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When it comes to registering a domain name I always suggest to any business or individual to do register their domain them self. When I suggest this to someone I always here, “I was hoping you could just take care of everything for me.” Many companies or individuals will do this for you, often not even suggest you do it yourself, however please don’t allow them to and do it yourself.

Let me explain.

By you registering your domain by yourself you can be assured that the domain is actually owned by you or your company.  If you let someone else register the domain for you they will actually be the owner of the domain. You don’t want Joe Blow to be the owner of yourdomain.com, do you?

I’ve encountered many companies that have wanted to leave their current web developer or host and come to me.  I’ll explain that we simply need to make a change at where their domain is registered and we’ll be good to go. 
Well, many times the domain is registered to their old web development company or someone that they have lost contact with over the years.  In cases like this we need to go through a lot of extra headache and steps just to be able to  get the site moved and updated. 
Best case scenario the company or individual just goes in and unlocks the domain to allow it to be transferred into your name (still a bit of extra hassle that could have been avoided). 
Worst case scenario: you can’t get a hold of the company or individual to unlock the domain so it can be transferred to you.  You then have to contact the domain registrar and send them documentation proving you actually are the rightful owner of the domain or even worse the company or individual claims it is their domain and holds it hostage not allowing you to move anywhere else. You then have to get legal involved, nightmare.

So please, if you are thinking about hiring someone to build a website for you, do yourself a favor and register the domain yourself first.  Head over to GoDaddy search for you domain and then purchase it.  No need to buy any of the extra stuff they pitch you, just get the domain in your name. You’ll thank yourself in the future.

Does anyone have any horror stories or cases they have ran into where the domain was not registered in the rightful owners name?

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