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Domain Name Registration Hub
Interface
This is the layout of the website and how easy it is for you to navigate on the site. The layout should be user friendly and logically; you do not want to spend your precious time searching for the information on how to change your name servers for example.
Value for money
While a dot com registration will probably cost you about US$8,00 and a dot net should cost around US$5,00. You should also bear in mind that some companies will tempt you with introduction offers in the first year, however when it comes to renew your domains the annual fee will be substantially more.
Security
There have been well publicised stories of domain name accounts been hijacked and of domain names been transferred to another account without the account holders knowledge. In all fairness the security features of most of the domain name registration companies are more than sufficient to deal with account hijacks. Generally what lets security down is the human element, the user. There is no denying that security starts and ends with you. So do not disclose your password to anyone, do not store you password information on your computer and if you use a shared computer do not auto save your login details.
Add on features
These are value added features, some of which may be chargeable. Add on features can be further divided into the following key elements;
- Ability to Buy and Sell Domains
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Account manager allocation
- Domain Name transfer process
- WhoIs privacy
- Domain parking
- Bulk domain registration
- Escrow services
- Backorder domain names
Ability to Buy and Sell Domains
Most domain names registration companies offer they own versions of the aftermarket. Most of the companies will act as domain broker and escrow agent which protects both the buyer and seller in the domain name transactions.
This is probably the most important add on feature, nothing can substitute the ability to get in touch with the company as and when you need to. Sometimes things go wrong and when they do it is important for the issue to be resolved in a timely manner.
This is someone who you deal with consistently in all issues relating to your account, and the theory is that that person knows the ins and outs of your account and history.
When the need to transfer a domain name from one customer to another arises, as it will no doubt do; then this process should be seamless. It is important for both parties for the transfer service to be as quick and as simple as possible.
Whois Privacy means that your personal information is kept private to the public. The domain name registration company will be listed as the Registrant; however you still control the domain and retain the full ownership of the domain name. Whois privacy protects your information from spammers and scammers.
Domain name parking allows you to have a live page with targeted adverts place on it; there is also the added benefit that you can earn money from clicks on your web page.
This means you can register domain names in bulk. There may the added incentive of getting discounts for bulk registrations.
Escrow services reduce the risk of fraud of any kind. It protects the seller and the buyer. In a nutshell, the escrow company is a trusted third party in the transaction that collects, holds and disburses money and the domain name during the transaction. Therefore the buyer and seller are protected during the domain transfer of ownership.
Back order domain name services also know as drop catching comes in two variations firstly you can backorder domain names that have expired and are about to become available on the open market. Secondly you can backorder names that are current with the hope that the domain name owner will not renew the registration.
The domain name registration space is crowded sometimes it can hard to distinguish between the established pros and the fly by night cowboys or cowgirls for that matter. Read our review of domain name registration companies for a balanced unbiased viewpoint.
Deciding which company you will use to register your domain names with, is probably one of the most important decisions you will make. Domain name registration service providers are not equal.
You need to do your homework, as you do not want to register your domain name with a company that disappears next week.
You need to take into account the following 4 factors when deciding which company to register your domain name with;
- Interface
- Value for money
- Security features
- Add on services