Your Domain Name - Do Not Lose It!

Being in the web design business for over 10 years, I meet a lot of business owners who are ready to take a leap into the Internet marketing world or maybe they wanted to update their current site.  After we sit down and talk about how we can help we get to the conversation about the DOMAIN NAME. Suddenly there is a big gulp from the other side of the table.  "Where is my information about my domain name?"  "My web guy has that information, I think."  "I know I own it, right?"  "I bought the name a year ago form some company, how do I find out?"

Then the fun begins.  At this time I am explaining to the owner how there is an account that we need to acces for the domain to point to the website.  I look on the WHO IS registry and there is the sinking feeling about the domain name.  I turn my laptop over to the owner and say, "Do you know this person or company?"  The owner says, "Yes, he/she did my site."  Or "I paid them to do my site."  Then I respond, "They own YOUR Company's domain name, NOT YOU."  This is a very tough spot for the owner.  

Here is what happened, typically.  The owner did pay the web person for the site but the web person used their credit card and information to buy the domain name.  They filled in their information in the section of the Administrator/OWNER.  So now they have the rights to the name, login information, account, etc.   So the business owner has to get permission from that web person to do anything with that website, e mails and the name. It's basically in my opinion ID THEFT!  So what do you do to avoid this?

To check if you own your domain go to www.checkdomain.com and look at the administrative contact information.  If it is not you then get that fixed! Call your webmaster and make them change the information and make sure you can access the account so that you are not pinned down to that company if you choose to leave.  If you have trouble with the person you may have to take legal action (this is not fun).  If you bought the name yourself and do not have access to the account then call the company listed on the Technical Contact information.  If the Customer Service is bad then Transfer your Domain Name to a company like GoDaddy.com.  

For start up companies you can do the following: First, go to a reputable company like GoDaddy.com and buy your Domain Name with your own credit card! It's very easy and the best part is you own it!  DO NOT LET THE COMPANY BUY IT FOR YOU!  Secondly, keep all the information about the account in a very safe place so that you can get access easily to the name if something needs to be changed later or if you need to move.

These simple steps will avoid delays and possible legal headaches.