MMM... New to domains. Tasty

He has: 578 posts

Joined: Jun 2004

So... it's been a while.

I recently registered my first domain for a friend. I registered with godaddy, for 5 years.

The host they signed up for is startlogic. The deal they got only offered to either register a new domain, or transfer an old one. I have a few questions.

1) Do I have to transfer the domain.
2) If I do transfer, do I lose those five years that my friend already payed for?
3) Pointing the nameservers will keep the domain registered at godaddy, and point it at startlogic's servers, no?
4) It's generally better to keep a domain registered with a reputable third party (ie godaddy), and just point it at your servers, no?

I'm sure I missed something in my googling and looking through old posts, so I apologize for starting another thread on something I'm sure gets brought up a ton.

They have: 95 posts

Joined: Nov 2006

Quote: It's generally better to keep a domain registered with a reputable third party (ie godaddy), and just point it at your servers

You've answered your question.

Do not click my links - this might be damage your PC.

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Ask the hosting company about the first two questions. There could be some misunderstanding there ... otherwise they need to get their money back.

Your questions 3 & 4 are correct. You normally want to keep your domain registered at a third company and point the name servers to your hosting account. It sounds like this company is just trying to force you to keep your domain with them. Transferring is usually kind of expensive too - often both hosting companies will charge you for the service (or am I wrong about that? I've only transferred a domain once so I forget...)

greg's picture

He has: 1,581 posts

Joined: Nov 2005

No you dont have to transfer unless the hosting company you use doesnt have options for external nameservers, which I have never heard of so its nota problem (if they dont have that option, btw, go with someone else)

Be careful with godaddy
For most domain names its fine, but there are many reports of godaddy taking domain names off people

That aside, keep godaddy as the registrar and point the NS to your hosting site
You can transfer, and keep the 5 years unless otherwise specified, but really there is no need.

Personally I have always used 123reg.co.uk, and have about 35 domains with them
They have an excellent control panel and various tools and options to manage your account and domain

I have 2 with godaddy, but I wont use them anymore, after readingtoo many bad things about them.

He has: 578 posts

Joined: Jun 2004

Thanks guys. Ya'll helped clear things up very well.

The host has FAQ information regarding pointing nameservers, which I did (and it works), so I'll leave it at that. As far as godaddy, I don't foresee any special circumstances from this domain (shouldn't move or anything), so I'm going to cross my fingers and hope godaddy doesn't make any complications throughout the domain's life time.

Thanks again.

knorr's picture

They have: 171 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

Overall Godaddy is a reputable company and I hope you'll be glad with their services.

They have: 5 posts

Joined: Aug 2007

Godaddy are fine for registering domains. For hosting, you should go somewhere else.

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