hosting and domain reg recommendations

[cbscreative]

I've read numerous complaints of the same scenario, bill. As long as you're happy, David, you may never have a problem, but trying to move the domain to another host could get you the run around.

[Business Attorney]

I've read numerous complaints of the same scenario, bill. As long as you're happy, David, you may never have a problem, but trying to move the domain to another host could get you the run around.

Hmm, maybe just for fun I'll move a domain from 1&1 to GoDaddy or some other registrar to see what happens.

As far as really ever needing to move the domain itself, as long as they are cheaper on their annual fee than any other registrar, I am not sure why I would need to switch registrars. I can change the name server information myself from the admin panel (and have done so on several occasions). Several of the domains for which 1&1 is the registrar already are hosted for me by other companies and the transition took minutes.

I should mention, though, that the $6.99 does come with one downside. There is no free "push" even from one account of mine to another. I have bought existing websites registered with GoDaddy, NameCheap and one other registrar I can't remember right now. Pushing the domain from one account holder to another was free in every case. 1&1 charges a small transfer fee ($6.99 for a .com). Interestingly, however, there is NO fee for transferring the domain to another registrar.

[billbenson]

They may have changed their act after a bunch of bad PR? In any case, this is a good reason not to register a domain with your host. Keep them separate and be sure you can move, unlock, etc your domain through a control panel. They certainly have played the game I described above in the past.

[cbscreative]

That could be interesting. The power of the information age prevailing and causing companies with bad business practices to change their ways. You can't help but love that.

[billbenson]

Change their ways or just act like it?

[cbscreative]

Probably the latter, but I prefer optimism. Fortunately, free enterprise is mostly self-cleansing given enough time. It's true that as one dirtbag gets pounded back into the ground, another one rises to take their place, but that's just the way the game is played.

[conniebensen]

Hi I am Connie at Network Solutions. Network Solutions does not engage in the practice you refer to here of holding domain names. ICANN, the body that governs domain registrars, put into affect a new resolution to end it. We actually blogged about it..

As to the friend who could transfer his domain, please let me know if we can help. This should not happen.

[cbscreative]

That's an interesting blog, and I love the colors. It also served as a reminder to me about some of the abuse going on that registrars have to deal with.

One thing mentioned that I found stood out to me is the practice of locking domain names in limbo after someone has performed a search. I have many times warned everyone who searches for an available domain name to buy immediately because this happens. As the blog points out, it can happen in as little as a matter of minutes. It's not the subject of this thread, but it's something everyone should know when seeking an available domain name.

Now I just have to wonder, how exactly is connie related to you bill? *Just kidding*

[billbenson]

a few interesting links:

Network Solutions Suddenly Opposed To Domain Hijacking

NetworkSolutions Domain Name Scam ~ Scam Busters Blog

[cbscreative]

Thanks for those links, bill, it certainly helps confirm what I have observed happening. I may not have pointed the finger at NS, but I have definitely seen the pattern and I think many others use this same strategy. The test run on your second link is especially interesting after the patterns I have seen. I've not run these kinds of tests to see who is doing what, but I have long suspected something just like this.