It was in 1998 that Network Solutions lost its government sanctioned hold as the sole registrar of domain names. While it still retains the management of the root registry, there are now other registrars out there competing for a share of this big business. These registrars have their own interface, prices, terms and conditions, and support.
The domain name registrars have the access and can modify domain name database that contains the records of all the domain names registered. The regulating body that is overseeing the domain name industry is the ICANN. It is the organization tasked to certify and accredit companies as domain name registrars.
How to Choose a Domain Name Registrar
Choosing your domain name registrar is somewhat similar to a web hosting service provider. Your choice is important and you should choose carefully.
When choosing, you have to consider the following;
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Competitive Pricing
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Technical Support
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ICANN certified
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Positive Reviews
Tricks to Watch out For
Sometimes, a prospective client falls prey to some underhanded ploy of some unscrupulous companies who are out to rip off their customers. It is essential that you know this practices so that you can avoid them when you see one.
Transfer-Out Fees – Be wary of hidden fees in the terms and conditions that would charge you to transfer your domain name to another registrar. The amount might be several times higher than the annual registration. This is resorted to by some domain name registrar to discourage you from taking your business elsewhere.
Small Print Trickery
Most of us ignore to read the fine prints of a contract, but you should. There might be some horrors or surprises hidden in the small prints of your TOS.
You Pay, Your Registrar Doesn’t
A trickery employed by some registrar is to persuade you to pay multiple year registration, usually by offering a discount. You expect that your domain is registered and secure for the next three to five years. In most cases, your domain name registrar may not have made the full payment.
What these companies usually do is pay the registry fee for just one year and put the remaining money in their own bank account to earn interest, or worse, use it to support the company’s cash flow.
Whois Edit Fees and Locks
Every time a domain name is registered, a Whois record is created. It has all the information and is a record of your ownership. You are offered free access to these records so that you can change them whenever you want. Some companies charge administration fee to make changes. Some also lock your domain every time you make a change. This is done as a security check to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Domain Name Slamming
Beware of this trick by unscrupulous companies. These companies send out renewal notices to owners of domain that are about to expire. If you unwittingly sign and send money in response, it virtually initiates a domain name transfer away from your chosen company to this new company.
Domain Name Locks
To prevent domain slamming, most registrars offer a domain locking service so your domain is protected from unauthorized transfers. Make sure, however, that you have control over locking and unlocking your domain names as some registrar use this feature to their advantage. This might prevent you to transfer your domain to other companies if you don’t have access to domain name locks.
