One of the biggest decisions in owning and operating a website for your business is your choice of a Domain Name. A Domain Name is one like www.washingtonks.com. A Domain Name reflects you and what you do.
The next biggest choice is WHO is going to register it, or in essence, "buy" it from a registrar such as Go Daddy or Network Solutions. And that may entail WHO is going to control it or possibly own it. It's akin to allowing someone else to administer your PIN for your ATM card. Do you absolutely trust someone else to administer your business name on the internet?
There are many, many examples of Domain Name "kidnapping". Here's an example of how this happens. Many business owners got into the internet when it first took off in the late 1990's. They hired a computer professional or webmaster to create a website and register a Domain Name for them. Years went by and the relationship between the client and Webmaster soured. The business now wants to make a website overhaul and work with a different company. The old webmaster is difficult or unreponsive to your wishes. They have complete access and control over the businesses domain name. With no written documentation between the client, the webmaster, the old web company may have complete control of the "your" name on the internet.
All those years of printing business card, fliers, and advertisements with your domain name is now soley controlled by another. What can they do with "your" internet name? They can easily sell it to your competition and have it automatically forward to their website. Yep, it's done all the time. Hence, a "ransom" is offered. Maybe it's a few hundred or a few thousand dollars but the old webmaster insists you "buy back" your own name. Wow.
So, how do you protect your self?
Your first step is to go with your gut. If you are just starting out with a website, do you trust your webmaster? Get something in writing!!! Specify who owns the domain name, termination fees, transfer fees etc.. Or, just create your own account at a Domain Registrar. (like at Go Daddy.com ) Fill in the Administrative Contact, Registrant, and Technical Contact fields. You'll have to learn a thing or two about changing the DNS or Name Servers or IP forwarding but it is fairly easy. Set up your account to automatically renew on the anniversary date so your registration does not lapse. Some accredited registrars have their own domain name kidnapping schemes. Read and understand the Terms of Service agreement.
Operating a website offers great rewards and your Domain Name is a critical piece in your internet business marketing. But the key is building on a firm and level foundation. Make sure your Domain Name is owned and controlled BY YOU.
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