Domain tips for Beginners

In my country, Fiji Islands, 80% of the population never had access to the internet. Out of the other 20% having the “luxury” of internet access, only a few (you can count this number using your fingers) know anything about domain names. Local domain registrars have capitalized on this lack of awareness and priced domain name registration to as much as $US100 per year.  In fact, one locally based registrar charges $US50 for .info’s…a clear exploitation of business ethics. Nevertheless, the worst part is not the price… but the fact that, despite the incredibly cheap alternatives available, business and individuals still pay these exorbitant prices. Plus, to top that off, the registrars lock these domains, so that it cannot be transferred.

I was lucky to have been exposed to the domaining industry before setting up my online projects. As a result, I had to spend a fraction of what locals are spending in my country to own a domain name. The purpose of this post, therefore, is to outline two important tips (probably the two most important!) for new domainers, which will help them avoid the headaches of domain handling at a later stage.

Secure your valuable domains

If you possess a high quality, very much sought after domain name, take steps to register it for several years. It is better to own a single, premium domain name registered for multiple years rather than own a truckload of unprofitable domains, each registered for only a year. In one of my earlier posts, I explained how people go after valuable expiring domains. These people include domain registrars, in fact; it may be your own registrar. There have been cases where some domain registrars locked domain names as soon as they expire and demanded premium prices for renewal. To avoid getting sued, I am not mentioning any names here; however, you may google for this information and check out the story behind these unethical practices.

Consolidate your Domain purchase with a single company

Keeping all your domains with one company, even if it means spending a few extra dollars, is a good first practice for any domainer. Of course, you may want this company to be reliable, trustworthy and have a strong customer relations reputation. Many internet marketing newbies confuse themselves with the terms; reliability and brand names. Just because a registrar is recognized as the number one in the industry does not mean it is reliable. Godaddy and Network Solutions, the big two in the domain industry, have their fair share of anti-movements. On the same note, you may be lucky to search out an anti Name.com or an anti Namecheap.com website. And even if you find one, chances are high that a trace back will lead to one of the employees of Godaddy or even Bob Parson. Hehe!

In summary

Ok, why did I emphasize on having a single domain registrar? Simple! Maintaining active domains on several registrars can become a daunting task for a sole online entrepreneur. It may not seem too bad if you have a couple of domain names to your name, but as your domain portfolio increases, expect the work to extrapolate. Imagine owning a hundred domains spread over several registrars. Indeed it will prove quite difficult to keep a tab on all these domain names.

In addition, different domain registrars have different operation policies, which can lead to further hassle in organizing your domain collection. Confusing TOS and AUP between registrars can lead to enormous problems; even to the extent of surrendering your domain names!

It may seem enticing to click the checkout button on a registrar’s site that may shave 50% off when compared to another registrar.  However, think for a while. Is it worth saving those five bucks, only to regret later on?

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