How to register domain name?

Paddy (Patrick) · #1 27-08-2010, 05:01 PM

What's the best way to register a domain name and are there any pitfalls or shonky operators to be aware of?

multiweb (Marc) · #2 27-08-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

What's the best way to register a domain name and are there any pitfalls or shonky operators to be aware of?

Yep - plenty of chonky joes out there. Go to a reputable registrar: I use melbourneit, there are also network solutions, etc...

kustard (Simon) · #3 27-08-2010, 05:16 PM

Just a few things to be prepared for, when you register a domain you also have to have hosting for said domain.

I've used MelbourneIT for my old work (we hosted our own domains on our own servers) but for my personal site I use a company based in the US (mainly because they are cheaper and I didn't need a .au domain) called pairnic.com, they also provide webhosting via pair.com.

Octane (Humayun) · #4 27-08-2010, 05:37 PM

+1 for MelbourneIT.

Expensive, but, they're a reputable company.

H

OzRob (Rob) · #5 27-08-2010, 06:16 PM

An easy option is to find a good hosting company and use their services to register a domain name. Some hosting companies include one or more name registrations as part of the package. Unless your want a .au domain overseas hosting is much better value. At least it was when I was looking around a couple of years ago.

multiweb (Marc) · #6 27-08-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzRob

An easy option is to find a good hosting company and use their services to register a domain name. Some hosting companies include one or more name registrations as part of the package. Unless your want a .au domain overseas hosting is much better value. At least it was when I was looking around a couple of years ago.

I'd advise to get the domain separate. A few hosting companies register the domain name to themselves and you're stuck if you want to migrate the website somewhere else. I think it's wrong. A domain should be registered to the registrant name regardless who buys it. They still foot the bill. Hosting and domain rego are two separate things. People don't always realise that.

OzRob (Rob) · #7 27-08-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

I'd advise to get the domain separate. A few hosting companies register the domain name to themselves and you're stuck if you want to migrate the website somewhere else. I think it's wrong. A domain should be registered to the registrant name regardless who buys it. They still foot the bill. Hosting and domain rego are two separate things. People don't always realise that.

That is why I specifically stated a 'good hosting company'...

joshhagger (Josh) · #8 27-08-2010, 08:34 PM

At work, we used to resell from MelbourneIT, but now we use TPPInternet, they have good prices & good support.

Regards,
Josh

snowyskiesau · #9 27-08-2010, 09:36 PM

I got my .net.au domains via webcity.com.au. (was Enetica)

$22.50 for 2 years plus $3.95 for DNS management.
Domains are registered in my name.

Price may vary depending on what top level domain you want to register under. i.e. .com, .com.au etc.

mithrandir (Andrew) · #10 27-08-2010, 10:27 PM

.net and .com names are much cheaper than anything .au.

My .net domain is with GoDaddy and has been for years. They are cheap and so far have been totally reliable. ZoneEdit hosts the forward for me. My ISP hosts the reverse zone.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #11 28-08-2010, 07:40 AM

Alright now we are on this subject....

I need to get email hosting as my provider internet is useless and too expensive. If I get this I can move internet provider and keep the same email name etc.

Is it better to lets say go for a small web hosting plan that provides emails as well or just email hosting?

If I do web hosting does that register the domain as well?

Thinking of: Jumba; VentraIP; or Webcity..aka cheap plans.

Any one with thoughts on this good or bad gladly accepted.

Barrykgerdes · #12 28-08-2010, 07:43 AM

Do you need to pay for these things.
Mine dosen't cost me anything. I suppose someone else pays for it.

Barry

Moon (James) · #13 28-08-2010, 09:09 AM

If you are after a .com.au address then I offer +1 vote for Unlimited space. A local server is handy if you want to be able to upload/download huge TIFF or FITS files.

For a .com address there are a lot more choices. It's probably not a good idea to look for the absolute rock bottom price - pay a little bit more and get reliable service and performance. I'm currently using Dream host

James

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #14 28-08-2010, 09:59 AM

I know there are free hosting but as I want guarantee that my email name remains in the future..thus looking to register email domain at least.

James ..that host is around what I'm looking at ..cost that is. Thanks.

I suspect that if I go to web hosting I'll have to keep it going forever...not to loose email hosting names? Is this correct?

edit:

I suspect I can only register as an ".id" address..not a ".com" as it's not commercial.

Paddy (Patrick) · #15 28-08-2010, 10:15 AM

Thanks all for your very helpful replies!

mithrandir (Andrew) · #16 28-08-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

I know there are free hosting but as I want grantee that my email name remains in the future..thus looking to register email domain at least.

James ..that host is around what I'm looking at ..cost that is. Thanks.

I suspect that if I go to web hosting I'll have to keep it going forever...not to loose email hosting names? Is this correct?

As long as you keep paying the registration renewal fee you can keep a domain indefinitely. You can have the forward zone point where ever you want. If you want to use your own servers for sending email the reverse zone must work too and point at the same addresses. If you are having them hosted, check the reputation of the hosting company. A couple of them are in my black hole lists because they do not have or enforce anti-spamming policies.

Quote:

suspect I can only register as an ".id" address..not a ".com" as it's not commercial.

That's not true. .com and .net are both 1st come 1st served. I have a .net "vanity" domain and would have picked up the .com but it was already taken. Other than somebody claiming it to be illegal or obscene, domain squatting is about the only thing you could cause you to lose it. They'd probably have to take you to court to try and enforce it, with all the associated negative publicity.

com.au requires a relationship between the domain and the company. e.g. the company name, a trademarked product. .net.au have some of the same rules.

snowyskiesau · #17 28-08-2010, 12:50 PM

As mithrandir pointed out, there are some rules regarding eligibility for domain names.

The .au top level domain is managed by AUDA. This organisation don't sell domain names (they're not a registrar) but do enforce the rules.
There's a policy document (PDF) for the .au TLD here. There is also a list of accredited registrars at the auDA website.

The easiest way to comply with the business requirements is to get an ABN (single trader). It one of the few things you can get free from the government.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #18 28-08-2010, 04:18 PM

Thanks gents

Tandum (Robin) · #19 29-08-2010, 02:23 AM

I'm on http://www.justhost.com/ with about 6 domains on the same account. Unlimited everything as it's US based. I couldn't get the DNS control I wanted there so I use ZoneEdit.com for tricky domain work and point the webspace there.

OICURMT · #20 29-08-2010, 02:41 PM

I use GoDaddy.com (US based)

Great support, cheap pricing.

OIC!