Do You Own Your Domain Name?

So, you’ve contracted with a company to build your web site. During the process, they go ahead and get a domain name for you so that you can have www.mycompany.com. The web site is finished and launched, perhaps flawlessly, and you’re good to go. Right?

Think again.

All too often, web design and hosting companies register domains for their clients in their name. They put ABC Hosting Co. as the primary domain registrant. What does that mean? It means that you don’t own the domain and have little, if any, control over it.

Why web design and hosting companies engage in this unethical practice remains a mystery. The most likely reason is that they want a card up their sleeve should you decide you want to switch hosting companies.

In order to move your web site anywhere else, you need to be able to access your domain name. If your company is not the registrant, then you have no authority to make these necessary changes. The result is that you’re stuck with your current provider that you’re trying to get away from.

Unfortunately, the recourse you can take to get custody of your domain can be long and tediious. The best thing to do is to fix the problem before it becomes a problem:

• Find out if you own your domain name. You can do this by using a WHOIS checker such as the one at GoDaddy.
• So, you don’t actually own your domain name. Get in contact with your service provider. Tell them nicely that you would like to change the "Registrant" to reflect your company’s contact information.
• Avoid anger. Your service provider registered your domain in their name. It’s wrong and it shouldn’t have happened. However, avoid sending nasty notes to your service provider. The key is to be amicable. Save the nasty notes as a last resort.
• Avoid the problem in the future. If you need a new domain name, have a reputable service provider with a proven track record register the domain, or register it yourself.
• Keep track of your domain assets. If you’re a company with numerous domains, make sure you keep track of them. Maintain a document or spreadsheet listing out your various domain properties.