting resources increase. Some websites need dedicated hosting at maturity. The domain is related and sometimes identifies with the website's brand name and image.

For our customers we created a master affiliate account with an important register. Each customer can change the name servers from his own domain control panel as he wishes. We keep the domain registration prices low and forward all good offers as this is secondary business and contributes to the popularity of our website and services among webmasters. Currently there's an offer for $6.95 COMs and $1.99 INFOs +.25$ ICANN fee (More on our Blog: Datetopia Blog - Dating Software for Online Services: $6.95/.COM $1.99/.INFO Domain Registration ).

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Dating Software, Web Video Chat Software, Matchmaking Software w. VideoChat.

There is no cardinal rule to have domain and hosting on separate service provider accounts. It depends on the credibility and repute of the service provider. I know some domain resellers who do not allow clients to transfer their domains to anoother service providers. The customers are stuck with hgh rates and lousy service.

Our firm has a very transparent system. Our Domain control panle provides excellent DNS management system along with real time registratrant / contact name updations. The DNS servers are robust and update DNS changes very fast.

We provide domain registration along with FTP / Db / Email Hosting. Most of our clients do everything through us only.

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Sanjay Verma, M/s. Sanver E-Solutions Private Limited, Mumbai, India
Linux Hosting | Windows Hosting | SugarCRM Hosting

Since 10 year I am doing so. I have more than 500 domains most are hosted by Pair.com (great service!) and registered they are via Domaindiscover.com $8 per year. I tried a few solutions hosting and domain in the same place, never came out good - expiriences like you.

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//Rudi
www.sky-tours.com - www.hotelsupermarket.com - www.happy-cars.com

That may not be true, it depends on host you go with and reputation of you host. If you are with a host who will give you freedom for your domains then you will not face any problem while you transfer your domain at other end.
So do check before paying any host/registrar about their domain policies.

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Managed Dedicated server || Reseller Hosting